BALTIMORE, MD -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/15/08 -- United
Way of America today presented Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Insurance ® with its
highest national honor -- the United Way Spirit of America® Award
-- to recognize the company's outstanding commitments to philanthropy,
volunteerism, workplace giving and overall partnership with United Way to
strengthen communities across the country. Nationwide CEO Jerry Jurgensen
accepted the award at the 2008 United Way Community Leaders Conference
Awards Gala in Baltimore, Maryland.
Eli Lilly and Company, General Mills, Inc., Kellogg Company and Kimberly-Clark Corporation were
also recognized as 2008 Summit Award winners for their community work.
"Nationwide Insurance exemplifies the United Way Spirit of America Award in
every sense, from its volunteer philosophy of transforming lives in
critical moments to its strategic philanthropic investments to meet the
most pressing needs in communities," said United Way of America President
and CEO Brian A. Gallagher. "They are a valued partner and a model of
corporate social responsibility in action."
Nationwide Insurance, who also won the Spirit of America Award in 2001 for
their 2000 campaign, is only the third company in the history of the Spirit
of America Awards Program to win a second time. Nationwide's win is not
surprising, considering their strong support of communities and partnership
with United Way and many other community partners. In 2007, Nationwide
associates, agents and retirees pledged $8.75 million. The Nationwide
Foundation matches associate gifts dollar-for-dollar, resulting in a
donation of approximately $17 million benefiting 800 local United Ways
across the country. Since 2000, the Nationwide Foundation has made grants
of more than $190 million to various nonprofits.
Nationwide's commitment to communities does not end with monetary
investments. Over 170 Nationwide executives currently serve on more than
200 nonprofit boards throughout the United States. In addition, thousands
of Nationwiders are actively engaged in volunteering in their communities
through the On Your Side Volunteer Network®. More than 5,500 Nationwide
associates have logged more than 72,000 volunteer hours since the program
was created in 2005.
Nationwide's strategic community support also includes hands-on
partnerships with United Way. For example, Nationwide provided United Way
of Central Ohio with housing and services grants for 200 homeless men and
women. Nationwide also provided United Way of Delaware County (Ohio) with a
grant and volunteers to launch their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
initiative to help hardworking people improve their financial stability.
Lastly, Nationwide's call center staff worked hand-in-hand with their local
United Way in Gainesville, Florida, to build a 2-1-1 infrastructure so
people can call to give and get help. The company also distributes United
Way Born Learning materials and hosts mini-seminars for expectant
Nationwiders to provide important childhood development information.
"Nationwide is proud to partner with United Way to strengthen the
communities we call home," said Jerry Jurgensen, CEO of Nationwide. "It is
Nationwide's exceptional associates, agents and retirees who won United
Way's Spirit of America Award today, thanks to their dedication and
commitment to helping people in need."
In addition to the 2008 Spirit of America Award, United Way presented four
other companies with Summit Awards for exceptional performance in:
Corporate Philanthropy, Community Investment, Community Volunteerism and/or
Community Impact.
2008 Summit Award winners:
The Spirit of America Award, now in its 21st year, is United Way's highest
national honor for a corporation, recognizing the United Way National Corporate
Leadership (NCL) company with the most comprehensive commitment to
improving lives and strengthening communities. The program is open to any
NCL company, leading national and global corporations that partner with
United Way to advance the common good. Applicants are evaluated by their
NCL peers, labor representatives and local United Way professionals.
For more information on Spirit of America, NCL and how corporations can get
involved in their communities with United Way, visit
http://national.unitedway.org/ncl/, or contact Amanda Ponzar,
Communications Director, at amanda.ponzar@uwa.unitedway.org.
About United Way
United Way is a global network, including nearly 1,300 local organizations
in the U.S. that advance the common good, creating opportunities for a
better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of
education, income and health. The United Way movement creates long lasting
community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that
prevent progress in these areas. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for
everyone to become part of the change. For more information about United
Way, please visit: LIVEUNITED.org.
About Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified
insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than
$161 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks #108 on the Fortune 500 list. The
company provides a full range of insurance and financial services,
including auto insurance, motorcycle insurance, boat insurance, home
insurance, life insurance, farm insurance, commercial insurance,
administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions,
long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more
information, visit www.nationwide.com.
About Lilly
Lilly (NYSE: LLY), a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a
growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical
products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide
laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations.
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through
medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical
needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.
About General Mills
General Mills is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer
foods products. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, General Mills' mission is
to innovate to make people's lives healthier, easier, and richer around the
world. The General Mills Foundation, celebrating more than 50 years of
giving, focuses on nourishing communities. In fiscal 2007, General Mills
awarded $82 million to communities across the country, representing more
than 5 percent of company pretax profits that year. Of the total, the
General Mills Foundation contributed more than $20 million in grants in the
targeted areas of youth nutrition and fitness, social services, education,
and arts and culture. Visit generalmills.com.
About Kellogg Company
With 2007 sales of nearly $12 billion, Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) is the
world's leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience
foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, frozen
waffles, and meat alternatives. The company's brands include Kellogg's,
Keebler, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Cheez-It, Club, Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies,
Special K, All-Bran, Mini-Wheats, Morningstar Farms, Famous Amos, Ready
Crust and Kashi. Kellogg products are manufactured in 18 countries and
marketed in more than 180 countries around the world. For more
information, visit the Kellogg Company web site at www.kelloggcompany.com.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part
of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion
people -- nearly a quarter of the world's population -- trust K-C brands
and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and
well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex
and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in more
than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more
about the company's 136-year history of innovation, visit
www.kimberly-clark.com.
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Media Contacts:
Sally Fabens
703-836-7112, x401
Email Contact
Mike Switzer
Nationwide
614-249-4092
Email Contact
