Rigesa participes in Volunteer´s week of US Embassy in São Paulo, Brazil - Oct 9, 2007 - 12:36:00 PM

São Paulo, October 3, 2007 ¿ On October 3, 2007, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, Clifford Sobel, has opened U.S. Embassy Volunteer Week in association with American companies from the American Chamber of Commerce of Brazil (AmCham) and the group +Unidos. At the event, Ambassador Sobel and his wife Barbara planted trees typical of the Brazilian Atlantic Mata in the Jabaquara section of São Paulo. Presidents of American companies joined in planting trees at the event, which also marked the creation of +Unidos as part of the Embassy¿s corporate social responsibility (CSR) promotion efforts. Today¿s tree planting is just part of a greater effort that aims to plant more than 5,000 trees representing 80 native species in 3.000 hectares in the State of São Paulo. Desirée Colucci Martini, Rigesa Corporate Communication Manager, represented the company in the event and in the group + Unidos.
Volunteer Week is part of a social action initiative of the US Mission to Brazil. More than 100,000 volunteers are expected to participate in this week¿s activities. Launched in November of 2006 by Ambassador Sobel, the initiative promotes corporate social responsibility by diverse segments of Brazilian society.
The CSR Initiative fosters positive social action by publicizing success stories and by continually investing in and encouraging new projects throughout Brazil. For example, the CSR Initiative has promoted the Brazilian-US Partnership for Professionalizing Education and the Strategic Program for Public School Youth, among others. In 2006, the 50 great American companies that have participated in the Initiative since its inception have invested more than US$250 million in 700 projects in Brazil. Of this investment, 85% have focused on three main areas: education, health and environment.
¿The United States has a strong tradition of volunteer work. Voluntary initiatives can make the difference. They can come in the construction of a school, a civic club, churches, or public service associations, as well as in actions that preserve the environment,¿ said Ambassador Sobel, who arrived at Brazil a little more than one year ago.