Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/715089
"The campaign provided a successful launch to this element of Crowley Cares. We were able to build interest and engagement with employees to establish a foundation for growth," said Senior Vice President and General Manager Rob Grune, petroleum services, who was the first campaign sponsor. Employees are making an impact by leveraging their contributions plus the company matching contributions to aid non-profit organizations. Crowley's U.S. administrative employees, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, donate money using payroll deductions, or make one-time contributions, to one or more non-profits through the foundation. The company matches those contributions at 100 percent, sending the employees' full donation and an additional 50 percent to their selected non-profits. The remaining 50 percent of the company match goes into the foundation for additional giving as directed by the Crowley Cares Committee, which primarily selects non- profits focused on education, health and wellness. Story continued on page 22 charitable giving in order to maximize the company's impact in communities where it operates. To date, Crowley Cares has supported Joe's Army with contributions totaling $6,000, including $2,500 in 2016. "It goes with Crowley – we're kind of all family, right?" said Hebert. "Heart disease touches everyone's lives and 80 percent of heart disease is preventable. As a community, we can take charge of our own health and encourage our friends and family to do the same." The Crowley Cares program includes the Crowley Cares Foundation, a non- profit designed to match and grow charitable contributions by employees in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands; the Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship program, which supports students at various colleges, universities and maritime academies in the U.S., Central America and Puerto Rico; and the Crowley Cares Committee, a steering group of employees that helps build engagement in the program, manages support requests and volunteer initiatives, and recommends additional corporate charitable giving. "The Crowley Cares program embodies the commitment by our company to support our employees' lives and the communities we serve," said Michael Roberts, senior vice president and general counsel. "By utilizing a foundation to match our employees' contributions, we can maximize the positive impact in our communities." At the beginning of 2016, more than 200 employees were participating in the Crowley Cares financial match program, benefiting more than 150 charities. After the introduction of the foundation last year and the first fundraising campaign in November, annualized contributions are projected to be $250,000 for 2015-16. "Considering we started at zero one year ago, that's remarkable acceptance and support by the entire Crowley team," said Bryan Lee, vice president, human resources. "And we're working on further improvements that will increase opportunities for giving and volunteerism throughout the company." With these early successes, the program carries out Crowley's commitment to making positive impacts in its communities. Right: American Heart Association's Kristin Luby accepts a donation from Crowley employee Amanda Hebert of Anchorage, Alaska. Crowley Cares has assisted Hebert's effort to raise awareness of heart conditions in memory of her cousin. 21 Connections Summer 2016