SOURCE:CSX Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

Nearly 190 years of operations have informed, and transformed, CSX’s approach to citizenship. Today, the company holds a high standard of care in the communities we serve along both sides of our network’s 21,000 miles. CSX focuses its outreach efforts in four key areas that align with the business while also meeting real societal needs: safety, community, environment, and health and wellness.

In 2014, CSX invested a total of $18 million in community organizations across those focus areas, which included more than $15 million in grants, sponsorships, and matching programs and more than $2 million in real estate. CSX employees also live out personal commitments to giving back. In 2014, CSX employees logged 24,971 volunteer hours through independent volunteering and 19 company organized service events. More than 70 CSX leaders serve on non-profit boards throughout the network.

Focus on: Safety

Because of the nature of our business, safety is at the core of our community programs. As urbanization trends continue, the importance of rail safety increases with a greater numbers of people living near active railroad operations. CSX works to prevent injuries and accidents through education, programming and advocacy at all levels. CSX’s “Play It Safe” campaign uses a partnership with NASCAR to raise awareness of safety around railroads. Ultimately the safest crossing is a closed crossing, and last year CSX closed 247 crossings throughout the network.

Focus on: Community

The CSX network serves nearly two-thirds of the American population, with track stretching across 23 states. We have a responsibility to help improve issues important to the success of the communities we serve, beyond our rails. Major issues that affect communities across the network include the need for promoting youth leadership development.  For the past 20 years, CSX and national youth service organization City Year have partnered to support education-focused efforts to help reduce student drop-out rates in our nation’s schools. Beyond work with national partners, CSX provides funding to local organizations through an online grant program. Local councils of employees who live and work in the community evaluate the opportunities as they are able to bring a personal, hyper-local understanding of the critical issues facing their communities.

Focus on: Environment

CSX recognizes the importance of preserving and protecting the environment, now and for the generations that follow; as such, we are committed to continually improving our environmental impact. As part of this commitment, CSX’s Trees for Tracks program – in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation – aimed to plant a tree for every mile of track by 2018 through tree planting events that activate CSX employees. This goal was achieved sooner than expected and Trees for Tracks is now working to achieve a new goal of planting an additional 21,000 trees by the end of 2018.

Focus on: Wellness

The CSX commitment to wellness extends well past the rails and into the community. The CSX wellness program strives to make the lives of employees and the people around them healthier.  Within communities, CSX believes that creating healthier school environments will nurture a stronger cohort of kids with better eating and fitness habits. Through work with Action for Healthy Kids, 287 schools across 12 states were awarded School Grants for Healthy Kids in the 2014-2015 school year through the support of CSX funding. In addition, a longstanding partnership with the Conservation Fund has enabled work to address the food gap by offering grants to distribute healthy and fresh food to CSX communities. These efforts draw on our partner’s access to local community organizations and leverage CSX capabilities to deliver food where it’s needed.

Read more at www.CSXCSR.com.

Tweet me:.@CSX 2014 Corporate Social Responsibility Highlights: Investing in Communities http://3bl.me/m8mfa7

KEYWORDS: Reports, Environment and Climate Change, CSX

SOURCE:Antea Group

DESCRIPTION:

You as an employer can save money while preventing inventory loss and environmental releases by participating in Underground Storage Tank Operator Training.

But you may be asking yourself these questions:

•    Why do I have to complete this training?
•    Who needs to complete this training?
•    When do my employees need to complete the training by?
•    Where does the training take place?
•    What are the training benefits to employers?
•    How does that save money?

Find out the answers on the Antea Group blog.

Tweet me:You have questions about underground storage tank training? We have answers: http://3bl.me/mmpbte

Contact Info:

Margaret Uttke
+1 (651) 697-5234
margaret.uttke@anteagroup.com

KEYWORDS: Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, Environment and Climate Change, antea group, Training, underground storage tanks

Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York top 2015 ACEEE rankings

SOURCE:National Grid

DESCRIPTION:

WALTHAM, Mass., October 22, 2015 /3BL Media/ – The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released their 2015 State Scorecard yesterday. Once again the three states in which National Grid U.S. operates—Mass., R.I. and N.Y.—all made the top ten for energy efficiency.  Massachusetts ranked #1 for the fifth year in a row, with Rhode Island coming in fourth and New York landing ninth.

“National Grid takes great pride in its contributions toward helping our states retain their leadership positions in this ranking,” said Dean Seavers, president of National Grid US. “We get the triple win when it comes to energy efficiency: reduced demand on the grid, reduced cost to our customers and a reduced impact on our environment.”

Through its U.S. Connect21 strategy, National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner and more resilient energy solutions. Connect21 is vital to our communities' long-term economic and environmental health and aligns with regulatory initiatives in New York (REV: Reforming the Energy Vision) and Massachusetts (Grid Modernization).

About National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity and natural gas delivery company that connects nearly 7 million customers to vital energy sources through its networks in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain.

Through its U.S. Connect21 strategy, National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21^st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Connect21 is vital to our communities' long-term economic and environmental health and aligns with regulatory initiatives in New York (REV: Reforming the Energy Vision) and Massachusetts (Grid Modernization).

For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, or our Connecting website. You can also follow us on Twitter, watch us on You Tube, like us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram.

###

CONTACT: Paula Haschig  – 781-907-1719

Tweet me:.@ACEEEdc releases 2015 State Scorecard, @nationalgridus states Mass., RI, NY make top 10 for #energy efficiency http://3bl.me/xasfqh

KEYWORDS: Energy, National Grid, sustainability, energy efficiency, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

by Julie Fahnestock

SOURCE:Justmeans

DESCRIPTION:

The movement is growing. Fast. 1,400+ B Corps worldwide. And, the community is partnering together in incredible ways. Sustainable Harvest, for example, a global coffee importer focused on building relationships with farmers, is selling a new coffee, using a 100 percent B Corp supply chain. (More on that story coming soon.) More and more business owners are realizing the value of the B Corp model. Happier employees, tangible environmental impact, greater accountability—it’s easy to see these effects. But how many B Corps actualize an impact on the third “p” in the triple bottom line, as in “Profits”?

A few weeks ago, I gave away a few of the best kept secrets about B Corp consulting. After participating in the “Secrets of B Corp Consulting,” a four-week, webinar series offered by Honeyman Consulting and Conscious Brands, I became confident in my understanding of the model, how to add value to companies and how to get started as bona fide B Corp Consultant. (In case you missed it, check out the link to it below.) My biggest hang up during the series was understanding the return on investment of the B Corp certification for clients. I know business owners can expect to see an increase in employee engagement and retention, a protection of the company’s mission and access to an incredibly supportive community. But, “give it to me in dollars, Honeyman,” I kept thinking. How much moolah can a midsized company expect to see in the bank account after spending a few thousand dollars to certify? And, shouldn’t I know the answer to this as a B Corp consultant? How do I pitch financial results? I wasn’t the only one in my cohort wondering about the business case for B Corps.  As Christian Greico, President of Optimus One, put it:

To continue reading, click here

Julie is passionate about telling the story of where business meets good. She is the Founder of B Storytelling, a content development company specifically designed to help popularize the good happening through business. They do this by helping Benefit Corporations and other social enterprises identify, build and leverage their brands. Julie has an MBA in Managing for Sustainability from Marlboro Graduate School. She lives in West Palm Beach, Florida with her husband, Thomas.

Tweet me:.@juliefahnestock shares more secrets of #BCorps consulting http://bit.ly/1GsOZzA via @Justmeans

KEYWORDS: Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Business & Trade, B Corps, B Corp Consulting, B Corp Certified, Ryan Honeyman, Honeyman Consulting, Secrets of B Corp Consulting, The B Corp Handbook, ROI of B Corps, benefit corporation, B Lab, Better World Books, King Arthur Flour, Christian Greico, Justmeans

Luke’s wish to go to Disneyland® Resort marks historic milestone

SOURCE:The Walt Disney Company

DESCRIPTION:

PHOENIX, October 22, 2015 /3BL Media/ – Make-A-Wish and The Walt Disney Company celebrated the 100,000th Disney-related wish during a special event at Disneyland Resort Wednesday night. Since granting the first wish in 1981 for eight-year-old Frank ‘Bopsy’ Salazar to go to Disneyland®, Make-A-Wish and Disney have worked together to grant wishes for children from all over the world. Thirty-five years later, Make-A-Wish and Disney have marked an enormous milestone by recognizing seven-year-old Luke as the 100,000th Disney wish kid.

Days after celebrating his 5th birthday with his family, Luke was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. After having his tumor removed, Luke faced months of chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell treatment to help combat the cells that had metastasized. Luke could think of nothing more perfect than to visit the Disneyland Resort with his entire family to give him the hope, strength and joy he would need during the road ahead.

Through the generosity of The Walt Disney Company, Luke's wish came true. After setting off for California from Texas, Luke and his family spent several fun-filled days visiting the parks. Highlights included a special meeting with his favorite Cars characters as well as Anna and Elsa, a special viewing of World of Color - Celebrate!, and reserved seating for the Paint the Night Parade and Disneyland Forever Fireworks Spectacular.

“Since the very first wish, Disney has provided wish kids like Luke with imaginative experiences and lasting memories, the kind only Disney can provide,” said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. Jon Stettner, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish International echoed those comments saying, “Disney's steadfast support of our mission continues to grow as they help us all believe that anything is possible. We are grateful to have such a dedicated friend.”

“It's amazing to think that 35 years ago, Make-A-Wish granted its very first wish at the Disneyland Resort, which sparked a legacy of fulfilling wishes that has captured so many hearts,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “It's wonderful to celebrate our 100,000th wish together, and we're proud to play a role in bringing smiles and laughter to wish children and their families.”

Disney is a long-time supporter of Make-A-Wish and uses its magic to form incredible, life-changing experiences for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Through its long-time support, Disney has contributed to the Make-A-Wish mission in a number of ways, providing more than USD15 million in cash and in-kind donations in the last year alone. Nearly 8,000 Disney-related wishes are granted every year – including experiences at Disney theme parks, voyages on Disney Cruise Line, meetings with Disney characters, and visits to TV and movie sets – making Disney the most popular request by Make-A-Wish children, and accounting for one of every two wishes granted.

For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org; for more information on Make-A-Wish International, visit worldwish.org.

# # #

Tweet me:#Disney & @MakeAWish celebrate 100,000 wishes together! Watch video: Wish.org/Disney

KEYWORDS: Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Philanthropy

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

There’s more evidence that the mainstream financial sector is increasingly moving toward the integration of ESG issues into investment decisions.

The Department of Labor has announced the retraction of a 2008 bulletin that will allow investors, including financial advisors and pension plans, to include ESG factors as part of their broader fiduciary duty to produce profits. That 2008 notice had been interpreted as a barrier to those looking to make sustainable investments. The decision to retract the cautionary bulletin confirms that ESG factors are now widely considered to be material to the bottom line, and provides a major boost to the direction of private capital at scale toward global social and environmental challenges.

Among the financial institutions supporting the Labor Department’s announcement was Morgan Stanley. That firm’s Institute for Sustainable Investing published research earlier this year showing that 71 percent of individual investors are interested in sustainable investing. A follow-up report that analyzed over 10,000 open-end funds concluded that investing in sustainability does not result in any decrease in profits.

I’m John Howell for 3BL Media.

Video Source: Financial Sector Gets Green Light to Include ESG Factors in Investment Decisions

Tweet me:Dept. of Labor retraction confirms that #ESG factors are big part of bottom line http://3bl.me/nkd2ex via @3BLMedia #SRI #CSRminute

KEYWORDS: Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, CSR Minute, esg, Department of Labor, Morgan Stanley, 3bl media llc

SOURCE:TerraPass

DESCRIPTION:

When we think about climate change, we usually conjure up images of relatively slow change: ice melting or Earth’s temperature rising. We forget climate change is also increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme natural events such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and forest fires. Flooding in North Carolina and drought in California are just some examples, which remind us there is more to climate change than rising average temperatures. It could mean more disasters.

Hazards + Vulnerability create a risk of disasters

The formula for natural disasters is simple: it is the sum effect of a hazard plus community vulnerability. Climate change affects both parts of the sum.

Extreme natural events are hazards. While some natural events occur as part of normal cycles, others are extreme! They would have been very unlikely, if not impossible, without the influence of climate change. As these events gear up in intensity and frequency, disasters will also occur more frequently.

Climate change also affects to the second part of the sum: community vulnerability.  The slow changes in our climate uniquely impact each region. Decreased food availability, a spread of illnesses, and increased energy costs are just some possible effects. Weakened communities are more vulnerable to all hazardous events, including bursts of extreme weather. As climate change gains strength, by end of 2015 the average number of people affected each year is predicted to reach 375 million.

GHGs increase the risk of disasters.

Greenhouse gas emissions are the primary driver of climate change. They are already changing our climate. Authorities agree that the Earth’s landscape is being reshaped by a variety of influences, including the cascading effects of greenhouse gas emissions to support human activities. The more GHGs released into the atmosphere, the more chances weather will have to show its unpleasant side.

While there is still a lot of uncertainty in the scientific details, we must take action today. If we decide to wait, we may squander the chance to develop communities, which if not necessarily sustainable, will at least be less volatile. While we have seen a lot of progress on the Road to Paris, the truth is that effectively, global governance is weak and the science of climate change is too broad to force policy makers to create quick, sweeping changes.  So, what are our defenses? Even as individuals, there is a lot we can do.

Disaster risk reduction is about choices.

Reducing risk of disasters and the adverse impacts of natural hazards requires that we build resilience in our communities:

• Act against climate change
• Help your community adapt to the new realities of brought on by climate change
• Improve community preparedness

Every person is able to contribute to community resilience. The scale of a disaster depends on the choices we make for our lives and our environment. Each action makes us more vulnerable to disasters - or more resilient to them. These choices relate to everything we do: how we grow our food, where and how we build our homes, what kind of government we have, how our financial system works, and even what we teach in our schools.  Here are some ideas to help you make a difference:

1. Have a family disaster plan and be prepared to execute it. Plus, know your community plan. FEMA provides resources that help create a strategy for the whole family.
    
2. Support sustainable community projects that help adapt to climate change and reduce it. This includes sustainable community gardens, a sustainable community business, or a nature group. In addition to small personal projects, you can help by funding large projects through TerraPass. Our projects are located across the US, so they have a double benefit - of helping the environment and supporting the local economy. To find out how you can support TerraPass projects, click here.
    
3. Lead a carbon-balanced, eco-friendly lifestyle. Take action to reduce your GHG emissions and other environmentally negative activities in your life. Reducing your carbon footprint can limit the magnitude or rate of climate change.  You can’t manage what you don’t measure, so start by calculating your carbon footprint on the TerraPass website. Find great tips to minimize your footprint in our blogs. Offset what remains with TerraPass carbon offsets.
    
4. Install a source of alternative and renewable energy on your home. For example, install rooftop solar panels. This will reduce your carbon footprint and provide back up if the power grid is down. You can also support larger renewable energy projects in the USA with TerraPass. Find out more, here.
    
5. Grow a garden or some trees. This will help protect your soil, increase water reserves for your plants reserves in the time of drought, and reduce the carbon emissions of your diet.
    
6. Have a water reuse and recovery system. It can be as simple as having a rainwater catching bucket outdoors or as sophisticated as recovering grey water from your sink for your outdoor use. This kind of a system can be an additional resource in the time of drought. To support water sustainability projects and help reduce drought, consider investing in BEF Water Restoration Certificates®.

How are you helping build community resilience and preparedness? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page. Follow us on Twitter and Pinterest for more sustainability tips. Visit our website to find out more about your carbon footprint.

Tweet me:#climatechange can mean more #extremeweather and more #disasters. What are our #defenses? Read the @terrapass blog http://goo.gl/yXt2qb

KEYWORDS: Environment and Climate Change, Education, disaster risk reduction, TerraPass, Emissions

Programs include community gardens, fitness equipment, healthy foods and nutrition education programs / Funded by a $74,000 donation by UnitedHealthcare

SOURCE:EcoMedia

DESCRIPTION:

SEATTLE, October 23, 2015 /3BL Media/ – More than 4,200 kids at six Boys & Girls Clubs in King County (BGCKC) will now have access to new and enhanced health and fitness programs.

UnitedHealthcare is providing $74,000 to support creation and expansion of community gardens, nutrition-education programming, and the purchase of new fitness supplies and equipment, and about 60,000 hot and healthy meals for club members over the next year. Funding from UnitedHealthcare was generated through its participation in CBS EcoMedia’s WellnessAd program.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County to inspire children to participate in healthy activities and make good food choices – two habits that can last a lifetime,” said Doug Bowes, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Washington, which provides free Boys & Girls Club memberships for people enrolled in its Medicaid health plan.

BGCKC strives to support youth in three core areas: academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character & citizenship. UnitedHealthcare’s funding of BGCKC’s “healthy lifestyles” core area helps establish programs in diverse, high-need communities and address some of the root causes of obesity such as food insecurity, and limited access to green and recreational space.

“We are so pleased to receive support from UnitedHealthcare,” said Calvin L. Lyons, President/CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. “We appreciate their support in our efforts to educate and feed our Club members. This funding will provide an opportunity for those we serve to learn how to grow food, prepare it and understand its nutritional value while receiving hot meals to support their daily health and well-being.”

To celebrate, UnitedHealthcare employees are volunteering today to help build the new UnitedHealthcare-funded community garden at BGCKC’s Southwest Club. Employee volunteers will also help with “International Cuisine Night,” which will include nutritious food and cooking demonstrations that promote healthy lifestyles for Club members and their families.

“Children who learn healthy habits lower their risk of chronic disease and lay the foundation for happy and productive lives,” said Paul Polizzotto, president and founder of CBS EcoMedia. “Through our WellnessAd Program we empower kids – and their grown-ups, too – to do just that. We’re grateful to UnitedHealthcare and Boys & Girls Clubs of King County for the collaborative effort that’s bringing community gardening and new opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating to youth in the Seattle area.”

This project is the latest in UnitedHealthcare’s “Do Good. Live Well.” employee volunteer initiative, whose mission is to inspire service and encourage volunteerism. For more information about the benefits of volunteering and to find local opportunities to get involved, visit www.DoGoodLiveWell.org. Follow @DoGoodLiveWell on Twitter or “like” Do Good. Live Well. on Facebook. 

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 850,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of King County
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County exists to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. With 12 Clubs, 2 Teen Centers and 27 child care and early learning sites, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in the nation, serving more than 17,000 members annually. Program areas offered to youth include character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, computer training and sports/fitness/recreation opportunities. For more information, visit www.positiveplace.org.

About CBS EcoMedia Inc.
At EcoMedia, we’re propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that’s been our mission since we founded the company in 2002.  In 2010, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media. 

Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide.  In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change. Please visit ecomediacbs.com, like us at facebook.com/EcoMediaCBS or follow us at Twitter.com/EcoMediaCBS.

By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities.  EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.

*          *          *

Press Contacts:

Theresa Schieber, CBS EcoMedia
Theresa.schieber@ecomediacbs.com
212-975-3471

Courtney Johnson, UnitedHealthcare
612-702-7703
Courtney_T_Johnson@uhc.com

Jennifer Parsons, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County
jparsons@positiveplace.org
206-436-1830

Contact Info:

Isabelle Birdi
CBS EcoMedia
+1 (212) 975-3471
Theresa.schieber@ecomediacbs.com

Courtney Johnson
UnitedHealthcare
+1 (612) 702-7703
Courtney_T_Johnson@uhc.com
Jennifer Parsons, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County jparsons@positiveplace.org 206-436-1830

KEYWORDS: Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Health, EcoMedia, Boys & Girls Club

The Long Beach tourist attraction receives a Cool Planet award for its environmental efforts.

SOURCE:Edison International

DESCRIPTION:

The sea otters at the Aquarium of the Pacific are always a big draw, delighting visitors with their antics in the water.

What visitors don’t realize is the otter exhibit is also a showcase for energy efficiency. As part of its greening of the aquarium initiative, the Long Beach tourist attraction replaced existing lighting in the otter exhibit with energy-efficient LED lights.

The difference is not apparent to the uninitiated, but it is one of the efforts that has helped the aquarium reduce its carbon footprint by 25 percent since 2007, even as attendance has grown to 1.5 million visitors a year.

In recognition of its efforts, the aquarium was one of 11 Southern California Edison business customers recently recognized with a 2015 Cool Planet award. The award, jointly sponsored by SCE and The Climate Registry, is given to customers who demonstrate leadership in energy savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Read full story in Edison's Online Newsroom.

Tweet me:Congratulations @AquariumPacific for your #CoolPlanet award. http://3bl.me/5d9cfv

KEYWORDS: Energy, Technology, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, Edison International

SOURCE:Symantec

DESCRIPTION:

Online crime is always personal. Cyber criminals are experts at using the data people innocently provide online to defraud or steal their identities. Educating the public on Internet security is essential for increasing safe and confident online use.  Each October in the UK, Get Safe Online week reminds individuals and business how to stay safe online. This year, the theme is “Online crime is always personal. Don’t be a target.” At Symantec, online safety is a core corporate responsibility effort. Our Online Safety in the Community volunteer program encourages employees to become ambassadors for safe Internet use in their communities. Year round, we collaborate with local schools and organizations to deliver online safety workshops.

Volunteering at the TeenTech Bristol, UK Event

One of our community partners, TeenTech, organizes engaging, hands on events across the UK that draw over 500 pupils per event from the surrounding regions. Earlier this month, 15 Symantec employees volunteered at the Bristol event that took place on October 8th to deliver an interactive hacking game scenario. The hacking game, designed by Symantec employees, was facilitated to pupils from local schools in the area. The volunteers delivered 30-minute sessions on cyber security educating them on how much data we inadvertently put online that allow hackers to guess our passwords. The overall aim was to inform them on why creating secure passwords is so important. “It is great to be able to use the skills we have to educate, inform and inspire the next generation,” said James Hanlon, one of the Symantec volunteers. We’re looking forward to the London TeenTech event that is coming up December 1st!

Continue reading on Symantec CR in Action blog

Tweet me:.@symantec UK celebrates Get Safe Online Week with nonprofit partner @teentechevent: http://symc.ly/1QPm09u #CyberAware #CSR

KEYWORDS: Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Technology, Get Safe Online Week, TeenTech, cybersecurity, Symantec, online safety

Teachers from across the United States have until Oct. 30 to apply for a share of $2 Million*

SOURCE:Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

DESCRIPTION:

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., October 23, 2015 /3BL Media/ – There is only one week remaining in the open nomination period of the 6^th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest (#SamsungSolve). Today through October 30, 2015, Samsung Electronics America (SEA) is calling on teachers across the country to apply to the competition by describing how their students will use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to address issues within their community, for a chance to win a share of $2 million* in technology and other prizes.

Public school teachers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, in grades 6-12, are eligible to nominate their classrooms and open their doors to new educational opportunities for their students to engage interactively in community-based learning. Within the five minute application, teachers must explain an issue faced by the school’s community and describe how their students will apply STEM to address the challenge. Past submissions have included creating community gardens in food desert neighborhoods, developing mobility equipment for special needs students, and reducing water usage amid the California drought crisis.   

By submitting a nomination, all applicants will receive access to BrainPOP’s STEM spotlight – BrainPOP is a leading STEM education digital destination and contains valuable STEM-themed resource. Schools will also have the opportunity to advance through each phase of the contest:

• State Finalists – Five schools from each state and the District will be chosen as State Finalists, and all 255 schools will receive two Samsung Galaxy Tab® – a total prize package of nearly $800. State Finalists will be announced in November 2015.
• State Winners – One school from each state will be named a State Winner and all 51 winners will receive approximately $20,000 in Samsung technology. State winners will also win a one-year subscription to BrainPOP, including their BrainPOP educator resources. State Winners are slated to be awarded in December 2015.
• National Finalists – Fifteen schools will be named National Finalists and receive a trip to present their projects before a live-panel of judges at a location to be named, and win approximately $40,000 in Samsung technology.
• National Winners – Five schools across the nation will be named winners of the contest and receive more than $120,000 in Samsung technology, as well as a trip to Washington, D.C. where they will be honored by Samsung and meet with several government leaders.

The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest was created in 2010 to encourage innovation while addressing the technology gap in classrooms across the country. Last year, the competition drew more than 3,100 applicants, leading to more active, hands-on STEM learning in schools across the country. Since 2004, Samsung has provided more than $17 million in technology to more than 1,000 public schools in the United States.

To enter the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, and for contest rules, please visit www.samsung.com/solve.

*$2M prize is based on an estimated retail value.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, mobile products and wearables, wireless infrastructure, IT and home appliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S and one of America’s fastest growing home appliance brand. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. We are also leading in the Internet of Things space through, among others, our Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives. We employ 319,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196 billion. To discover more, please visit our official website at www.samsung.com and our official blog at www.global.samsungtomorrow.com.

Contact:

Danielle Meister Cohen

Samsung Electronics America

201-373-7554

D2.Cohen@sea.samsung.com

Jessica Dunten

Allison+Partners

202-223-9260

SamsungSFT@allisonpr.com

KEYWORDS: Education, Technology, Samsung, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, STEM, BrainPOP

SOURCE:General Mills

DESCRIPTION:

Byline by John Church, executive vice president of Global Supply Chain at General Mills.

As the UN Climate Conference in Paris approaches, all eyes will be on government leaders as they negotiate a new global deal to address climate change.

Increasingly volatile weather around the world combined with a global population projected to grow to more than 9 billion by 2050 means climate change has become the most pressing environmental issue that our society faces today. As a food company, climate change will likely have a significant impact on our business, and so we are compelled to act.

Standing up to be a part of the solution

I believe climate change is a shared, global challenge that is best addressed at scale. Every individual, company, industry and government has a role to play.

Like so many of my colleagues and peers, I want to be part of the solution on climate change. This issue is top of mind for General Mills’ consumers, customers and employees, and so addressing climate change is not only imperative to the long term viability of our company, but to each of us as individuals too.

Continue reading on The Guardian >>

Tweet me:.@GeneralMills shares an inside look at its roadmap to mitigate #climate change across the value chain on @guardian http://3bl.me/8c3zgf

KEYWORDS: Environment and Climate Change, General Mills, climate, climate change, Global Warming, TheGuardian

SOURCE:Republic Services

DESCRIPTION:

Returning precious water back to a community's watershed is an important part of operational excellence. #ourblueplanet

Connect with Republic Services on Facebook to learn more!

Tweet me:#FactFriday via @RepublicService: http://3bl.me/94gy3d Returning Precious Water Back to a Community

KEYWORDS: Environment and Climate Change, Business & Trade, Republic Services, operational excellence

SOURCE:Booz Allen Hamilton

DESCRIPTION:

Booz Allen Hamilton―in collaboration with Intel—sponsored SASEhack, the first-ever hackathon of the National Conference of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE). The specialized hackathon invited students with design, engineering, and entrepreneurial interests to collaborate and create innovative solutions for real-world challenges. Teams used Intel Edison Board, Docker, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) platforms to create an Internet of Things concept application to improve health care for senior citizens living in residential settings (e.g., assisted living, their own housing, etc.). Participants successfully built out concept sensors for monitoring blood pressure, vital tracking, and fall detection. Read more about the winning concepts here: http://bit.ly/1NpSA13.

SASE’s National Conference was held at the Houston Technology Center, October 8-10. SASEhack provided an opportunity for leaders from Booz Allen and the local Houston, TX community to mentor participating students as they prepared to present their solutions to a panel of judges. Booz Allen’s partnership with SASE is part of the firm’s commitment to working alongside institutions and professional associations that reflect the interests and diversity of our staff, and help support Booz Allen’s passion for inclusion.

Tweet me:.@BoozAllen, @saseconnect sponsor #SASEhack, challenge students to solve health probs with IoT: http://bit.ly/1NpSA13 #BoozAllenIoT

KEYWORDS: Technology, Booz Allen Hamilton, Intel, Docker, Amazon Web Services, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, SASE, hackathon

Employees show pride for Breast Cancer Awareness and LGBT Spirit Day

SOURCE:Legg Mason

DESCRIPTION:

Each year during the month of October, Legg Mason employees spread awareness by participating in two global initiatives – Wear it Pink and Spirit Day.

Employees in our Maryland, New York, Connecticut and London offices are wearing pink today, October 23rd for Breast Cancer Now’s “Wear it Pink” initiative. Furthermore, the Firm will make contributions to Breast Cancer Now, as well as Pushing Pink Elephants, a Baltimore based organization striving to “push beyond” cancer awareness to educate and provide the community with a broader understanding of breast and ovarian health.

Additionally, LEAD (LGBTQ Employees & Allies for Diversity), one of seven Legg Mason Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), sponsored Spirit Day on October 15th. Employees took part by wearing purple to honor the stance against bullying and supporting the LGBT community. Hundreds of dollars were raised to benefit GLAAD for LGBT Youth Outreach efforts.

Check us out on Facebook to see what else we're doing in our communities!

Tweet me:Legg Mason Goes Pink and Purple in October @leggmason http://3bl.me/8wdq78

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, LGBT, Awareness, breast cancer, Breast Cancer Now, #PushingPinkElephants, UK, #WearitPink, #SpiritDay, legg mason

SOURCE:America's Charities

DESCRIPTION:

The NonProfit Times published an article this week citing findings from the inaugural Money Mindset Report by Thrivent Financial. According to the report, among the biggest obstacles to giving is affordability, and about 1 in 8 Americans surveyed said it’s because they “can’t give enough to make a difference.”

This belief of not having enough to give to make a difference is similar to the argument some people make when it comes to voting. But try telling a senator who wins by 18 votes that your vote doesn’t matter and I promise they’ll give you an earful.

While it often feels like one individual’s actions doesn’t have an impact on the big picture, the truth is that we all have the power to make a difference and influence change. In fact, the majority of giving (at least 72% of total annual donations) is from individuals, which equated to roughly $258.5 billion in charitable donations in 2014. And each year, approximately $4 billion is donated by individuals through workplace giving programs, in which employees can donate to nonprofits directly from their paycheck (one of the most cost-effective ways to raise money for charities).

What difference does this make?

America’s Charities manages workplace giving campaigns for companies, and we also help our nonprofit members get listed as choices in private and public workplace giving campaigns that we don’t manage, like the Combined Federal Campaign and several State and Local campaigns. As a result, we have access to quite a bit of data, so we’ll use the 2014 pledge results for one of America’s Charities’ members as an example. For privacy purposes we will not reveal the name of the organization, but we will share some real figures to prove the collective power of individual giving.

Through the workplace giving results we have access to, this nonprofit received nearly $300,000 as a result of donations made through 217 different workplace giving campaigns that took place in 49 states across the United States in 2014. Thousands of individual employees contributed to that $300,000. There was actually a campaign where the total amount donated to this nonprofit was less than $10.

Of course, that’s not a lot of money. But what about the other campaigns? There was one campaign where the total amount donated to this nonprofit was $25, and another campaign where the total was $52. Even the campaigns where the total was in the thousands, if you look at the individual donations within those campaigns – you’re looking at small contributions donated by several employees.

At what point is a single donation enough to make a difference? If the individuals who donated $3, $25, and $57.99 each decided that their donation wasn’t enough to make a difference, the 2014 pledge results for this particular nonprofit could easily have been $100,000 or $200,000 less – and ask ANY nonprofit, that is a big difference.

So whatever cause matters most to you, give as much as you can afford this year – even if it’s just $5.  No matter how insignificant you think it is, your donation will be of substantial importance to those helped by that nonprofit. And once you have donated, don’t stop there. Read our blog post, “You’ve made a donation, now what?” and consider different ways you can connect with the nonprofit throughout the year to gain a better understanding of the impact your donation is having.

Tweet me:.@AmerCharities: #Donations: How Much is Enough to #MakeADifference? http://bit.ly/1XoMGBZ

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Business & Trade, employee giving programs, Donations, America's Charities, Employee Engagement, Fundraising, cause marketing, corporate philanthropy, workplace giving, csr

SOURCE:BC Salmon Farmers Association

SUMMARY:

Founded in 1994 with only three employees, Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish Inc. has evolved into one of the largest employers in Port Hardy. Over the last two decades, the seasonal seafood locker for sport fishers with a small smoker and one freezer has grown into a thriving commercial business that provides jobs for 65 full-time employees in a 50,000 square foot facility.

DESCRIPTION:

For Bruce and Carol Dirom, smoking salmon began as a hobby, as well as a way to supplement their family’s income. Founded in 1994 with only three employees, Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish Inc. has evolved into one of the largest employers in Port Hardy.

Over the last two decades, the seasonal seafood locker for sport fishers with a small smoker and one freezer has grown into a thriving commercial business that provides jobs for 65 full-time employees in a 50,000 square foot facility.

With children of their own, Bruce and Carol recognize the importance of family. Although it’s been a lot of work for them to manage both building a business and raising a family, Carol admits that having the flexibility to manage her own work schedule allowed her to be available to take care of the kids from home.

“Sometimes it felt like we were raising four kids not three,” said Carol. “Our oldest son is involved in the business now, and has spent the last couple of summers completely chained to work. He now understands that when you own a business, you don’t get a day off.”

Carol credits part of their family’s success to the employees who have helped them build their business over the years. “We’re fortunate that we have employees who are as dedicated to the company as Bruce and I are, and I think it’s because we’ve worked really hard alongside them and they respect that,” said Carol. “We have quite a few employees that have been with us for ten to fifteen years, and they are such a huge part of who we are, where we are today, and the direction that we’re going in.”

Starting with a humble beginning, its businesses like Hardy Buoys that contribute immensely to the communities they operate in. As it continues to grow, new opportunities arise, the most recent being a contract with Country Grocer to carry the brand in 7 stores across Vancouver Island. 

“We’re in business to make money,” said Carol. “But there are a lot of decisions that we make where the money is secondary. First and foremost, we want economic development and growth for Port Hardy.”

To promote their new partnership with Country Grocers, Bruce and Carol will be doing in-store demos in all 7 Country Grocer stores from October 30^th to November 5^th. Their smoked salmon cheese ball recipe uses the Atlantic Salmon Candy Nuggets that will be sampled to customers during the demos. 

Tweet me:Hardy Buoys has grown from humble beginnings to being one of Port Hardy's largest employers http://3bl.me/5wgv9v #SmallBusinessWeek

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, Diversity and Human Resources, Hardy Buoys, Port Hardy, small business week, smoked salmon, BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA)

SOURCE:Keystone Human Services

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:Good dogs, training, & matches make for an amazing team training says @SSDOGS director Pam Foreman http://3bl.me/x2rzhh #servicedogs

Contact Info:

Ann Moffitt
Keystone Human Services
+1 (717) 232-7509ext. 133
amoffitt@keystonehumanservices.org

Kerry Wevodau
Susquehanna Service Dogs
+1 (717) 599-5920
kwevodau@keystonehumanservices.org

KEYWORDS: Health, Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Susquehanna Service Dogs, Keystone Human Services, #ssdogs

SOURCE:Sanofi

DESCRIPTION:

This post was authored by John Spinnato, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sanofi North America, and President, The Sanofi Foundation for North America. John shares perspective on a holistic approach to diverse, local Corporate Social Responsibility.

Stephen R. Covey, author of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, once wrote that “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” Here at Sanofi, diversity is a key element — center to strengthening our business, workforce and culture, as well as the environments in which our employees work and live. It is also essential to our philanthropic platform, interwoven in areas such as employee volunteerism and philanthropic donations.

This week, we held the first ever Sanofi in Our Communities, Celebrating Diversity (SOCCD) event at our Bridgewater, NJ headquarters. Led by the collaborative efforts of the Sanofi Foundation for North America, North America CSR, and Sanofi’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, SOCCD provided each of our nine Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) an opportunity to fund up-to-two non-profits. Each ERG selected a local organization, based upon their own unique initiative and demographic that their group of colleagues supports.

One example — our CancerConnect ERG – a group focused on helping employees cope with cancer and make informed decisions for themselves and loved ones – nominated the New Jersey chapter of the American Cancer Society. SOCCD contributed a total of $100,000 to fund 11 selected non-profits.

The first-time program was a memorable evening for all involved. For more about the event, and a full list of all ERGs and Somerset County organizations, click here: http://3blmedia.com/News/Sanofi-Drives-Diversity-While-Donating-100000-Critical-New-Jersey-Non-Profit-Organizations

Tweet me:Sanofi In Our Communities, Celebrating Diversity http://3bl.me/zmk562

KEYWORDS: Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Awards and Recognition, American Cancer Society, Garden State Equality Education Fund, Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, Camp Nejeda, Resource Center of Somerset, Dress for Success, Rutgers University Foundation, New Jersey Seeds, Good Grief, Deirdre's House, National Black NBA Association, Sanofi, inclusion, New Jersey, Bridgewater, Sanofi Foundation for North America, employee resource group

Guest blog by Hazen Henderson, Ethical Markets

SOURCE:Justmeans

DESCRIPTION:

The best way to ensure that your diamond is not bloodstained from conflicts is to buy an identical gem created by human science.  These can be indistinguishable from diamonds mined from the Earth and avoid polluting the planet and exploiting miners, hundreds of whom die every year.  The growing science-created diamond industry is the biggest challenge yet to the mystique of mined diamonds.

Remember when women proudly wore fur coats, some from endangered species?  Today’s women are more likely to fear public scorn.  Furry fabrics are now the fashion.  Could the same fate befall diamonds and other gems mined out of Mother Earth?

To continue reading, click here

Tweet me:New #tech and trends allow for lab-created, conflict-free diamonds and gemstones http://bit.ly/1LRCcnw via @Justmeans @ethicalmarkets

KEYWORDS: Ethical Production and Consumption, synthetic diamonds, blood diamonds, Standards, Justmeans, Ethical Markets, gemstones