Hooray for Philip Morris. Warm and Fuzzy time. While they put a good face on it, I'll bet part of the problem was the United Way's tactics against the Boy Scouts. Hopefully other deep pocket corporations will follow.
http://www.independenttribune.com/news3.html
Philip Morris pulls out of United Way
By JOE SCHLATTER
CONCORD - Philip Morris will no longer contribute to the United Way.
The tobacco giant has decided to allow its employees to contribute directly to their communities in whichever way they see fit, said spokesman Benny Darden.
"We are in no way dissatisfied with our involvement with the United Way and have enjoyed our partnership with them," said Darden.
Funds normally collected from employees for the United Way will instead go into a Philip Morris Employee Community Fund.
"This new fund allows our employees to choose where their own contributions go within their own community," Darden said.
The new fund will be managed by employees with an employee committee deciding where the funds will go. Employees will then make actual check presentations in their communities.
"This puts a face on the Philip Morris family which the community can see, bringing us closer to our community," said Darden, whose title is North Carolina community relations director.
He said the company and United Way have had many years of successful partnership and the change is for no other reason than improved community relations.
Philip Morris' sister companies have similar funds and have seen contributions increase from their employees, Darden said.
Tom Dayvault, chairman of United Way in Cabarrus County, agrees that the change is congenial.
"Since the United Way supports its contributing agencies in any way, we are confident that Philip Morris' move is no reflection of dissatisfaction with our campaign," said Dayvault.
He adds that Philip Morris has been an excellent corporate and employee contributor to the United Way.
Employees will be able to make a choice in this yea'rs contribution, the United Way fund or the Philip Morris fund. Next year the Philip Morris fund will be their only option.
Copyright 2000 Media General Newspapers, Inc.
http://www.independenttribune.com/news3.html
Philip Morris pulls out of United Way
By JOE SCHLATTER
CONCORD - Philip Morris will no longer contribute to the United Way.
The tobacco giant has decided to allow its employees to contribute directly to their communities in whichever way they see fit, said spokesman Benny Darden.
"We are in no way dissatisfied with our involvement with the United Way and have enjoyed our partnership with them," said Darden.
Funds normally collected from employees for the United Way will instead go into a Philip Morris Employee Community Fund.
"This new fund allows our employees to choose where their own contributions go within their own community," Darden said.
The new fund will be managed by employees with an employee committee deciding where the funds will go. Employees will then make actual check presentations in their communities.
"This puts a face on the Philip Morris family which the community can see, bringing us closer to our community," said Darden, whose title is North Carolina community relations director.
He said the company and United Way have had many years of successful partnership and the change is for no other reason than improved community relations.
Philip Morris' sister companies have similar funds and have seen contributions increase from their employees, Darden said.
Tom Dayvault, chairman of United Way in Cabarrus County, agrees that the change is congenial.
"Since the United Way supports its contributing agencies in any way, we are confident that Philip Morris' move is no reflection of dissatisfaction with our campaign," said Dayvault.
He adds that Philip Morris has been an excellent corporate and employee contributor to the United Way.
Employees will be able to make a choice in this yea'rs contribution, the United Way fund or the Philip Morris fund. Next year the Philip Morris fund will be their only option.
Copyright 2000 Media General Newspapers, Inc.