Cat to receive Freedom Award; changes afoot at Goodwill
- Details
- Published on Monday, 23 July 2012 16:29
- Written by Paul Gordon
Caterpillar Inc. has always prided itself on supporting its employees who are members of the Guard and Reserve. The company recently was awarded for that support.
Caterpillar was one of only 15 companies nationwide to be given the 2012 Support Freedom Award, the nation's highest honor presented by the U.S. Department of Defense. The formal presentation will be in September. The Department of Defense said there were 3,236 nominations for the award, submitted by Guardsmen and Reservists, or family members acting on their behalf.
Freedom Award recipients go above and beyond what the law requires of Guard and Reserve employers. Caterpillar was nominated by a member of the Marine Corps Reserve.
"The Reservist reported Caterpillar Inc. employs more than 100 Guard and Reserve members and recruits military personnel through programs such as the Illinois Warriors career fair. When the nominator was called to serve, the company organized a send-off event to show their support. The company also established Caterpillar's Armed Forces Support Network to support employees and families when called to duty. The network has approximately 350 members and does everything from assisting with recruiting and career development of veterans, to helping family members with routine home care while a service member is deployed," the Department of Defense said in announcing Caterpillar's selection.
Since its inception in 1996 by Employer Support of Guard and Reserve, a division of the Department of Defense, only 160 companies have received the Freedom Award.
The other 2012 recipients, as chosen by a board of senior Defense Department officials, business leaders and prior recipients, included other biggies such as Citi, Delta Airlines, Siemens Corp., the Tennessee Valley Authority and Verizon. But it also included many smaller and lesser knowns companies, including an electric utility, a church and a municipal public safety department. For a list of winners and more information about the Freedom Award visit www.FreedomAward.mil.
You may recall that less than two weeks ago Caterpillar showed it supports returning military veterans, as well, being one of the chief sponsors of a Hiring Heroes job fair at the Peoria Civic Center and and announcing it will invest $100,000 in the Hiring our Heroes program, a nationwide, grass-roots effort started by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to help veterans and their spouses find meaningful employment.
Kudos should be given to Caterpillar. I mean, if our men and women in the armed forces must be put in harm's way this kind of support has to be a huge help.
Goodwill no longer accepts televisions
Don't count on finding a used television at Goodwill any more, or being able to unload one of your own at the organization's drop-off donation centers.
Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois announced last week that as of Aug. 1 it will no longer be able to accept televisions as donations or for recycling. Recent changes in state law make it unfeasible, the agency said.
"As a non-profit organization, Goodwill must be vigilant about the revenue used to fund our mission," said Patty Fuchs, Goodwill President & CEO. "By making these kinds of decisions, we are ensuring that our mission to support individuals and families who are working to better their lives will continue."
Not wanting to leave everybody in a lurch, Goodwill's news release listed area organizations that will accept televisions for recycling. They include:
- Dr. Know Systems, 8214 N. University, Peoria, (309) 689-8355
- Illinois E-Waste Recycle, 1411 N.E. Adams, Peoria, (309) 636-8826
- M&M Recycling, 204 Morton St., Peoria, (309) 495-0995
- ATR, 8202 N. University, Peoria, (309) 691-7230
- Waste Management, 3550 E. Washington St., East Peoria, (309) 694-0295
- Going Green Computers, 1600 Market St., Pekin, (309) 241-2229
- Canton Health Department, 700 E. Oak St., Canton, (309) 647-1134 (Thursdays only)
For more information visit www.goodwillpeo.org or call the administrative offices at (309) 682-1113.
Goodwill administrative offices, classrooms to temporarily move
Speaking of the Goodwill's administrative offices, they and learning center classroom are moving this week to temporary quarters in Peoria and they'll be there for possibly as long as a year.
Beginning Aug. 1, Goodwill will be located in the Klaus Radio building at 8400 N. Allen Road. All administrative functions, computer classes and forklift training will take place there.
The last day of classes at the administration building on War Memorial Drive will be Thursday, July 26. The first day of classes at the new address will be Monday, Aug. 6. Goodwill will provide shuttle service from the Allen Road Super Wal-Mart for bus riders. More detailed information regarding the shuttle service can be found on the Goodwill website.
Fuchs said the temporary move "is the beginning of a new era for Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois. The repurposing of the War Memorial facility will allow us to expand our educational opportunities for the people of central Illinois."
Paul Gordon is editor of The Peorian. He can be reached at 692-7880 or editor@thepeorian.com
