Ongoing Programs
In addition to numerous financial grants in communities where Bemis Company has facilities, cash contributions are made annually through the following programs:
- FoodShare Program
- Educational Gift Matching Plan
- Nonprofit Gift Matching Plan
- Scholarship Program
- UNITED WAY
FoodShare Program
Through the Bemis FoodShare Program, employees have the opportunity to have their contributions to local food banks and food shelves matched by the company. While the match normally is 100 percent (equal to the employee donation), the Bemis Foundation has doubled its match since 1991, reflecting increased needs in Bemis communities. In 2007, employee donations were $73,711, providing a total of $221,133, including the company’s double match. Thank you Bemis employees for supporting your communities!
Pictured is Pat Liegl, Director of Social Services of the Salvation Army in the Fox Valley, and Kim Wetzel, Consultant to the Bemis Company Foundation.
Presentation of a $5,000 check to Catholic Charities Food Bank of Terre Haute. Pictured are Linda Strauss, Executive Assistant PPD; Shirley Matherly, Director of Divisional HR; John Etling, Agency Director, Catholic Charities Terre Haute; Jim Russler, President, PPD and David Grimes, Council President, Catholic Charities Terre Haute
Pauls Valley employees did their usual exceptional FoodShare drive by collecting funds to distribute to eight food pantries in their area.
Greg Vandenlangenberg, VP of Engineering and Stacy Kropidlowski, Executive Assistant, presented checks to the various foodshare organizations in the Curwood-Oshkosh area.
Shelbyville employees raised $644 for Good Samaritan of Bedford County and presented a double matching donation of $1,932 to Cathy Miller, Director of the Bedford County Good Samaritans. Pictured from left to right are: Doris Holder, Kathryn Schultz, Cathy Miller, Warren Sadler, Mary Lynn McCravy, Patrick Harden and Dieter Laem.
New London’s Bemis Facilities (Curwood, Perfecseal, Bemis Graphics, and RE&D) present a check to the New London Community Cupboard in the amount of $5,265. Accepting the donation is Bonnie Bach, representative from the New London Cupboard, and presenting the check is Al Grumann, Curwood Operations Manager.
Americas Second Harvest of Wisconsin also presented the 2007 Hunger’s Hope Award to the Bemis Company Foundation in appreciation of its outstanding contributions toward alleviating hunger. Pictured are: Stacy Kropidlowski (Executive Assistant); Kim Wetzel (BCF Consultant); Susan Baran (Resource Development Manager in Milwaukee) and Heidi Plamann (Manager in Omro)
Educational Gift Matching
Bemis Company gives its employees an opportunity to have their personal contributions to eligible elementary and secondary, vocational/technical schools, colleges and universities double-matched through its Educational Gift Matching Program.
In 2007, $346,888 was expended to provide a 200 percent match to gifts from employees. Over 350 schools benefited from these donations.
Nonprofit Gift Matching
A Gift Matching Plan for Nonprofit Organizations was started in June of 2000. The Plan provides that an employee’s contribution to an eligible nonprofit organization will be matched dollar for dollar. To be eligible, an organization must be nonprofit and be recognized as tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service through code section 501(c)(3) designation. A maximum of $500 will be matched by the Bemis Company Foundation for any one employee during one calendar year. There is a minimum limitation of $25 for any one gift to a single eligible organization.
In 2007, $104,079 was expended to provide a 100 percent match to 675 gifts from employees and retirees. Examples of nonprofit organizations receiving gifts in 2007 are:
Pauls Valley employees were very active in the Relay for Life 2007. Great participation!!!!
Pictured from left to right are Rick Ritter, Tom Ritter, Warren Maruca (celebrating 10 years of riding for runaways) and Warren’ brother, Dave Maruca.
On July 7th, 2007 two hundred cyclists and support crew members from the Flemington area departed on a grueling, one-week, 500 mile marathon ride from Harrisonburg, Virginia to Trenton, New Jersey The goal is to raise money necessary to keep the doors of Anchor House open. Anchor House serves more than 4,000 kids per year and has served over 40,000 youth in its history. The programs at Anchor House get kids off the street, give them shelter, and provide a place for them to live while they learn the skills they need to be independent.
In 2007, Heartwalks were held at the Bemis Poleythylene Packaging Division and in Flemington (see pictures below).
The Polyethylene Packaging Division Dedicated The 2007 Heartwalk In Memory Of...
Maureen Conboy, Retiree
Customer Service Manager
Flemington, NJ Plant
Terre Haute, In 2007 Heartwalk Participants
FRONT ROW (L-R): Jennifer Featherstone, Sherry Norman, Kathy Meneely, Tanner Sparks,
Kara and Anita Royko, Carole Lonneman, Melina Phillips (holding her dog, Lucy),
Angie Coffey and Dave Pitts. BACK ROW: George and Nancy Sparks,
Cindy Jones, Geno Magallanes, Mary Williams, Tony Royko and Alice Compton.
Flemington, NJ 2007 Heartwalk Participants
FRONT ROW (L-R): Heartman! Linnie McGlone, Angela Pinella, Monica Botelho, Marie Nansen and her dog, Jessie.
SECOND ROW: Tom McGlone, Audrey Maruca, Debbie Swiatek, Liz Swiatek, Russ Swiatek
THIRD ROW: Debbie Komoroski, Jonathan Gilman, Warren Maruca, Ed Komoroski
Bemis Scholarship Program
In 2007, a total of $615,224 was expended in 201 scholarships to provide financial aid to the sons and daughters of employees of the company and its subsidiaries.
The Bemis Scholarship Program is open to sons and daughters under age 25 who wish to attend community colleges, four-year colleges or universities or vocational schools.
Selections of scholarship recipients are made by Scholarship Management Services, a department of Scholarship America, formerly Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America, Inc. (CSFA), which administers the program. Their criteria for selection is based upon academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, a statement of goals and aspirations, personal or family circumstances and a recommendation.
In 2008, a total of 50 students received first year scholarships and an additional 137 students received renewals. The 50 new winners chosen to begin the 2008-2009 school year are listed as follows.
2008 Bemis Scholarship Winners
United Way Program
Communities are faced with tough issues that can’t be solved overnight. United Way is working hard to help people have the education, jobs, shelter and health they need to succeed.
In 2007, $408,337 was distributed to the United Way in communities where the company has facilities. This does not include employee donations, which nearly double the total Bemis contributions. Pictured are the check presentations at various Bemis locations:
Lisa Grubbs, Flemington Campaign Coordinator (Left) is presenting the 2007 United Way donation to Bonnie Duncan (right), Executive Director, at the United Way of Hunterdon County.
Pam Hensen, Coordinator, HR is presenting a check to Cynthia L. Berton, Campaign Director, for the United Way Fox Cities.
Bemis was the 5th largest contributor to the Greater Hazleton United Way Campaign. Shown in the picture are the Bemis solicitors for the campaign: Seated-left to right-Patti Krutz-Shipping Forklift Driver, Cathy Eury-HR Coordinator/Office Manager, Stacy Crouse-Journeyman Bag Machine Operator, Kelly Sopko-HR Coordinator and Bemis Campaign Leader. Standing are Mike Stola-Extrusion Department Supervisor, Mike Starrick-Extrusion Forklift Driver, Bob Caccese, Plant Manager, Jennifer Moisey-Hoover and Bob Moisey-Co Chairs (and father and daughter) for Hazleton United Way. Missing from the photo is Dominic DeSpirito-Journeyman Press Operator and Lorraine Brill-Shipping Forklift Operator.
Pete Mathias, MACtac-Stow President N.A., is presenting for the United Way of Summit County to Ing Kiland, Resource Development Director.
Larry Bettis, Appanoose County United Way Chairperson, accepts a $12,000 check from Curwood-Centerville employees G. E. Luse, Mary Davis, and Mark Stogdill. $12,000 is the Bemis match of employee contributions.
Pictured is Linda Havens from United Way accepting the United Way donation given by Janeen Jackson, HR Manager at Curwood-Fremont.
Present for the United Way check presentation at Terre Haute were: Jennifer Featherstone-Administrative Assistant, Jim Russler-PPD President, Jim Bertoli- Executive Director of the United Way of the Wabash Valley, Brian Wells-Plant Manager, Kevin Barrett-Extrusion Operator, Jen Lewellyn- HR Employment Coordinator, Ray Littlejohn-Maintenance Mechanic, John Gambill-Converting Operator and Pat Waters-HR Supervisor.
Bray Brunkhurst, Plant Manager at Milprint-Lebanon, is presenting a check to a representative of the United Way of Lebanon County.