U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center Names Finalists, Initiates Public Vote for Winner
Hilton Worldwide and nonprofit partner, the Global Soap Project, are finalists for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center?s Best Partnership Award, a category in the Center?s prestigious annual Corporate Citizenship Awards program. The Best Partnership category focuses on excellence in public-private partnerships and honors companies and charitable organizations working together to address important social issues.
The Partnership Award winner is selected through an online public voting campaign on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center website. Voting begins today and will continue until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 28th. The winners of the 2012 Citizens Awards will be announced on December 6 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Hilton Worldwide and the Global Soap Project are being recognized for a collaboration created in 2011 to reduce waste and address disease prevention by repurposing and redistributing hotel soap. Hand-washing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diarrheal disease and pneumonia, which are responsible for more than 3.5 million child deaths annually. As part of the partnership, Hilton Worldwide is providing channels for its more than 3,900 global properties to donate partially-used soap, while also investing $1.3 million over the next three years and providing its operational expertise and understanding of global supply chains to help expand the Global Soap Project’s processing and distribution capabilities. As a member of the Global Soap Project’s Board of Directors, Hilton Worldwide also actively participates in the development of the nonprofit’s organizational strategy and growth.
“Successful partnerships marry each organization’s core competencies and drive toward a united vision,” said Jennifer Silberman, vice president, corporate responsibility, Hilton Worldwide. “Our relationship with the Global Soap Project is a great example and we are honored to be recognized as a finalist by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.”
Strategic partnerships are part of Hilton Worldwide’s efforts to Travel with Purpose, the company’s global commitment to provide shared value to its business and communities around the world. Together with its global partners, Hilton Worldwide focuses on: creating opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential; strengthening communities where it operates; celebrating cultures and the power of travel; and living sustainably through the measurement, analysis and improvement of its use of natural resources.
Since its inception in 2009, the Global Soap Project has distributed more than 300 tons of soap to vulnerable communities in 23 countries on four continents. Together, Hilton Worldwide and the Global Soap Project expect to improve the lives of thousands of people in need.