Cause Marketing/ Community Programs

NEW YORK — Chobani Greek Yogurt is the recipient of the 2012 North America Innovation in Leadership award for its groundbreaking contribution to the U.S. yogurt sector, presented by Rabobank.

Grace Simmons, VP of strategic initiatives for Chobani, accepted the award at the global bank’s recent Commodity, Corporate, and Trade Finance Forum.

The March of Dimes trustees elected Deidra Merriwether and Will Smith as the charitable group’s newest board members.

Merriwether serves as SVP and COO of Kmart and Sears format at Sears Holdings and Smith is SVP of marketing for Brown Shoe Company. Merriwether and Smith join a group of more than 30 trustees as the organization prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. March of Dimes trustees, who serve as volunteers, represent the public in governing the organization and advancing its mission. They serve five-year terms.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As part of its 12 Days of Giving Facebook campaign, Walmart will distribute more than $1.5 million to 140 grant recipients in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., throughout the next 12 days.

The winning nonprofits were selected from more than 21,677 nominations submitted in November by Facebook users who felt compelled to enter and describe the community impact made by their favorite nonprofit organizations.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. and ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Company is joining forces with HSN, a multichannel retailer, which will allow both parties to tap into each other’s customer base and expand their online reach.

WASHINGTON — Goodwill returns to the Pepco Edison Place Gallery with its Goodwill of Greater Washington pop-up retail shop. Pepco donated space so the stores can temporarily open its doors for the holiday with the theme Peace & Goodwill.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Retired Publix president and director emeritus Mark C. Hollis has passed away at that age of 78.

STOCKHOLM — H&M will become the first fashion company to roll out garment collecting in select stores worldwide as part of their sustainability initiative.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Employees at the Grand Rapids-based retailer Meijer raised $3 million for the 2012 United Way Workforce Campaign for the second year in a row. The workforce campaign aims to improve the lives of those in need by meeting critical needs of the community.