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ATLANTA, Oct. 29, 2007, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE: NWL)today announced the launch of Investing in Community, a new strategic, company-wide community investment program, with an initial planned spend of $2 million annually beginning in 2008. Investing in Community is designed to maximize the company's impact in communities through cash and in- kind contributions and employee and executive involvement.
Newell Rubbermaid will kick off the program with a Week of Caring, Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, by inviting employees to donate a book or school supplies for children at local Boys & Girls Clubs and schools.
Investing in Community was developed to address community needs while aligning with Newell Rubbermaid's core consumers and overall business objectives. During the company's more than 100-year history, Newell Rubbermaid's businesses have made significant contributions to worthy social causes in their local communities. Now, Newell Rubbermaid is elevating its giving to a corporate-wide level to provide greater focus and impact.
"For the first time, through Investing in Community, we are able to harness the philanthropic efforts of all of our employees and brands to yield a greater, more visible impact in the communities where we operate," said Mark Ketchum, president and chief executive officer of Newell Rubbermaid. "We recognize the importance of giving back to our core consumers, and we are committed to building a best-in-class community involvement program that makes a difference in the lives of our consumers and our employees."
Investing in Community will focus on three key areas of particular interest to core consumers of Newell Rubbermaid's brands and is aligned with relevant life stages:
-- Growing Up: Investments in providing the infants and children who use
Newell Rubbermaid products with a positive start and the tools to
succeed in adulthood (including child development programs and in-
classroom programs such as Junior Achievement and Students In Free
Enterprise).
-- Getting Ahead: Investments in the education and advancement of the
many professionals who use Newell Rubbermaid products (including
professional, trade and technical schools).
-- Giving Back: Investments in enriching the lives of Newell Rubbermaid
employees and all consumers through activism and awareness (such as
cause marketing programs, volunteer activities, national walks/runs
such as Living Beyond Breast Cancer).
Many Newell Rubbermaid brands will continue to make significant cause- related investments on their own with organizations that are aligned with their unique markets and consumers. Last year, this activity amounted to approximately $1.5 million in cash and in-kind donations, including Rubbermaid(R) and Goody(R) affiliations with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a Sharpie(R) "Autographs For Action" program that benefits schools and charities around the country and Goody's "Girls On The Run" sponsorship to help preteen girls build self-esteem through running.
Organizations whose programs and services meet the strategies of Investing in Community, maintain a current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and are recognized as a public charity under Section 509(a) of the IRS Code are eligible for support. They may learn more about how to apply for a grant beginning on Oct. 29 by visiting the Investing in Community section of the Newell Rubbermaid Web site, www.newellco.com/socialresponsibility.
About the Company
Newell Rubbermaid Inc. is a global marketer of consumer and commercial products with sales of approximately $6 billion and a strong portfolio of brands, including Sharpie(R), Paper Mate(R), DYMO(R), EXPO(R), Waterman(R), Parker(R), Rolodex(R), IRWIN(R), LENOX(R), BernzOmatic(R), Rubbermaid(R), Graco(R), Calphalon(R) and Goody(R). The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and has approximately 22,500 employees worldwide.
This press release and additional information about the company are available on the company's Web site, www.newellrubbermaid.com.
NWL-EX
SOURCE Newell Rubbermaid Inc.
http://www.newellco.com
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