Last year, Kellogg won a Summit
Award for its employees' efforts. This year's honor, said United Way's
national president and CEO Brian Gallagher, recognizes "Kellogg
Company's rich history of corporate social responsibility and charitable
efforts."
In a news release, Gallagher said, "Their corporate culture of giving
is an inspiration to us all."
And while the award is more focused on the company, Kellogg's
president and CEO, David Mackay, fine-tuned the focus to the people —
employees and retirees — who make up the company and its United Way
giving efforts.
"The United Way's recognition of our efforts is a great honor as we
continue to challenge and inspire ourselves to make a stronger, lasting
impact within the communities in which we live and work," Mackay said in
a prepared statement. "We're proud that Kellogg employees and retirees
support and encourage the company's investment in these communities with
their generous contributions and volunteer efforts."
Mike Larson, president and chief professional officer for the United
Way of Greater Battle Creek, was there for the meeting of staff leaders
in Pittsburgh.
"The real significance of this is that we know the reality of what
Kellogg does for our community," Larson said Thursday. "This is
recognition of the significance of it nationally. This puts them up
against some of the biggest Fortune 500 companies. We're very fortunate,
we're very blessed, to have a company with the corporate culture that
they have in our community."
Tim Knowlton, Kellogg's vice president for corporate social
responsibility, called it "an award that is both deserved and earned by
Kellogg people."
The honor recognizes not just the successful United Way giving
campaigns, he said, but also the workers' community engagement.
More than 1,200 Kellogg employees participated in United Way Days of
Caring volunteer projects this year, Knowlton said.
On the financial side, Knowlton said eight of 10 Battle Creek workers
contributed to the company's record-setting $2.6 million gift to the
United Way of Greater Battle Creek campaign last fall. The total,
including the company's dollar-for-dollar match of giving by employees
and retirees, made up about 52 percent of the entire $5.03 million
raised in Battle Creek.
Knowlton said 99 percent of the company's executives contribute to
United Way, with an average gift of $1,600.
Overall, Kellogg, its workers and retirees gathered $4.4 million to
contribute to 31 United Way campaigns across the United States.
Robert Warner can be reached at 966-0674 or
rwarner@gannett.com.
