Valero was again recognized for its vital community commitment by The Civic 50, a list of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States. The list is compiled by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.
Since it was launched in 2012, the program has served as benchmarking tool and platform for sharing best practices in the corporate citizenship sector. The survey is based on Points of Light’s Corporate Civic Engagement Framework that creates a roadmap for companies committed to using their time, talent and resources to drive social impact in their business and communities.
“We are proud to be a part of this honor, and to be a vibrant part of this community,” Jerry Stumbo, vice president and general manager of the Valero St. Charles Refinery, said. “We will continue our legacy of support through volunteerism, charitable giving and the economic support of being a good employer.”
The Civic 50 honorees are selected based on the four dimensions of their community engagement and social impact programs: investment of resources, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems and impact measurement.
Valero was again named the top energy-sector company on the list.
The recognition follows a year in which Valero’s employees and charitable organizations generated more than $64 million for worthy charities through direct and in-kind donations, fundraising and volunteerism. Notably, support continued in response to COVID-19 with more than $3 million for front-line organizations across the globe.
“We are fortunate to have great industry partners in our parish such as Valero and appreciate their generosity during this uncertain time,” St. Charles Parish President Matthew Jewell said.
In 2019, Valero St. Charles Refinery employees pledged approximately $785,000 for the United Way, with other fundraising and a company match totaling approximately $1.2 million in contributions.
Local children’s charities received a total of $800,000 from employees of the Valero St. Charles Refinery, and St. Charles employees logged more than 6,000 volunteer hours for community projects.
Valero Energy Corporation and the Valero Energy Foundation committed $300,000 to support New Orleans organizations on the front lines of COVID-19 pandemic response. Of that, $225,000 directly impacted St. Charles Parish.
Taryn Rogers, Valero public affairs manager, said the support was part of an overall $1.8 million commitment.
Several organizations that serve St. Charles Parish received funding, including Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, the St. Charles Parish School System, Matthew 25:35 Ministries’ Food Pantry, Catholic Charities and the St. Charles Council on Aging.
St. Charles Parish Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ken Oertling said the school system has had a long-standing relationship with Valero – St. Charles Operations.
“Valero has been a constant supporter of our school system and community at large,” Oertling said. “Valero recognizes the value of a strong public school system and how it contributes to the quality of life in our community.”
In addition to monetary donations, Rogers said Valero is proud to have supported Ochsner Health through the purchase of meals for employees and to have provided gas cards to charitable organizations for access to essential fuels and products for their operations.
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