Cause Marketing/ Community Programs

The Walmart Foundation’s Colorado State Giving Program has awarded $321,000 to eight Colorado nonprofits that are helping to fund local programs to improve education, women’s economic empowerment, healthy eating and fighting hunger.

The organizations include We Don’t Waste, Lapuente Home, Care and Share, Kids Aid, Project Angel Heart, Women’s Resource Agency, Broadway Assistance Center and Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado.

Meijer customers donated more than $510,000 during the company’s holiday Simply Give campaign, helping food pantries throughout the Midwest restock their shelves.

Combined with a donation from Meijer, the holiday campaign raised more than $1.2 million, making it the most successful campaign since Simply Give began in November 2008.

Chevy Chase, Md. — Simon Property Group has promoted Sean Mayo, former director of strategic partnerships for Simon Business Ventures, to regional director of marketing, east region of The Mills portfolio.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears Holdings Corporation anticipates hiring 6,500 veterans and military spouses in 2014. The hiring goal builds on the more than 6,000 veterans and spouses hired in 2013, and nearly doubles the 3,500 hired in 2012.

The company currently employs more than 30,000 veteran associates, many of whom are still serving in the National Guard and the Reserve forces.

Plano, Texas – J.C. Penney Co. released its 2013 Sustainability Report, outlining sustainability initiatives pursued during fiscal year 2012 ended Feb. 2013. Highlights of the report included:

• Stores and Operations: Through the company’s energy conservation efforts, J.C. Penney has received Energy Star certification in more than 500 locations and earned the Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award for five consecutive years.

Bud Light, the official beer sponsor of the NFL, is teaming up with NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith to launch "Stay in the Game/Drink Responsibly" — an integrated campaign that will provide adults with a reliable way to travel during the weekend of the big game.

"At Bud Light, we take pride in being a leader in encouraging consumers to drink responsibly," said Rob McCarthy, VP, Bud Light. "'Stay in the Game' is designed to connect with and inspire fans to make smart decisions on Super Bowl Sunday."

Toms founder and CEO Blake Mycoskie is the latest recruit to join the B Team, a nonprofit initiative, co-founded by Sir Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz. Mycoskie is the youngest member of team.

The B Team was created to encourage businesses to be a driving force for social, environmental and economic benefit.

Iselin, N.J. -- McDonald's New York Tri-State Area Restaurants, a franchisor group, has launched a new social media campaign to connect fans across the globe with athletes who will be competing in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Customers can send personalized messages and good luck wishes to their favorite athletes or teams by using the hashtag #CheersToSochi or by visiting www.cheerstosochi.com.

The Year of the Horse arrives January 31, 2014, the first day of the Chinese New Year, which will run through February 18, 2015.

Beverly Center in Los Angeles plans to celebrate the Chinese New Year and promote the Year of the Horse from day one through the month of February.

The Chinese Zodiac follows cycles of 12 years, with each year named for an animal. This year is the Year of the Horse. It is said that people born in the Year of the Horse may be hardworking, independent, intelligent and fall in love easily.

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS/pharmacy has kicked off its annual Project Health wellness campaign. Project Health will deliver more than $15 million worth of free health services to multicultural communities across the U.S. in 2014.