TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--During Big Brother Big Sisters of America’s 2015 National Conference Awards Gala, presented by Comcast NBCUniversal, BBBSA recognized corporations and national leaders who have exemplified outstanding dedication to mentorship. Nerium International, Comcast, CST Brands, Dollar General, Reed Smith, LLP and Do it Best Corp. CEO Bob Taylor were all honored during the event.
“As a donor- and volunteer-supported network, our organization could not operate and serve children across the U.S. without the selfless dedication of our corporate partners and their leaders,” said Pam Iorio, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America president and CEO. “The time, funding and pure philanthropic spirit from these partners are helping us provide a brighter and better future for the next generation.”
The highest corporate partner honor of the night, the President’s Award, was presented to Nerium International. Nerium’s financial commitment and collaboration over the last four years has resulted in $2 million for BBBS. Beyond traditional financial commitments, Nerium has strengthened existing campaigns while spearheading new programs expanding brand reach, and has elevated funding through extensive brand partner giving options.
Bob Taylor, president and CEO of Do it Best Corp., received the top individual honor, the Charles G. Berwind Lifetime Achievement Award. For more than a decade, Taylor’s steadfast commitment to serving others has grown from a personal passion to a companywide philosophy on giving and mentorship support. Taylor and home improvement industry partners have raised more than $2.1 million since 1985.
Comcast received the Chairman’s Award for its continued growth of the country’s largest workplace mentoring program, Beyond School Walls, and its generous donations. Comcast has expanded its workplace volunteer model to 15 markets, with 325 Comcast employees as Bigs, and has raised awareness for BBBS through more than $6 million in in-kind media value in 2014. Since 2008, Comcast has generated more than $57 million in cash and in-kind support, including the provision of free PSA airtime.
CST Brands was presented the Community Impact Award, which recognizes a partner whose engaging and unique programming brings together diverse groups across the country in support of BBBS. CST Brands’ activation of its inaugural 2014 CST 5K Country Run campaign financially benefited eight local agencies, raised more than $500,000 and drew thousands of volunteers, donors and participants to put on their country attire to run for BBBS.
Dollar General received the Enterprise Award, which recognizes a BBBS partner whose vision helps lead to innovative programming. Since 2013, Dollar General has invested $300,000 in developing and launching a new national literacy program. In its second year, the literacy program has helped Littles increase their reading level and improve interest in academic reading.
Reed Smith was recognized as this year’s Common Good Award winner. This award recognizes a partner that provides an extensive in-kind investment of services to benefit the common good of BBBS. Since 2012, Reed Smith has provided BBBS and its affiliates with more than $2.1 million in pro bono services that have been critical to the success of the national network.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with screened volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey substantiates that its mentoring programs have proven, positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth — areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency, and college or job readiness. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 110-year history. With 325 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves approximately 200,000 children, their families and 200,000 volunteer mentors. Learn more at www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org.
