DALLAS, April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- United Way Worldwide gave kudos today to four global corporate leaders who exemplify innovation in engaging employees and consumers, and leveraging corporate social responsibility, to help improve communities across the world.

https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20150430/213091

United Way recognized UPS, John Deere, Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Wells Fargo at its Community Leaders Conference in Dallas, before 1,300 people.

"Innovation fuels progress, and these companies are innovators in more than their lines of business," said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide. "Whether they're involving employees and consumers, or targeting CSR efforts, they're accelerating community change. People across the world are benefiting from the passion these companies exhibit daily. We're fortunate to be their partners."

Some 85 companies were invited to apply for the recognition. Nearly 21,000 people cast votes online.

UPS and John Deere were recognized for employee engagement, for their strategies for encouraging employees to volunteer, promote or donate to United Way-led community solutions.


    --  UPS (NYSE: UPS) was recognized for its employee engagement among
        companies with more than 50,000 U.S. employees. UPS encourages community
        service on the part of its employees, who log nearly 2 million service
        hours annually.  Employees have pledged to give 20 million hours of
        volunteer service by 2020. The company's partnership with United Way
        goes back 33 years, and was the first to collectively generate more than
        $1.3 billion to help United Way improve education, financial stability
        and health.  Last year, employees pledged a record of $63.7 million.
    --  John Deere (NYSE: DE) was recognized for its employee engagement among
        companies with less than 50,000 U.S. employees. Some 2,500 John Deere
        employees spent a day volunteering as part of United Way's Day of Caring
        last year. The company also introduced a "dollar for doers" program
        recently, which lets employees earn a $1,000 grant for an approved
        charity at which they've volunteered 40 or more hours in a year. All
        told, John Deere employees and their Foundation gave $7 million to
        support United Way community change work last year.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Wells Fargo were recognized for consumer engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility engagement.


    --  Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) was recognized for its consumer engagement in
        leveraging cause marketing efforts with two of their brands to engage
        consumers and raise awareness about critical issues. The U by Kotex®
        brand sponsored a week-long United Way Alternative Spring Break for 25
        young college students, supported by a $150,000 contribution through its
        awareness displays at Walmart. And as part of Underwareness, a
        three-year effort by the Depend® brand to remove the stigma of bladder
        leakage, Kimberly-Clark is donating up to $1.5 million to United Way's
        efforts to promote lifelong active independent living for senior
        citizens.
    --  Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) was recognized for corporate social
        responsibility engagement, or the way its goals intersect with United
        Way's and how its support impacts United Way projects and practices. 
        Wells Fargo invested $5 million to create a Financial Capability Network
        with United Way, providing financial education, 1-on-1 coaching and more
        to nearly 9,000 people and helping some 20,000 people strengthen their
        financial stability. Wells Fargo employees are deeply engaged in United
        Way's work, with more than 2,500 team members donating 18,000+ volunteer
        hours and pledging $70.5 million to United Way last year.

For more information, contact:
 Anne Marie Borrego, Director of Media and Public Relations
United Way Worldwide
annemarie.borrego@uww.unitedway.org
703.836.7112, ext. 321

About United Way Worldwide
 With 2.6 million volunteers and 9.6 million donors worldwide, and more than $5 billion raised every year, United Way is the world's largest privately-funded nonprofit. We're engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create community solutions that improve life for everyone. United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and faith organizations, along with educators, labor leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more. For more information about United Way, please visit www.UnitedWay.org. Follow us on social media: @UnitedWay and #uwclc.

http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20120503/DC00215LOGO-b

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150430/213091

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120503/DC00215LOGO-b

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-way-recognizes-corporate-leaders-300075530.html

SOURCE United Way Worldwide