The father of a young Georgia girl battling leukemia shared a touching moment with the youngster as she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment — and it was all caught on camera.

SOURCE:Aflac

DESCRIPTION:

By Zoe Szathmary | Fox News

The father of a young Georgia girl battling leukemia shared a touching moment with the youngster as she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment — and it was all caught on camera. 

In a now-viral video, Brett Thompson scoops up his 2-year-old daughter, Phoenix, and holds her in his arms while they dance together inside a room at the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Read the full article, and watch the video, on the Fox5 website.

About Aflac

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite. Through its trailblazing One Day Pay℠ initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive, process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one business day. In Japan, Aflac is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1 in 4 households. Aflac insurance products help provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide.

Tweet me:.@Fox5KRBK | The father of a young Georgia girl battling #leukemia shared a touching moment with his daughter as she was undergoing #chemotherapy — and it was all caught on camera. http://bit.ly/2OhqLOd @Aflac #childhoodcancer

KEYWORDS: Aflac, Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, childhood cancer, Father Daughter Dance, Brett Thompson, Phoenix Thompson

SOURCE:GRI

DESCRIPTION:

To provide healthy and safe working conditions, organizations need a robust management approach that drives the prevention of physical and mental harm and the promotion of workers’ health. In addition to benefiting workers, it is also good business. First, a healthy workforce is more productive and engaged. Second, promoting a healthy work environment helps to attract – and hold on to – talented workers. 

GRI has recently released an updated version of its widely used GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety reporting standard. It represents the best practice in OH&S reporting, emphasizing measures that prevent injuries and ill health, aligned with key instruments and with the latest trends in OH&S management. To learn more about the process and content of the standard, you can watch this recorded webinar.

Tweet me:Infographic: 5 things you need to know about the new @GRI_Secretariat #GRI403 Occupational Health and Safety standard (and why it matters): http://bit.ly/2O5XI4u

KEYWORDS: GRI, global reporting initiative, GRI Standards, GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards, OHS, occupational health and safety

Eleven years in a row that MetLife is recognized by the Dave Thomas Foundation for being an Adoption Friendly Workplace

SOURCE:MetLife Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, October. 05, 2018  /3BL Media/ - MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced it has ranked 42 on the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s 2018 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List. This is the eleventh year in a row that MetLife has been recognized and the fourth consecutive year ranked #1 in the Insurance Industry. MetLife has been recognized for its employee adoption benefits, parental leave policies and flexible work culture.

Since 2007, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has compiled an annual list of the 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces to recognize employers that offer the best adoption benefits in the United States. The rankings, compiled from an annual survey of U.S. employers, are determined by an analysis of each company’s adoption benefits, including the maximum financial reimbursement and the amount of paid leave provided for employees who adopt.

“We waited many years for our son and he is truly our gift from God. After he was born, my husband and I were surprised to learn that MetLife has this wonderful program that contributed to our expenses,” said Katherine Doti, sales consultant in MetLife’s customer solutions center. “We will always be grateful for MetLife and the gift they gave to our family through the MetLife Adoption Assistance Program.”

MetLife not only offers reimbursement of eligible adoption-related expenses to adopting parents, but all of the same benefits enjoyed by all working families at MetLife, including:

• Flexible work arrangements such as compressed work weeks, part-time work, job-sharing, flextime, virtual work and telecommuting.
• Back-up child care for up to 15 days per child per year when regular care is unavailable, as well as up to 10 percent in child care discounts.
• Counseling, concierge services, research and referrals, employee discounts, seminars, self-assessments, and more.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

# # #

Contact:
Jon Richter
jrichter@metlife.com
212-578-5370

Tweet me:.@MetLife recognized by Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s 2018 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List. Learn how the company's #adoption benefits policies are helping #employees http://bit.ly/2DY8THv

KEYWORDS: NYSE:MET, Dave Thomas Foundation, MetLife, Adoption’s 2018 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces, financial reimbursement, paid leave

SOURCE:MilliporeSigma

DESCRIPTION:

I think we can all agree sustainability is important. But how does it contribute to ROI?

How do you incorporate it into your business? And is there a competitive advantage to be gained from doing that?

Listen to the podcast on LifeScienceMarketingRadio.com.

Tweet me:How does #sustainability contribute to #ROI? @MilliporeSigma’s global head of #CSR, @SAGlobalCit_JW tells all. Give it a listen via Life Science Marketing Radio: http://bit.ly/2NnBgyz

KEYWORDS: Life Science Marketing Radio, Life Science, MilliporeSigma, Jeffrey Whitford, Merck KGaA Darmstadt Germany, DOZN, sustainable packaging, greener products and solutions

Stouffer’s Urban Bistro Cheddar and Goat Cheese Mac brings premium flavor to your freezer

SOURCE:Nestlé

DESCRIPTION:

By Andrew Eccles

Milking goats in Minnesota was a strange new hobby for an actress from California. Frankie Lenzmeier’s friends in L.A. thought she was crazy for making the cross-country journey every weekend, but Frankie was committed to making her new relationship with a dairy farmer work.

Those weekly treks led to a marriage, as well as a new professional venture. Today, alongside her husband Dave, she is the co-owner of Stickney Hill Dairy, a leading supplier of high-quality cheese in the U.S., and they count Nestlé as one of their customers. The goat cheese used in Stouffer’s new Urban Bistro Cheddar and Goat Cheese Mac comes straight from Stickney Hill.

“Dave and I love goats,” Frankie tells me. “They’re one of the kindest animals you’ll ever meet — they follow you all around.”

A deep affection for the goats that provide their product is built into Stickney Hill’s business model. Their ‘Happy Goat Program’ insists upon the highest standards of care from the local farmers who supply the dairy, ensuring that their cheeses aren’t only high-quality, but also kind. Their commitment to sustainability and animal-friendly practices make Frankie and Dave ideal partners for us at Nestlé.

“Aside from a zero-tolerance policy towards cruelty, we also make sure every goat has plenty of space to roam, a steady supply of fresh water, and up-to-date medical records that we can access,” she says.

Because of the high number of goat farmers in the Minnesota countryside surrounding Stickney Hill, a sizable number of them from the Amish community, the dairy is able to source their milk from just a 2-hour radius around the facility. As local farmers keep them well supplied, they also keep their growing team of 25 employees busy making some of the best chevre around.

Today’s shoppers aren’t just looking for tasty affordable options. They also want to know producers have quality and safety top of mind. Frankie is clearly proud of Stickney Hill’s credentials in this space: “We’re a 20,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility,” she explains. “We have the highest SQF Lvl3 certification [meaning super comprehensive safety and quality management systems], and a geothermal air handling system which regulates the milk and cheese, keeping it at the perfect temperature from arrival to departure.”

This kind of innovation is exactly what Nestlé is looking for as we source ingredients for exciting new lines, such as Stouffer’s Urban Bistro.

“Our buyers are out meeting farmers and dairies, looking for the latest innovations in food, with a special focus on suppliers we can trust to keep consumers safe and source their product sustainably,” Ann, a Nestlé Procurement Manager based out of Solon, Ohio tells me.

“When Stouffer’s tell me they need goat cheese for a new product, I’m working to look at a range of diverse and innovative dairies who can best meet that need.”

The process of creating exciting new products begins long before you ever find it on the shelves of your grocery store. Katie, a Marketing Associate who was part of the team that helped developed Urban Bistro Cheddar and Goat Cheese Mac, explained the decision making that went into the over two-year development of the product.

"We’re always paying attention to trends, visiting restaurants and seeing what new items are appearing on menus, so we can help our consumers enjoy the same foods at home,” she says.

Stouffer’s has a long history of providing high-quality pasta options, which Katie believes is a great space to keep trying new things and pushing the envelope on flavor: “People know us for mac and cheese, so we wanted to bring them something really premium in that space. It’s surreal seeing it on a shelf after two years of work, but hearing people tell you they love it is what it’s all about — at the end of the day the goal is to create something delicious.”

A lot of work goes into making the product taste as good as possible, with teams of chefs from Nestlé culinary teams taking part in the creation of a new line. “The chefs start off by making a recipe which is the gold standard of flavor,” Kelsey, a Product Developer explains.

“Then we put that recipe through several stages of making it healthier and more affordable for the consumer. That could mean switching from cream to non-fat milk, for example, and making sure we still maintain the flavor the chefs developed. To ensure superior flavor, you have to source a great goat cheese.”

Stickney Hill is proud to be the suppliers of that goat cheese, and Frankie is proud of their involvement in Urban Bistro. “We are so glad to be part of the Stouffer’s family — we have the package framed in our kitchen.”

18 years ago, Frankie’s friends thought she was crazy for spending her weekends with goats in Minnesota. Today, looking at the framed keepsake in her kitchen, it’s clear Frankie was anything but crazy.

Tweet me:Stickney Hill’s ‘Happy Goat Program’ insists upon the highest standards of care from the local farmers who supply the dairy. Their commitment to #sustainability and animal-friendly practices are what make them ideal partners for @NestleUSA http://bit.ly/2Ot8n8t

KEYWORDS: Nestle, Stouffer's, Sustainable sourcing

By Stanley Opara

SOURCE:Schneider Electric

DESCRIPTION:

Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management and automation, restated its resolve to taking clean energy to some of Nigeria’s most rural areas.

This move, which complements its provision of high quality electrical appliances to Nigerians, is aimed at empowering more Nigerians, especially those not connected to the grid.

“The company is doing this in a bid to improve the quality of life and change the way people do business in those areas.,” the Head, Offer Marketing & Business Development, Global Strategy, Schneider Electric, Ifeanyi Odoh, said at a press conference in Lagos.

Click here to read the full article

Tweet me:.@SchneiderElec takes #CleanEnergy to rural communities http://bit.ly/2E1jOR3 via @GuardianNigeria

KEYWORDS: EPA:SU, Schneider Electric, Nigeria

Nonprofit charity Delivering Good to distribute the donated apparel to relief agencies in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina

SOURCE:HanesBrands

DESCRIPTION:

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., October 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ -- HanesBrands announced today that it is donating nearly 350,000 pairs of underwear, socks and T-shirts to assist victims of flooding from Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas and the Southeast.

Hanes is partnering with nonprofit charity Delivering Good to distribute essential basic apparel valued at more than $2 million to storm and flood victims who have endured relocation, lost homes, power outages and other hardships in wake of the hurricane and associated flooding.

“HanesBrands and its employees are longtime supporters of those in need in the aftermath of natural disasters here and around the world,” said Chris Fox, HanesBrands vice president of corporate social responsibility. “We know that victims of natural disasters have a tremendous need for the basics in life, including shelter, food, water and clothing. We are happy that we can assist in the long road to recovery after Hurricane Florence.”

The Hanes, Champion, Maidenform and Playtex apparel is being shipped from the company’s distribution centers in Gastonia, Kings Mountain, Rural Hall and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and near Martinsville, Virginia.

Delivering Good, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit relief charity that helps the apparel industry aid those in need, will arrange for the apparel donated by HanesBrands to go to the following relief agencies in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina:

Georgia: Caring for Others, Atlanta.

North Carolina: Fayetteville mayor’s office and Second Harvest Foodbank of Metrolina, Charlotte.

South Carolina: Aid Unlimited, Fort Mill.

In the past decade, HanesBrands has donated more than 5 million items of clothing under its Hanes For Good corporate social responsibility philanthropy efforts to assist natural disaster victims in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Japan and elsewhere.

HanesBrands Donates More Than $2 Million of Underwear, Socks and T-shirts to Assist Hurricane Florence Victims – Page 2

For those who want to help Delivering Good in its relief efforts by donating new apparel or cash, go to www.delivering-good.org/disaster-relief/. Every $10 donated enables Delivering Good to distribute more than $100 of new product to relief agencies serving those in need.

HanesBrands

HanesBrands is a socially responsible leading marketer of everyday basic innerwear and activewear apparel in the Americas, Europe, Australia and Asia-Pacific. The company markets T-shirts, bras, panties, shapewear, underwear, socks, hosiery, and activewear under some of the world’s strongest apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion, Maidenform, DIM,Bali, Playtex, Bonds, JMS/Just My Size, Nur Die/Nur Der, L’eggs, Lovable, Wonderbra, Berlei, Alternative, Gear for Sports, and Bras N Things. More information about the company and its award-winning corporate social responsibility initiatives may be found at www.Hanes.com/corporate. Visit our newsroom at https://newsroom.hanesbrands.com/. Connect with HanesBrands via social media on Twitter (@HanesBrands) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/hanesbrandsinc).

Delivering Good

Delivering Good, Inc. (formerly K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the charity of choice for new product donations made by hundreds of companies in the fashion, home and children’s industries. Donating new merchandise provides these companies with a simple and effective way to help millions of kids, adults and families facing poverty and disaster each year. Since 1985, over $1.8 billion of donated product has been distributed through our network of community partners. Learn more at www.Delivering-Good.org.

Tweet me:.@Hanes + @DeliveringGood are distributing $2M of essential basic apparel to #disasterrelief orgs in #Georgia #NorthCarolina + #SouthCarolina to assist #HurricaneFlorence victims http://bit.ly/2BYibRd @HanesBrands #socialimpact

KEYWORDS: Hurricane Florence, North Carolina, South Carolina, georgia, Hanes, HanesBrands, Delivering Good

SOURCE:Mohawk Industries

DESCRIPTION:

CALHOUN, Ga., October 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ —Mohawk continues its fight against breast cancer with its support of the Susan G. Komen® 3-Day Walk by donating more than 7,000 SmartCushion pads to comfort this year’s walkers and crew members. The company also hosts the “Mohawk Mile,” a bright pink carpeted footpath to the finish line filled with Mohawk residential and commercial team members, retail partners and customers urging walkers on to success.

Mohawk became involved with the 3-Day Walk in 2015, when it provided 800 pieces of soft, durable and eco-friendly SmartCushion to place under the sleeping bags of weary walkers and crew in the Philadelphia walk. Today Mohawk supports the three-day, 60-mile walk in all seven participating cities: Michigan, Twin Cities in Minnesota, Seattle, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth and San Diego.

“This fight against breast cancer is personal—for those who walk because they’ve been affected by the effects of breast cancer; for those cheering on from the sidelines; for those trying to get the word out every way they can; and for Mohawk’s 21,000 U.S. employees,” said Karen Mendelsohn, Mohawk’s senior vice president of marketing. “Mohawk is exceptionally proud to be a partner in this fight. We at Mohawk believe that together we can give the thousands of people who are diagnosed with cancer each year a fighting chance.”

At the end of each 3-Day, Mohawk ReCover is on the scene to ensure each piece of SmartCushion is recycled. “Mohawk’s ReCover program is our strategy around recycling and diverting our products from the landfill,” said George Bandy Jr., Mohawk’s vice president of sustainability and commercial marketing. “As part of our partnership with Komen, SmartCushion from each 3-Day is recycled into new padding through our ReCover partners at no charge. When we ‘cushion the fight,’ we not only have the privilege of serving these dedicated, resilient walkers, we also get to reinforce our commitment to believe in better through how we use our resources. To me, this is what a circular economy is all about—providing a unique connection point for the participants, the environment and our Mohawk family.”

Since its inception in 2006, ReCover has diverted more than 100 million pounds from landfills. In 2017, Mohawk recycled 31,020 pounds of cushion at 3-Day events.

Mohawk was named a 2017 “Rising Star” partner by Susan G. Komen because each year since 2001 it has strengthened its commitment to Komen’s mission by expanding its programs and exploring new ways to engage with the organization. Mohawk’s fund-raising programs—Decorate for the Cure in residential and Specify for a Cure in commercial—have donated nearly $6 million to date to Susan G. Komen, serving millions in more than 30 countries.

During each 3-Day event, Mohawk will have members from its residential and commercial sales teams along with customers cheering on participants during lunch stops and at the finish line each day. Additionally, the Mohawk creative team will be on site in select cities to shoot videos showcasing 3-Day participants, Decorate for the Cure, Specify for a Cure and the ReCover program.  

For more information on Mohawk sustainability, please see Mohawk’s 2017 Sustainability report at mohawksustainability.com.

For more information about Mohawk, visit mohawkflooring.com.

About Mohawk

Mohawk Industries is a leading global flooring manufacturer that creates products to enhance residential and commercial spaces around the world. Mohawk’s vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood, stone and vinyl flooring. Our industry-leading innovation has yielded products and technologies that differentiate our brands in the marketplace and satisfy all remodeling and new construction requirements. Our brands are among the most recognized in the industry and include Mohawk, American Olean, Daltile, Durkan, IVC, Karastan, Marazzi, Pergo, Unilin and Quick-Step. During the past decade, Mohawk has transformed its business from an American carpet manufacturer into the world’s largest flooring company with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.

About Susan G. Komen
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has invested more than $2.9 billion in research and lifesaving community programs. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Visit www.Komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

Tweet me:For third consecutive year, @MohawkFlooring cushions the fight in all seven @SusanGKomen 3-Day Walks to raise awareness for #BreastCancer http://bit.ly/2Oap1uo #cushionthefight

Contact Info:

Melissa Stocks
+1 (678) 499-8881
Melissa_Stocks@mohawkind.com

KEYWORDS: NYSE:MHK, mohawk group, Susan G. Komen® 3-Day Walk, SmartCushion

SCE is launching a number of programs to support charging medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses and other industrial vehicles.

SOURCE:Edison International

DESCRIPTION:

Bus riders in Porterville, a city about 60 miles north of Bakersfield, will soon have one more reason to feel good about using public transportation: clean, smog-free electric buses.

And thanks to a new pilot program being launched by Southern California Edison, Porterville Transit will receive financial assistance for bus charging stations, including free installation of electrical infrastructure, to support 10 new zero-emission buses the transit agency is adding to its fleet. The new battery electric buses are replacing older ones that run on fossil fuel.

SCE’s Charge Ready Transit Bus pilot, designed specifically for transit agencies, is among a number of programs SCE is launching to support medium- and heavy-duty trucks, port equipment and other industrial vehicles, as well as public and home-based charging for cars

“The proposed Innovative Clean Transit rule aligns very nicely with SCE’s vision for cleaning up our air and fighting climate change,” , said Laura Renger, SCE principal manager of Air and Climate Policy, who spoke at the hearing.

“Our plan for helping to achieve California’s ambitious air pollution and greenhouse gas reduction goals calls for more than 7 million electric vehicles on state roads and highways by 2030, including more than 200,000 trucks, buses and other industrial vehicles,” she said.

Renger added that electrifying the transportation sector is critical because, between tailpipe emissions and the refining of oil products, transportation produces nearly half of California’s total greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 80 percent of the state’s smog-forming nitrogen oxide emissions.

And there’s no place where that’s more apparent than in Porterville. 

“The San Joaquin Valley, where the city is located, has some of the worst air quality in the nation, and we want to do what we can to have a positive impact,” Tree said. “And because we’re a small transit agency competing for limited funding, we just decided we were going to go for it.”

In addition to the money Porterville Transit is saving by participating in SCE’s pilot program, the transit agency is also benefiting from the utility’s expertise.

“Installing 10 charging stations required the understanding and capacity we didn’t have, so Charge Ready was the best possible solution,” Tree said. “Having SCE engineers design it from the utility side, we know that it’s going to be done right from the beginning. “

By partnering with SCE on infrastructure, he said, Porterville can serve as a model for other transit agencies deploying zero-emission electric buses.

To motivate other transit agencies to follow Porterville’s lead, Katie Sloan, SCE director of transportation electrification, is at the nation’s largest public transportation forum this week spreading the word about how SCE is providing solutions to its customers who plan to convert to electric buses and other medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

“We are excited about partnering with transit agencies and other customers of ours who are adopting larger electric vehicles,” Sloan said during the American Public Transportation Association’s annual gathering in Nashville, Tenn.

In addition to the Charge Ready Transit Bus pilot, SCE recently launched Charge Ready Transport, a $356 million program to help install electrical infrastructure to support charging medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses, forklifts and other non-road cargo handling equipment.

SCE also recently announced a commitment to pursue the development of more than 50,000 electric vehicle charge ports in its service territory by 2025.

Tweet me:Porterville Transit participates in @SCE electric bus charging pilot http://bit.ly/2O7t9ep #EVs #sustainability #emissions

KEYWORDS: Southern California Edison, Edison International, Portersville Transit, electric vehicles, evs, public transit

Part of the Smithfield Foods Legacy Project

SOURCE:Smithfield Foods

DESCRIPTION:

SMITHFIELD, Va., October 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Smithfield Foods, Inc., and Isle of Wight County Schools unveiled a new Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) fieldhouse for Smithfield High School’s award-winning JROTC program.

The campus addition provides JROTC participants and instructors with needed classroom space and equipment storage for drill and competition practice.

“The new JROTC fieldhouse is a tremendous addition to Smithfield High School and we are grateful to Smithfield Foods for making it a reality for our students,” said Dr. Jim Thornton, superintendent of Isle of Wight County Schools. “I’m confident that great things will happen here as our JROTC participants sharpen their skills and prepare for successful careers in the military and beyond.”

The new JROTC fieldhouse is supported by the Smithfield Foods Legacy Project, a $3 million donation to Isle of Wight County Schools to fund an innovative and multifaceted educational program. Announced in 2017, the gift fulfills a capital campaign benefiting both Smithfield High School and Windsor High School.

“We are honored to provide Smithfield High School students with resources to help them excel in their college and professional careers, and serve as active members of their communities,” said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer for Smithfield Foods. “This new JROTC fieldhouse is just one way that Smithfield Foods is investing in our country’s next generation of leaders, and we look forward to celebrating their future achievements.”

In addition to the JROTC fieldhouse at Smithfield High School, the Smithfield Foods Legacy Project will fund several other on-campus facilities with resources to prepare students for their college and professional careers, and to serve as active members in their community.

“The JROTC fieldhouse and future facilities made possible by the Smithfield Foods Legacy Project provides students with outstanding opportunities to help them prepare for their careers,” said Zachary Haney, principal of Smithfield High School. “Our school is truly thankful to Smithfield Foods for their generous, longtime support.”

Understanding that supporting education dramatically strengthens communities, the Smithfield Foods Legacy Project aligns with the company’s commitment to contribute to the vitality of the communities where its employees work, live, and raise their families. Founded in Smithfield, Virginia, in 1936, the company remains headquartered there and employs more than 3,000 local employees.

For more information about Smithfield’s charitable efforts, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com/key-outreach-efforts/smithfield-foundation.

###

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Nathan's Famous®, Farmland®, Armour®, Farmer John®, Kretschmar®, John Morrell®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, Carando®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Healthy Ones®, Morliny®, Krakus® and Berlinki®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Isle of Wight County Schools

Isle of Wight County Schools dedicates its efforts to create a learning environment that will enable every child to discover his or her unique gifts and talents. Through this vision, Isle of Wight County Schools is committed to preparing approximately 5,500 students in all nine of its schools to be college, career, and life ready. For more information, visit www.iwcs.k12.va.us and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contacts:

Lisa Martin

Smithfield Foods, Inc.

(757) 365-1980

lmartin@smithfield.com

Lynn Briggs

Isle of Wight County Schools

(757) 365-1611

lbriggs@iwcs.k12.va.us

Tweet me:.@SmithfieldFoods, and Isle of Wight County Schools unveiled a new Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) fieldhouse for Smithfield High School’s award-winning #JROTC program http://bit.ly/2O3lVs2 #CSR

KEYWORDS: Smithfield High School, JROTC Facility, csr, Smithfield Foods, Smithfield Foods Legacy Project

SOURCE:SiMPACT Strategy Group

DESCRIPTION:

Impact Measurement doesn't need to be difficult, finding the right metric is easier than you think!

Are you interested in Impact Measurement? Join the conversation!

October 11th, 2018

10 AM PST / 11 AM MST / 1 PM EST / 2 PM AST

To register, please contact: communications@simpactsg.com.

-30-

About LBG Canada

LBG Canada is a network of corporate community investment professionals from many of Canada's leading companies, who work together to apply, develop and enhance the use of the LBG Model and measurement framework in Canada. Participation in LBG Canada encourages companies to focus on strategy, measurement and reporting to demonstrate the business value achieved through investment in community. LBG Canada is facilitated by SiMPACT Strategy Group. For more information, please visit: https://www.lbg-canada.ca

Tweet me:Are you interested in Impact Measurement? It doesn't need to be difficult, finding the right metric is easier than you think! Join the #LBGCanada online discussion October 11th at 11 AM MST / 1 PM EST #CIMatters http://bit.ly/2Npjif2

KEYWORDS: LBG Canada, LBG Model, impact, measurement, online discussion, webinar, Community Investment, Corporate Social Responsibility

SOURCE:Eastman Chemical Company

DESCRIPTION:

KEYWORDS: eastman treva, treva, bioplastic, Cosmetics and Personal Care, NYSE:EMN, Eastman Chemical Company

SOURCE:Symantec

DESCRIPTION:

As part of its commitment to climate action, Symantec set a goal in 2016 to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent over a 10-year period (FY16 to FY25 with a FY15 baseline). Through investments in energy conservation and more efficient use of space the company has achieved a 32 percent reduction in GHG emissions in just three years.

Learn more about Symantec's environmental progress in the 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report.

Tweet me:.@Symantec has reduced #GHG emissions by over 30% in 3 years. Learn more about how Symantec is securing a #sustainable future in their 2018 #CorporateResponsibility Report: https://symc.ly/2OK979k

KEYWORDS: NASDAQ:SYMC, Symantec, GHG emissions

Proceeds from Annual LA Kings Golf Tournament to be used for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Department of Pathology

SOURCE:AEG

DESCRIPTION:

AEG’s LA Kings raised more than $175,000 for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles at the club’s 19th annual Golf Tournament earlier this week. The event marked the unofficial kick-off of the Kings' regular season, which starts at STAPLES Center on Friday, Oct. 5 against the San Jose Sharks.

LA Kings players, coaches, alumni and executives were paired with guests at the Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms Resort for the day-long tournament which featured giveaways or games at each hole from partners including adidas, Mason Payne Cigars, Knott’s Berry Farm, LA Galaxy, Ontario Reign, Blaze Pizza, Terranea Resort, Melissa’s Produce and more.

"Each year we have the opportunity to bring our players, broadcasters and alumni together with team partners and fans in support of the incredible work of Children's Hospital Los Angeles," said Jen Pope, LA Kings Vice President of Community Relations and Team Services.

"Through this tournament we are able to support the hospital's Department of Pathology, which now meets close to 100 percent of its blood product needs," said Pope.

The LA Kings Golf Tournament is proudly supported by adidas, HiDow, United Rentals, Coyote Promotions and Executive Transportation Services.

Tweet me:AEG's @LAKings raise more than $175K for @ChildrensLA at #LAKings Annual Golf Tournament! #GoKingsGo http://bit.ly/2BYQzLL

KEYWORDS: AEG, LA Kings, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CHLA, Drew Doughty, Alec Martinez, Kings Care Foundation

SOURCE:Amgen Foundation

DESCRIPTION:

ABY RODRIGUEZ

Senior Associate of Supplier Management in the Human Tissue category at Amgen

Amgen Biotech Experience Year: 2007

How the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) Shaped My Educational & Professional Path 

Eleven years ago, Aby Rodriguez participated in a life-altering experience. A student at CROEM, a public boarding school in Puerto Rico that specializes in science and math, Rodriguez conducted biotech experiments for the first time through the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE).

“Before these labs, I had never heard of biotech. I knew there were scientists somewhere in the world trying to find cures for diseases, but I didn’t know what that work looked like,” she says. It would forever change her path, leading Rodriguez to pursue a degree in microbiology and chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, and then a master’s degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Her extensive lab research throughout her education, paired with bench work after school, eventually led her to Amgen as a senior associate, managing relationships with suppliers for human tissue and clinical biomarkers (diagnostic tools). “My work at Amgen is fast-paced and dynamic,” she says. “It requires me to be able to track many moving parts, to explore possible solutions, and to help identify the best options, ultimately, to better serve patients.”

My ABE Highlights 

What did you enjoy most about ABE?

I remember getting to biology lab my freshman year of undergrad, after having completed the ABE labs in high school, and feeling very comfortable with the tools and projects. Thinking back, I’m pretty sure this was the first time we all felt like scientists, every group in my class was very engaged, we all enjoyed wearing our lab coats and we all took it very seriously. At the end of each experiment, everyone wanted their work to be precise and to see obtain good results.

Talk about the hands-on lab experience. Did you feel like a real scientist? How did ABE compare to your experience in other science classes you’d taken?

The ABE labs were my first exposure to molecular biology, from pipetting to learning how to open and close Eppendorf tubes. I remember the first time we attempted a transformation, we couldn’t grow anything! But as good “junior scientists,” we were so excited to figure out what didn’t work and what we could do better. My high school specializes in math and science, but the main labs provided by the school were chemistry and physics. The ABE labs allowed students interested in medicine and biotech to get exposed to processes we wouldn’t have otherwise gotten a chance to explore at that young age. These courses and labs powered by ABE, paired with a very passionate teacher, shaped many biology, biotech, and medical professionals at my school. By the time I made it to graduate school, and it was my turn to teach students transformations, I realized how lucky I was to have had this experience while in 9th and 10th grade because a lot of my students in freshman year of college weren’t even familiar with pipetting.

Did ABE help you look at science in a new way? Did you have a sort of ‘ah-ha’ moment during the labs? Tell me about it.

ABE helped me understand a very important part of science: failure. If the experiments didn’t work, we’d brainstorm what could have gone wrong. In my opinion, that is the true scientific method. Learning how to fail, going back to the drawing board, figuring it out, tweaking here and there. When I made it to a research lab my first year of undergrad I was familiar with failure, and my mess-ups those first couple of times didn’t deter me from keeping on. We also learned lab safety and its importance in ABE. Learning this early on makes lab safety second nature when inside a lab.

What was your biggest takeaway from ABE?

ABE sparked my curiosity and paired with a fantastic teacher the program propelled, not just my career but the career of many. Mrs. Cabrera is still influencing young scientists and teachers like her struggle to find the right resources to serve their students. I am glad she was aware of this program and she received all the help she did from ABE. Because of that, she was able to shape the lives of a lot of students, inspiring us to pursue careers in fields that otherwise we wouldn’t have been exposed to that early on.

To learn more, visit http://www.amgenbiotechexperience.com and follow @AmgenFoundation.

Tweet me:Eleven years ago, Aby Rodriguez participated in a life-altering experience that open her eyes to the world of #biotech. Learn more from the @AmgenFoundation http://bit.ly/2y7Gn14 #BiotechExperience

KEYWORDS: Amgen Foundation, Amgen Biotech Experience, EDC, STEM Education, science education, science lab, NASDAQ: AMGN, biology, Amgen

New collaboration will focus on further improving social and environmental performance in the aquaculture industry.

SOURCE:Fair Trade USA

DESCRIPTION:

OAKLAND, Calif., October 9, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Fair Trade USA, the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in North America, and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), the leading certification and labelling program for responsible aquaculture, have signed an MOU to pilot Fair Trade USA’s requirements in some ASC-certified fish farms. Through this collaboration, the organizations will implement Fair Trade USA’s innovative model of responsible business and conscious consumption in certified fish farms adhering to the robust environmental and social criteria of the ASC standard. The pilot will also examine how the Fair Trade program can work as a ladder towards ASC certification within the framework of ASC’s newly formed “Improver Programme.”

“The Capture Fisheries Standard for wild fisheries has been the cornerstone of the Fair Trade seafood program since its inception in 2014, and now thousands of fishermen and workers are reaping its benefits,” said Julie Kuchepatov, Seafood Director of Fair Trade USA. “We look forward to working with ASC to bring the benefits of Fair Trade to fish farmers and workers and increase the environmental and social impact of our respective programs.”

Roy van Daatselaar, Producer Support Manager at ASC, said, “We are excited to bring the expertise of both organizations together in service of our shared goal to further improve the social and environmental performance of the aquaculture industry. ASC has had remarkable success in driving better performance and accountability through certification.  We’ve created the Improver Programme to expand the benefits of the program by helping those farms that are either not ready for, or may not ultimately be interested in, certification to progress their operations and reduce their impacts. Our collaboration will allow producers to both benefit from Fair Trade’s experience in community development and ASC’s comprehensive and scientifically-driven aquaculture certification to deliver efficient pathways for those that choose to seek certification.”

The Fair Trade model enables sustainable livelihoods for fishermen around the world while empowering them to improve their communities via the Community Development Fund – additional income earned for every pound of Fair Trade Certified™ seafood sold.  To date, there are nine Fair Trade Certified seafood supply chains and several more in the pipeline. Fair Trade Certified™ seafood products, such as Indonesian yellowfin tuna, Mexican blue shrimp, Maldivian skipjack tuna, Alaskan salmon, and scallops from New England, are found in more than twenty leading North American retailers, including Safeway, Hy-Vee and Whole Foods Market.

ASC distinguishes fish farms that operate to the highest social and environmental standards. ASC standards are created in a transparent, multi-stakeholders process and are reviewed at regular intervals to ensure that the requirements remain robust, reflecting best global practices. With the launch of ASC’s Improver Programme, producers can now receive guidance on how to improve their farming methods. The goal of the program is to leverage market forces by attracting producers at all stages on the journey towards sustainability to drive improvements in those areas where the biggest change can be achieved.  You can find more about the program at the ASC website - www.asc-aqua.org - or contact Roy van Daatselaar - Roy.vanDaatselaar@asc-aqua.org - to participate.  

Prospective organizations are invited to join the Fair Trade movement and participate in an aquaculture pilot program. Learn more about how the Fair Trade difference strengthens seafood supply chains by contacting Blake Stok - bstok@fairtradeusa.org.

About Fair Trade USA

Fair Trade USA is a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable livelihoods for farmers, fishermen, and workers, protects fragile ecosystems, and builds strong, transparent supply chains through independent, third-party certification. Its trusted Fair Trade Certified™ label signifies that rigorous standards have been met in the production, trade and promotion of Fair Trade products from over 80 countries across the globe. Recognized as a leading social venture by the Clinton Global Initiative, the Skoll Foundation and Ashoka, Fair Trade USA also provides critical capacity-building programs at origin and educates consumers about the power of their purchase. Visit www.FairTradeCertified.org for more information.

About the Aquaculture Stewardship Council

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 2010 to manage the certification of responsible fish farming across the globe.

The ASC standards require farm performance to be measured against both environmental and social requirements. Certification is through an independent third-party process and reports are uploaded to the public ASC website.

The ASC standards address seven principles, including the preservation of the natural environment and biodiversity, preservation of the diversity of species and wild populations, monitored and responsible use of animal feed, no unnecessary use of antibiotics and chemicals and social responsibility for both farm workers and the communities where farms are sited.

For more information about ASC please visit www.asc-aqua.org.

Tweet me:Good news for sustainable fish lovers: @ASC_Aqua and @FairTradeCert announced a new collaboration today with the shared goal of further improving social and environmental performance in the aquaculture industry. Read more http://bit.ly/2Pqd68q #responsibleaquaculture #FairTrade

Contact Info:

Blake Stok
Fair Trade USA
bstok@fairtradeusa.org

Roy van Daatselaar
Aquaculture Stewardship Council
Roy.vanDaatselaar@asc-aqua.org

KEYWORDS: aquaculture, sustainability, ocean, seafood, ASC, FTUSA, Fair Trade Certified

SOURCE:Verizon

DESCRIPTION:

Daniel Webster Middle School in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has just begun a transformation to a new era of learning.

Last spring, the school won a nationwide contest, and ultimately was given the opportunity to take part in Verizon Innovative Learning, the signature program of the Verizon Foundation. This week, Daniel Webster got the first taste of what being a Verizon Innovative Learning school means, as students were treated to an immersive virtual reality field trip.

Verizon Innovative Learning is a holistic program that provides free technology, free internet access, and hands-on learning experiences to under-resourced middle schools. It has been tackling the digital divide in America since 2012, and has reached two million students to date. This fall the number of participating schools reached 100, including three LAUSD middle schools, John A. Sutter, Samuel Gompers and Thomas A. Edison. Daniel Webster Middle School, which received the most votes last spring when Verizon invited the public to tweet nominations for a school in need to join the program, will be the fourth participating LAUSD school when it begins the Verizon Innovative Learning program next fall.

The program gives all teachers and students their own tablets with data plans that provide reliable internet access at school and at home. These connected devices, along with a specially designed curriculum, open a new realm of educational opportunities for students to acquire the skills needed for good jobs and entrepreneurship in the digital economy. 

According to experts, including reports by the Institute for the Future and The World Economic Forum, future employees will need complex problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity to be successful in tomorrow’s tech-focused jobs. To help them develop these abilities, Verizon Innovative Learning puts learning in students’ hands – literally and figuratively.

The hands-on, student-centered model encourages students to drive their own learning paths. Students take on a more active role in the learning process, helping teachers to learn functionality and collaborating with them to discover more ways to put the tablets to use. “Students have more ownership. That not only makes them more engaged, it also brings out their creativity,” says Alissa Womack, who serves as Digital Learning Coach for the Irving, Texas school district, which joined Verizon Innovative Learning in 2017. Digital Learning Coaches, such as Womack, are an integral part of the Verizon Innovative Learning program, helping teachers to adapt to changing roles and to realize the full potential of technology in the classroom.

This week’s preview of the Verizon Innovative Learning program for Daniel Webster’s students included a workshop in virtual reality provided by Project Lead the Way, one of the leading nonprofits with which Verizon partners to deliver its programs. The exercise allowed students to visit the White House, Grand Canyon and Eiffel Tower in an immersive VR experience, and enabled them to create their own 360-degree VR landscapes.

Daniel Webster’s Principal, Marla Mason, says “The Verizon Innovative Learning program will give us the tools and resources to succeed in our mission to provide all learners with an excellent 21st Century education and to support students to solve problems through creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication. We could not be more excited to get started!”

Verizon Innovative Learning

Millions of American students lack the access to technology and the skills they need to succeed in the digital world¹. Since 2012, Verizon has been working to help solve this problem holistically through a transformative program called Verizon Innovative Learning.

Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, free internet access, and hands-on learning experiences to help give under-resourced students the education they deserve. Powered by a next-gen, technology-infused curriculum that fundamentally changes the way teachers teach and students learn, Verizon Innovative Learning is giving kids the ability to do more in this world. Students are showing improvement in math and reading², and they’re more engaged in school³.

¹Pew Research Center Analysis of 2013 American Community Survey (IPUMS).

²Westat March 15, 2017 Research.

³Across all VIL programs that reported data in 2017.

Tweet me:The people have spoken. Congrats to Daniel Webster Middle School in #LAUSD -chosen by the community to become a #VerizonInnovativeLearning school. #STEM #Education http://bit.ly/2OcJFdk

KEYWORDS: Verizon, NYSE:VZ

From El Salvador to Washington DC, Nestlé coffee makes an impact

SOURCE:Nestlé

DESCRIPTION:

By Leo Aizpuru, Marketing Director, Ready-to-Drink Beverages at Nestlé USA

When I arrive at Nestlé’s office each morning, the first thing I do is get a cup of coffee. Some days, I kick off with Chameleon’s Nitro Cold Brew, while other days I sip a Nespresso latte. I’m a coffee lover. Marketing Nestlé’s Ready-to-Drink beverages is a dream job.

As one of the world’s largest coffee producers, we know how to make a good cup of java. We also know that we can make an incredible impact in growing coffee sustainably. The work we do to help coffee farmers grow healthy beans — and dramatically improve their incomes — is one of the many reasons I’m proud to work at Nestlé. Because of our size, the way we source coffee beans can really make a difference in the lives of growers and in the health of the environment.

Today’s coffee farmers face huge challenges, including climate change, crop disease, and pests. Consumers, myself included, love the beverage and rely on it for a caffeinated jolt each day. Our coffee brands, from Nescafé and Nespresso to Chameleon and Blue Bottle, work daily with growers to meet these challenges head on.

Nescafé meets this challenge through the Nescafé Plan, which includes a commitment to invest $360 million in coffee projects between 2010 and 2020. The Nescafé team recognizes its responsibility to ensure the future of coffee and has put in place programs to train 10,000 coffee farmers each year on sustainable farming methods, improving their yields and income. They also buy directly from farmers through the Farmer Connect program, which cuts out middle-men and empowers farmers to improve their income — in 2014 alone, Nescafé sourced directly from 170,000 farmers.

In Mexico, where I started my Nestlé career, Nescafé works with close to 80,000 coffee growers providing millions of plants along with training on sustainable farming techniques. This year, the Mexico team even paid homage to 1,000 of those coffee producers, featuring their names and photos on coffee bags.

Chameleon Cold brew, too, has invested in partnering with coffee farming communities by constructing the Cenfrocafe Coffee Quality Lab in Peru. This lab contains specialized equipment which helps experts provide real-time feedback to farmers throughout the growing and harvest season so that they can grow the best coffee.

This sort of work makes me proud to be a Nestlé employee. It shows that making tasty food and beverages is only the beginning, we’re also working to build a better future. This commitment to make an impact extends beyond how we source coffee. It impacts everything we do. From how we purchase energy to the ways we develop recipes, we’re committed to using our size and scale to benefit communities and individuals worldwide. It’s that dedication — and the possibilities that come with it — that make me excited to come to work every day.

Tweet me:From El Salvador to Washington DC, @NestleUSA #coffee makes an impact http://bit.ly/2DZMI41 #NescaféPlan

KEYWORDS: Nestle, Nescafe, Nescafé Plan

SOURCE:Astellas

DESCRIPTION:

NORTHBROOK, Ill., October 9, 2018 /3BL Media/ -- Astellas today issued its third-annual Americas Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report Card. The Report Card, which can be found here, outlines the company's progress made during Fiscal Year 2017 to fulfill its commitments to patients, employees and the communities where we work and live.

"At Astellas, our commitment to improving the lives of others is at the core of what we do. We strive to be kind to one another, the community and the environment," said Percival Barretto-Ko, president, Astellas Americas. "I'm proud of our team's efforts and I am pleased to share our progress in key focus areas in our 2017 CSR Report Card. I look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to help those in need."

Astellas is committed to operating in a socially responsible manner to make a positive impact in the communities around the world. By outlining its progress over the past year, Astellas is better positioned to continue its evolution as an industry-leading, responsible and sustainable company.

Highlights

The Americas CSR Report Card captures multiple measures including:

• Improving Access to Health and Well-Being: Astellas USA Foundation provided funds to the United Nation Foundation's Shot@Life program to help vaccinate 300,000 children in Latin America for the third consecutive year
• Increasing STEM Education: To kick off the 2017-2018 school year, Astellas USA Foundation launched the Rural Spark Project™ in 26 rural Illinois schools by awarding a $1 million multi-year grant to Project Lead the Way
• Providing Disaster Relief: In response to an unprecedented season of natural disasters in 2017, Astellas USAFoundation and Astellas worked together to train and send 10 employee volunteers to aid hurricane victims in Houston, Texas, and Orlando, Florida, as part of the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, one of only four companies to do so.

Astellas Awards and Recognition 
Astellas' focus on sustainability in the Americas has resulted in a number of awards including:

• 2017 Best Medium-Sized Multinational Workplace by Great Place to Work™ Institute
• 2017 Best Pharmaceutical Companies by Great Place to Work™ Institute  
• 2017 Best Workplaces in Chicago by Great Place to Work™ and Fortune Magazine
• 2017 America's Top Mid-Sized Workplace by Forbes Magazine
• 2017 Working Mother 100 Best Companies
• 2017 Best Companies for Giving Back in the United States by Great Place to Work™ and Fortune Magazine

About Astellas
Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us. You can also follow us on Twitter at @AstellasUS, Facebook at www.facebook.com/AstellasUS or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/astellas-pharma.

Tweet me:.@AstellasUS issues third annual Americas #CSR Report Card, highlighting commitment to patients and communities http://bit.ly/2y9xHXW http://bit.ly/2y9xHXW #healthcare #disasterrelief #communityimpact #philanthropy

KEYWORDS: astellas, 2017 Americas Corporate Social Responsibility Report Card

By Jake Bright, TechCrunch

SOURCE:PayPal

DESCRIPTION:

If mobile money was the first phase in the development of digital finance in Africa, the next phase of digital financial services on the continent will focus on lending, insurance and wealth management.

In “Beyond Payments: The Next Generation of Fintech Startups in Sub-Saharan Africa,” the venture capital firm Village Capital, and their reporting partner, PayPal, tip their hat to M-Pesa and mobile money in Africa, but say that there’s a wave of innovation still to come.

Continue reading on TechCrunch

Tweet me:.@PayPal and @villagecapital report on the next phase of #fintech in Africa: https://tcrn.ch/2NtVsii @TechCrunch @JakeRBright

KEYWORDS: TECHCRUNCH, Village Capital, Jake Bright, PayPal, fintech, Beyond Payments: The Next Generation of Fintech Startups in Sub-Saharan Africa, startups, payment processing