2004 Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner
Showcasing Achievement
December 2, 2004
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Washington, D.C.
 The 2004 Corporate Citizenship Awards highlighted tremendous achievements by the business community in every category.
"In 2004, we saw remarkable contributions by the business community in terms of disaster assistance, community service, and support for our troops," said Suzanne Clark, Chamber chief operating officer and CCC president. "We also recognized some exceptional companies whose business success stemmed from their core values."
CCC announced the winners during their annual awards dinner on December 2 at Chamber headquarters. Thomas Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber, and Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans hosted the event and Ron Insana of CNBC served as the Master of Ceremonies.
The Awards and Winners:
The Citizen in Action Award
This award is presented to a company that has exemplified the highest ideals of corporate citizenship through heroic action. Many case studies of citizenship in action are not publicized, and companies do not expect recognition for their heroic acts. This award seeks to give corporate heroes their due.
The five finalists in this category thought big – very big. They trained an entire nation's teacher corps to use technology, engaged every single student in a community, promoted a better understanding of history throughout the U.S., gave every Habitat for Humanity home in North America a refrigerator and range, and conducted a massive, unprecedented hurricane relief effort and backed that up with a company-wide community service campaign. Here is a brief snapshot of each of the finalists' stories of service:
The Home Depot, Inc.
Winner
Robert Nardelli, Chairman, President and CEO, The Home Depot, Inc., accepts the award from Suzanne Clark, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Home Depot is being recognized for its exemplary corporate citizenship and leadership in addressing critical national issues, both ongoing and emergent. The Home Depot's leadership can be characterized as both heroic and courageous. Here are three examples of its corporate citizenship in action:
The Home Depot and its global network of suppliers drove the largest supply and relief mission in its 25-year history after a string of hurricanes and severe storms hit Florida and the southeastern states. Working around the clock with national and local governments and emergency management organizations, the company provided products and volunteers to hundreds of communities and donated $4 million for relief and rebuilding efforts.
The Home Depot implemented the first-ever National Week of Service led by a corporation. This unprecedented event resulted in more than 250,000 hours of service in one week by more than 50,000 associates, demonstrating the transformative power of service as citizenship in action.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, The Home Depot established Project Homefront, a volunteer program that helped military families repair and maintain their homes while a family member was serving our country.
Intel Technologies Philippines Inc.
Finalist
Intel Technology Philippines successfully implemented various education programs under Intel Innovation in Education to meet the needs of Filipino students and teachers:
- Intel Philippine Science Fair: The Intel Philippine Science Fair is the largest annual nationwide competition among Filipino high school students.
- Intel Teach to the Future: The Intel Teach to the Future program is a professional development program about the effective use of technology in the classroom.
- Intel Computer Clubhouse: Intel Philippines established two Intel Computer Clubhouses, one in Mater Dolorosa Parish in Makati City and another in General Trias, Cavite.
- Higher Education: Intel Philippines supports curricular development programs in Philippine universities.
MassMutual Financial Group
Finalist
The MassMutual Financial Group, a Springfield, Massachusetts-based company, deserves recognition for its financial dedication and staff commitment to Step Up Springfield (SUS), a communitywide effort to improve academic proficiency and character development among the city's 27,000 public school students. MassMutual, one of Springfield's largest employers with 4,000 employees, is at the forefront of SUS, contributing $300,000 and extensive staff time to the initiative.
Siemens
Finalist
Siemens work with the National Archives and National History Day (NHD) has helped students across the United States. Siemens' support includes Our Documents, an initiative that encourages teachers and middle and high school students to examine 100 of the most significant documents in American history. The People's Vote: 100 Documents That Shaped America was part of the Our Documents initiative funded by Siemens. This program engaged students and all Americans in a lively and thoughtful debate on which 10 documents in American history are most influential.
Whirlpool
Finalist
Whirlpool is the largest global corporate partner of Habitat for Humanity. The partnership is consistent with Whirlpool's vision of "Every Home, Everywhere." Whirlpool increasingly seeks to benefit Habitat for Humanity's efforts around the world through product donations, house sponsorship, employee involvement, Habitat for Humanity brand growth, and advocacy. As part of this involvement Whirlpool has donated a refrigerator and a range to every house built in North America since 1999.
The International American Chamber Community Service Award
This award is presented to an American Chamber of Commerce based outside the United States that has exemplified the ideals of corporate citizenship through a specific community service program promoting better corporate-community relations and contributing to the social and economic development of its host country.
American Chamber of Commerce Singapore
Winner
U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, Frank Lavin accepts the award on behalf of AmCham Singapore from Raymond Gilmartin, Chairman, President and CEO, Merck & Co., Inc.
AmCham Singapore is being recognized for its overall corporate social responsibility program, which includes three initiatives. AmCham Singapore's Corporate Community Day works with U.S. multinational corporations to help them create community-focused activities with employee volunteers. AmCham's HIV/AIDS Task Force encourages member companies to establish HIV/AIDS education programs in their workplaces. AmCham's scholarship program supports students at the Singapore Management University.
American Chamber of Commerce Chile
Finalist
AmCham Chile is being recognized for its work during the negotiation and approval process of the United States–Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The chamber brought together companies of all sizes in the United States and Chile, as well as government representatives in both countries who understood the benefits of the FTA. Through the alliances that AmCham forges, actions are developed to facilitate the use of the FTA. These actions have included the elaboration of an online FTA manual for small and medium-size companies, trade missions, and productivity studies.
American Chamber of Commerce Romania
Finalist
AmCham Romania is being recognized for its national outreach program People for People, which recognizes accomplishments in corporate social responsibility. The program includes showcasing companies, nonprofits, and individuals who have given back to their communities. The chamber's program highlights examples of business initiatives that successfully support social causes and best practices.
The U.S. Chamber Community Service Award
This award is presented to a state, regional, or local chamber of commerce that has exemplified the ideals of corporate citizenship through a specific community service program promoting better corporate–community relations and contributing to the social and economic development of its community.
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Winner
Bill Blazar, Senior Vice President, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce accepts the award from Robert Nardelli, Chairman, President and CEO, The Home Depot, Inc.
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is being recognized for its partnership with New Ventures in Philanthropy and Building Business Investment in Community (BBIC). BBIC created "Minnesota Business Gives — Strong Businesses, Strong Communities," a comprehensive package of tools to help businesses develop, strengthen, and expand their community activities. The program also provides new services that local chambers can offer their members. BBIC's Web site serves as a primary source of information on giving for Minnesota businesses.
Baltimore/Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce
Finalist
The Baltimore/Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce (BWCC) is being recognized for the work of its foundation. The foundation, in cooperation with government and corporate partners, hosts an Annual Mathematics Symposium for middle and high school math teachers in the Baltimore-Washington region. The program provides a significant opportunity for corporations to support skill sets that are critical to the continued success of American business and industry. This year marked BWCC's 10th year of service to the educational community.
Highland County Chamber of Commerce
Finalist
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is being recognized for its work with Turning Point Applied Learning Center, a 501(c)(3) that was created through the efforts of the Highland Chamber to serve as a catalyst to move people from welfare to self-sufficiency, lower recidivism rates of criminal offenders, and provide an available pool of trained and willing workers. The program includes businesses, industries, county government, education, the courts and adult parole programs, and a variety of nonprofit agencies.
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
Finalist
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce is being recognized for its services to the Manhattan community through its Community Benefit Fund Street Fairs which bring together the business community, the residents, and the nonprofit social service organizations that strive to improve the quality of life in Manhattan. The money raised through these fairs allows the Chamber to provide direct monetary grants to a wide variety of schools, libraries, community service programs and other nonprofit organizations in Manhattan.
Corporate Stewardship Awards
These awards are presented to companies that exemplify the highest ideals in corporate stewardship. The Stewardship Awards are presented in three categories--Small, Midsize, and Large Business--based on annual revenue. Stewardship is about using resources as effectively and as conscientiously as possible, and the Awards illustrate how companies add value to their communities in multiple ways. Here is a list of the exemplary companies who were selected as finalists for these awards.
Corporate Stewardship Small Business Award
Seventh Generation, Inc.
Winner
Jeff Hollander, President, Seventh Generation, accepts the award from Secretary Evans and Tom Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Seventh Generation, Inc., fosters positive social and environmental change through innovations in producing paper, household cleaning, and baby diaper/wipe products using natural ingredients.
The Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association
Finalist
The Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association supports a culture of community involvement. Its philanthropic efforts include scholarships for kids who are cancer survivors through the nonprofit CARTI, a radiation therapy center that assists in meeting the current and future needs of Arkansas cancer patients and their families.
Effective Teleservices Inc.
Finalist
Effective Teleservices Inc., a global provider of customer relation management and call center outsourcing solutions, has generated over 1,300 jobs in East Texas and demonstrated a commitment to employee welfare and development, providing high quality, educational opportunities for all employees and promoting employee welfare through its corporate wellness program and wide range of benefits.
Thrift Institute Community Investment Corporation
Finalist
Thrift Institute Community Investment Corporation of New Jersey pools resources from community banks and provides communities with financing for affordable housing and community development projects. It is the only corporation of its kind in New Jersey and one of very few nationwide.
Corporate Stewardship Midsize Business Award
University Bank
Finalist
 David Reiling, President and CEO, University Bank, accepts the award from Secretary Evans and Tom Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
University Bank has achieved success through its dedication to corporate stewardship. The bank develops inventive products and services that serve economically disadvantaged communities that some see as a liability. University Bank sees these communities as an opportunity and, as a result, creates conditions for long-term, sustainable prosperity. In addition, University Bank has demonstrated a commitment to local community philanthropy and has encouraged a culture of volunteerism.
Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold
Finalist
Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold works with the people of Indonesia to develop local communities and preserve local customs and habitats while operating a world-class mining operation. Freeport provides opportunities for social, educational, and economic development, including special efforts to train and hire those indigenous to the area.
KPMG LLP
Finalist
KPMG LLP, a leading professional services firm in the United States, is committed to the communities it serves as well as the highest standards of business conduct. KPMG has a history of philanthropy, stemming primarily from the efforts of the KPMG Foundation and Involve, the firm's national community involvement program, operational in 87 U.S. cities.
SAP America
Finalist
SAP America giving includes local, national, and individual components, which it leverages for the greatest impact in philanthropic endeavors. Through its commitment and partnership with the KIPP Academy, SAP demonstrates what is possible when the public and private sector join to close the achievement gap in public schools.
Taco, Inc.
Finalist
Taco, Inc., promotes diversity and employee training. Its Taco Learning Centers are dedicated to furthering the skills of employees so that they and Taco can meet the challenges of the ever-competitive marketplace while imparting the importance of individual participation in making Rhode Island and the community a better place in which to live and work.
Corporate Stewardship Large Business Award
Office Depot
Winner
Charlie Brown, Chief Financial Officer, Office Depot, accepts the award from Secretary Evans and Tom Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Office Depot demonstrates the fundamental importance of corporate social responsibility, particularly in the fields of the environment and education. Operating more than 1,000 stores worldwide, the $12 billion office supplies company is the world's leading retailer of recycled paper products; it just developed the country's first free, nationwide, in-store electronics recycling program; and through its National Backpack Program, it has provided a quarter of a million underprivileged children in the United States and Canada with free backpacks and school supplies.
Marriott International
Finalist
Marriott International is part of thousands of communities around the world and helps those communities thrive. Marriott's determination to contribute to these communities stems from a philosophy it has valued for 75 years, the "spirit to serve." JW Marriott Jakarta for example took heroic steps after the terrorist attack there. In partnership with USAID, JW Marriott established a trust fund and ensured people's needs were met and no corruption took place.
Microsoft
Finalist
Microsoft works toward a mission to "enable people and businesses the world over to realize their full potential." Microsoft is the single largest corporate donor to education programs in the United States. Through programs like Unlimited Potential, the company has demonstrated its commitment to closing the digital divide.
The Principal Financial Group
Finalist
The Principal Financial Group, a great American success story, is committed to the values that have defined the organization for 125 years: "Customer Focus, Financial Strength, People Development, Operational Excellence, and Integrity." It is a leader in philanthropy and volunteerism and focuses on building up the individuals and communities it serves. As one of the largest employers in the Greater Des Moines area, Principle Financial is the major contributor for the expansion and revitalization of the Des Moines riverfront, and has supported improvements in the areas regional arts, culture, and recreation.
Sprint
Finalist
Sprint has been an ally to the community, demonstrating this commitment through long-term charitable and civic involvement for more than 100 years. Through the Sprint Foundation, volunteer efforts of 61,000 employees, and corporate-wide programs of responsibility, Sprint is making a difference in the communities it serves. Sprint has progressed as an employer, business partner, and as a corporate citizen. It has provided business opportunities for minority and woman-owned businesses and nurtured its own diverse work environment.
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