WEDNESDAY, MAY 16: Bacardi is giving its nearly 6,000 employees across the globe an opportunity to take time off work to volunteer or support a cause through locally organized team activities.
A spokesman said the programme reinforces the company's purpose and values and demonstrates Bacardi’s commitment to the environment and sustainable business practices, to communities where they make and sell their products, and to consumers who enjoy them.
Ed Shirley, president and CEO of Bacardi Limited, said: "Bacardi recognizes the importance of local communities and plays an active role in giving back by supporting our employees to make a difference to an organization in a team experience. Our actions in corporate social responsibility are guided by our core values of trust, passion, caring and excellence.
“By caring about the world around us, we create trust with our consumers. We aim to strengthen these bonds by acting responsibly in everything we do.”
Through its "Spirit for Life, Caring Together" programme, Bacardi celebrates its year-round corporate responsibility activities and declares the month of May for employees to work together on community projects around the world including home building and meal distribution for needy families; fundraisers for educational, arts and cultural programmes; clothing and blood drives; young adult mentorship programs; park and community center cleanups; recycling programs; and bat conservation efforts, among others.
Facundo L. Bacardi, Chairman of Bacardi Limited and a fifth generation Bacardi family member, said: "Long before my great-great-grandfather founded the Bacardi company, he was a leader in giving back to his community. In 1852, he volunteered to be the organizer for relief aid after an earthquake devastated his hometown of Santiago de Cuba.
"Both the Bacardi family and Company continue to carry on this commitment of responsibility and community service."