DALLAS, April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- United Way
Worldwide gave kudos today to four global corporate leaders who
exemplify innovation in engaging employees and consumers, and
leveraging corporate social responsibility, to help improve
communities across the world.
United Way recognized UPS, John Deere, Kimberly-Clark
Corporation and Wells Fargo at its Community Leaders Conference in
Dallas, before 1,300 people.
"Innovation fuels progress, and these companies are innovators
in more than their lines of business," said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way
Worldwide. "Whether they're involving employees and consumers, or
targeting CSR efforts, they're accelerating community change.
People across the world are benefiting from the passion these
companies exhibit daily. We're fortunate to be their partners."
Some 85 companies were invited to apply for the recognition.
Nearly 21,000 people cast votes online.
UPS and John Deere were recognized for employee engagement, for
their strategies for encouraging employees to volunteer, promote or
donate to United Way-led community solutions.
- UPS (NYSE: UPS) was recognized for its employee
engagement among companies with more than 50,000 U.S. employees.
UPS encourages community service on the part of its employees, who
log nearly 2 million service hours annually. Employees have
pledged to give 20 million hours of volunteer service by 2020. The
company's partnership with United Way goes back 33 years, and was
the first to collectively generate more than $1.3 billion to help United Way improve
education, financial stability and health. Last year,
employees pledged a record of $63.7
million.
- John Deere (NYSE: DE) was recognized for its employee
engagement among companies with less than 50,000 U.S. employees.
Some 2,500 John Deere employees spent a day volunteering as part of
United Way's Day of Caring last year. The company also introduced a
"dollar for doers" program recently, which lets employees earn a
$1,000 grant for an approved charity
at which they've volunteered 40 or more hours in a year. All told,
John Deere employees and their Foundation gave $7 million to support United Way community change
work last year.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Wells Fargo were recognized for
consumer engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility
engagement.
- Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) was recognized for its
consumer engagement in leveraging cause marketing efforts with two
of their brands to engage consumers and raise awareness about
critical issues. The U by Kotex® brand sponsored a week-long United
Way Alternative Spring Break for 25 young college students,
supported by a $150,000 contribution
through its awareness displays at Walmart. And as part of
Underwareness, a three-year effort by the Depend® brand to remove
the stigma of bladder leakage, Kimberly-Clark is donating up to
$1.5 million to United Way's efforts
to promote lifelong active independent living for senior
citizens.
- Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC)
was recognized for corporate social responsibility engagement, or
the way its goals intersect with United Way's and how its support
impacts United Way projects and practices. Wells Fargo
invested $5 million to create a
Financial Capability Network with United Way, providing financial
education, 1-on-1 coaching and more to nearly 9,000 people and
helping some 20,000 people strengthen their financial stability.
Wells Fargo employees are deeply
engaged in United Way's work, with more than 2,500 team members
donating 18,000+ volunteer hours and pledging $70.5 million to United Way last year.
For more information, contact:
Anne Marie Borrego, Director of Media and Public
Relations
United Way Worldwide
annemarie.borrego@uww.unitedway.org
703.836.7112, ext. 321
About United Way Worldwide
With 2.6 million volunteers
and 9.6 million donors worldwide, and more than $5 billion raised every year, United Way is the
world's largest privately-funded nonprofit. We're engaged in nearly
1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories
worldwide to create community solutions that improve life for
everyone. United Way partners include global, national and local
businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and faith organizations,
along with educators, labor leaders, health providers, senior
citizens, students and more. For more information about United Way,
please visit www.UnitedWay.org. Follow us on social media:
@UnitedWay and #uwclc.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150430/213091
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120503/DC00215LOGO-b
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-way-recognizes-corporate-leaders-300075530.html
SOURCE United Way Worldwide