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Corporate Volunteer Council
Congratulates
the 2009
Corporate
Neighbor Award Winners
Neighbor
of the Year (Large Company)
Neighbor
of the Year (Small Company)
Executive
Volunteer of the Year
Outstanding
Project of the Year
Volunteer
Employee Spirit Award
Corporate
Neighbor of the Year (Large
Company)
Cummins, Inc.
Being a responsible
citizen – demonstrating their commitment to help improve
the community in which they operate -- is truly a business
objective for this year’s recipient of the Large Company
Neighbor of the Year. Volunteerism is supported and
encouraged from the top down and across all functional
areas within the company. The Community Involvement Teams
that are organized within each business entity serve as an
organized employee driven structure through which volunteer
work is carried out within the community.
Employees are encouraged to volunteer during normal
business working hours. This is inclusive of both office
and union shop employees. They have also launched a
service initiative (EEEC – Every Employee Every Community
Day) to allow every employee to use half of a normal work
day to provide service to his or her community.
A few of the
volunteer-related projects that Cummins has been involved
with in the past 12 months:
Tutoring at Treadwell and
Hickory Ridge elementary schools and at the afterschool
program at Lester Community Center; Habitat for Humanity
builds, LeMoyne Owens College projects that provide tuition
assistance to students; Junior Achievement Bowl-A-Thon; MS
Bike Ride; Sickle Cell Walk-A-Thon and their own creative
“Top Chef” competition benefiting Sickle Cell; National
Kidney Foundation; Susan G Komen Race for the Cure and many
more. 65% of Memphis employees actively engaged in the
community
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Corporate
Neighbor of the Year (Small
Company)
Kemmons Wilson
Companies
Kemmons Wilson Companies
believes its employees are the company’s most valuable
assets and they are given ample opportunity to contribute
and grow. Volunteerism is integrated into the business
culture. Employees are committed to numerous community
projects, exemplifying the company’s value of social
responsibility and compassion. Strongly supported by
management in the allocation of resources and time, the
company gives each employee 32 hours that they can apply
toward community service and a have a community committee
to help colleagues assess community needs and utilize their
hours. They hold four “Lunch & Learns” to expose their
employees to area nonprofits and they follow up that
engagement with a volunteer activity with the presenting
nonprofit organization. Kemmons Wilson believes it’s
important for their employees to find a service activity
for which they are passionate. Some of the agencies served
this year by Kemmons Wilson include: AGAPE, Church Health
Center, St. Jude Grizzlies House, Habitat for Humanity,
Humane Society, American Cancer Society, JIFF, Junior
Achievement, Juvenile Diabetes and the Ronald McDonald
House. Tutoring is also an important part of their
employees’ community engagement. It’s clear that everyone
at Kemmons Wilson is deeply committed to the community.
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Executive
Volunteer of the Year Award
Bill
Stanfield,
First
Tennessee
This
year’s Leadership winner leads solely by example. No one
encourages, fosters and supports employee volunteerism
within the company more effectively. This individual works
behind the scenes – not out front standing at the podium.
He embodies the volunteer spirit and inspires it in
others. His work shines a light that illuminates community
needs and provokes a response. Running his department
requires some unique skills and talents – and he shares
that talent within the company and with nonprofit agencies
helping to create images through video that educate people
on important issues and causes and ultimately, the
community needs.
He is always in the background, but the
videos he creates – often on his own time – motivate others
to volunteer. His volunteer leadership has a multiplier
effect – inspiring others through videos to join the fight
– and chances are that you have seen the results of his
work.
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Outstanding
Project
of the Year Award
Baker,
Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
for Barrister’s Pancake Breakfast
The
winning project gives special meaning to the phrase
“Competitors in the Marketplace – Partners in the
Community.” This project brought together a typically
adversarial crowd to help raise funds and awareness for a
cure. Employees from all levels are heavily involved in
the planning and execution of this project. Because of the
nature of the business, the legal community is a great
resource to tap for fundraising and activism. Employees
cook, serve, take tickets and hand out the pretty pink
aprons for the attorneys to wear.
On the flip side, this firm project helped
raise $10,000 to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
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Volunteer
Employee Spirit Award
Larry
Reid
from
AutoZone
This
year’s winner raises the bar when it comes to giving back.
Larry understands the value of corporate commitment and the
vital role companies can play in building strong
relationships with employees, customers and the greater
community. He seeks ways to engage fellow employees and
promote service opportunities throughout the company
network. Larry volunteers for a number of organizations
and projects – from mentoring to bike riding, to clean up
projects and blood donation. If there is a need, he is
there – leading, organizing, recruiting and coordinating
the service of others. His extraordinary service also
extends to the American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and
Babysitting courses he teaches. Almost every Saturday, he
can be found in front of a roomful of attentive
participants as he skillfully teaches life-saving
techniques. Most of the time, a volunteer organization
says “thank you” to their volunteers, but our winner never
misses the opportunity to say “Thank you for letting
me help.” Now that’s gratitude.
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