Corporate Social Responsibility

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5.08.2008 - 09:00am ET

CSR News from:	Unilever- USA
News Categories:	Environment
	Community Development

Unilever and the National Park Foundation Announce $240,000 in Grants to National Parks

Unilever Recycling at Work Sustainable Grant Awards and Discretionary Grants Presented at Reception in Washington, DC

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, DC - May 8, 2008 - At a reception held on Capitol Hill yesterday evening, Unilever, one of the world's largest consumer products companies, in partnership with the National Park Foundation (NPF), national charitable partner of America's National Parks, awarded grants to 12 national parks and related park Friends Groups across America totaling $240,000. Unilever U.S. President Kevin Havelock presented the grant awards with NPF President and CEO, Vin Cipolla.

"As the longest-standing corporate partner of the National Park Foundation and with contributions and in-kind donations expected to exceed $50 million by year-end, Unilever is very proud of the work we have accomplished together," said Havelock. "As a global company, we believe we have a responsibility to address social, economic, and environmental challenges that impact our consumers and society and our work with the Parks demonstrates our belief that businesses can do well by doing good."

"As the national charitable partner for our parks, the National Park Foundation believes that it is essential to continue the rich tradition in which the parks were founded and have been sustained – public and private interests working in tandem," said Cipolla. "We are privileged to stand together with charitable partners like Unilever to support projects that help ensure America's 391 national parks remain vital and relevant for the next century."

Unilever's Recycling at Work Sustainable Grant Awards are a core part of the organization’s commitment to preserve and protect America's National Parks through the National Park Foundation. Established as a program within the Foundation in 1998, the Recycling at Work Grants are open to all 391 national parks and awarded to parks that have demonstrated a need for employing sustainable lumber to enhance park infrastructure and, in turn, enhance the visitor experience.

This year's Unilever Recycling at Work Sustainable Grant program recipients include:

Flight 93 Memorial – $17,500 for Sustainable Decking and a Ramp at the park’s new headquarters building

Gateway National Recreation Area, Jamaica Bay Unit – $48,000 for Ecology Village Tent Platforms

Great Sand Dunes National Park National Park and Preserve – $7,900 for replacement of handicapped-accessible Dunes View Boardwalk

Ninety Six National Historic Site – $26,500 for refurbishment of Park footbridges

Yellowstone National Park – $50,000 for the Trails Fund Initiative

Since 1998, Unilever has also awarded more than $1 million in discretionary grants through the National Park Foundation to enhance parks and support their sustainability initiatives. The 2008 recipients of Unilever funded discretionary grants include:

Padre Island National Seashore – $15,000 for Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Preservation Program

National Capital Region – $10,000 for the National Cherry Tree Replacement Fund

The Battery Conservancy – $10,000 for the Conservancy's continued restoration efforts in lower Manhattan

Pea Ridge National Military Park – $10,000 for the restoration of the Park's historic trail system

Save Ellis Island, Inc. – $5,000 for the restoration of Ellis Island and Fort Mason

Statue of Liberty National Monument, Discover Liberty Exhibit – $30,000 representing the first installment of a two-year, $65,000 commitment

Weir Farm Trust – $10,000 for continued restoration efforts in the Park

"We are proud of Unilever's partnership with the National Park Foundation and our involvement with the National Park Service. This commitment is an integral part of our work in the area of social responsibility and sustainable development and we look forward to continuing our partnership," Havelock concluded.
About Unilever

Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase Unilever products.

In the United States, the portfolio includes major brand icons such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs more than 14,000 people in both the United States and Puerto Rico – generating nearly $11 billion in sales in 2007. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com.

About the National Park Foundation

The National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org) is a 501©(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy ensuring funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our national parks. As the official non-profit partner of America's National Parks, the National Park Foundation does not receive federal appropriations for their support. The National Park Foundation serves to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Support of the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our nation remains vital and relevant.

For more information please contact:

Dean Mastrojohn
Unilever, USA
201-894-7760

Anne Marek
National Park Foundation
202-321-5440

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