U.S. Chamber of Commerce Honors Business' Contribution to Communities

Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release

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11.19.2008 - 10:57am ET

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Honors Business' Contribution to Communities

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 19, 2008 - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) has honored five businesses for their outstanding leadership and commitment to their communities at the 2008 Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner.

"These awards recognize the commitment by the business community to give back," said BCLC Executive Director Stephen Jordan. "We applaud this year's winners for their leadership and commitment to those in need."

KPMG, Harris Corporation, Allstate Insurance Company, Coca-Cola China, and Eli Lilly and Company won awards in the following categories:

Corporate Stewardship, Large Business—KPMG's community service initiatives focus on education and bridging workforce readiness gaps. The initiatives help KPMG meet a compelling national and worldwide need, recruit and develop top talent, and strengthen communities.

Corporate Stewardship, Small/Midsize Business—Harris Corporation has reduced its environmental footprint through water conservation, reductions in emissions, management of hazardous wastes, waste minimization, and redeployment of assets. In the past year, Harris and its employees have donated more than $1.4 million to United Way agencies throughout the United States.

U.S. Community Service—Allstate and the Allstate Foundation developed a national Teen Safe Driving Program as car crashes are the number one killer of U.S. teens. The company creates awareness of this issue through a driver education curriculum for high school drivers and a parent-teen driving contract. Allstate complements these efforts with campaigns and research mobilizing parents, teens, policy leaders, and health care providers.

International Community Service—Coca-Cola China's "New Village Project" in Hanfeng Village resulted in new roads, a free medical clinic, a culture and recreation center, and improved access to energy resources and clean drinking water. Enhanced farming and energy efficiency capabilities have led to a 21% increase in net income for the village's families.

Partnership Award—Eli Lilly and Company and the International Council of Nurses joined efforts to combat the rising threat of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The partnership's activities give nurses the knowledge and tools for detecting, treating, and managing MDR-TB. Millions of people living in high MDR-TB areas benefit from the nurses’ training.

The 9th annual Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner and presentation took place last night at Washington, D.C.'s National Building Museum. Video and photos are available upon request.

BCLC is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is the Chamber's voice and resource for the social and philanthropic interests of the business community. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.