Tom's of Maine Rewards Nonprofits Helping People and the Planet with More than $1 Million in Funding

Kennebunk, Maine – December 03, 2015

Americans Voiced #OneWaytoHelp in their Communities, 52 Organizations to Benefit

KENNEBUNK, Maine, December 3, 2015 — Tom's of Maine thanked the thousands of engaged Americans who jumped into action on their social media pages and shared #OneWaytoHelp in their communities. The natural personal care leader has given 10% of profits back since 1970 and today is awarding consumers' favorite nonprofits with more than $1 million in funding, as part of its 2015 50 States for Good community giving program.

Each nonprofit will receive $20,000 to advance important community projects such as helping families find affordable housing, providing assistance to those affected by autism and developing sustainable gardens in urban areas.

"This year's nonprofit recipients bring to life an inspiring picture of the care that Americans have for each other and their communities," said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "People often think giving back to their community is time intensive, and we wanted to show there are easy ways to make a difference, like raising awareness for a cause you love and supporting brands that strive to make the world a better place for future generations."

Since 2009, the Tom's of Maine 50 States for Good community giving program has given more than $2.1 million to hundreds of nonprofits across the nation. This year's 50 States for Good recipients are:

 

•Sitka Local Foods Network Sitka, Alaska
•KultureCity Vestavia Hills, Alabama
•Lucie's Place Little Rock, Arkansas
•Shoebox Ministry Scottsdale, Arizona
•Little Red Bird Animal Sanctuary Corona, California
•Sarah's Home Peyton, Colorado
•Random Hacks of Kindness, Jr. Woodbury, Connecticut
•DC Youth Orchestra Program Washington, D.C.
•VSA Delaware, Arts Center/Gallery Dover, Delaware
•Outreach Autism Services Network Ocala, Florida
•Global Village Project Decatur, Georgia
•North Kohala Community Resource Center Hawi, Hawaii
•C&W Rustic Hollow Shelter Nashua, Iowa
•Environmental Resource Center Ketchum, Idaho
•Christian Activity Center East St. Louis, Illinois
•Hancock County Children's Choir New Palestine, Indiana
•Louisburg Middle School Students Against Destructive Decisions Louisburg, Kansas
•Logan County Humane Society Russellville, Kentucky
•Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, Louisiana
•Lorraine's Soup Kitchen & Pantry Chicopee, Massachusetts
•Chesapeake Center for the Creative Arts Brooklyn Park, Maryland
•End 68 Hours of Hunger York Harbor, Maine
•Sweet Dreamzzz Inc. Farmington, Michigan
•Misfit Acres Inc. Amboy, Minnesota
•The Free Clinic of Meridian Meridian, Mississippi
•Food Outreach St. Louis, Missouri
•Flathead Food Bank Kalispell, Montana
•Union College Foot Clinic Lincoln, Nebraska
•Consensus Council, Inc. Bismarck, North Dakota
•NAMI New Hampshire Concord, New Hampshire
•Albuquerque, New Mexico Community Culinary School of Charlotte
•Community Culinary School of Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina
•Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey Trenton, New Jersey
•Carson Valley Arts Council Minden, Nevada
•City Growers Long Island City, New York
•Make It Fit Westerville, Ohio
•Western Oklahoma Family Care Center Elk City, Oklahoma
•Cascades Raptor Center Eugene, Oregon
•Mighty Writers Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
•Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership Warwick, Rhode Island
•Begin with Books/Palmetto Project Charleston, South Carolina
•Sioux YMCA Dupree, South Dakota
•Camp Wesley Woods Townsend, Tennessee
•Borderzine El Paso, Texas
•Wasatch Community Gardens Salt Lake City, Utah
•City Schoolyard Garden Program Charlottesville, Virginia
•Intervale Center Burlington, Vermont
•Free2Luv Seattle, Washington
•Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors Jefferson, Wisconsin
•Gorilla Youth Inc. Nutter Fort, West Virginia
•Jackson Hole Children's Museum Jackson, Wyoming


One lucky winner – Play-Place for Autistic Children in Sterling Heights, Michigan – was selected through a "$20,000 toothpaste tube" promotion that asked consumers to submit a valid Tom's of Maine UPC code for a chance to win funding for their favorite nonprofit.

To learn more about this year’s winners, visit https://www.tomsofmaine.com/good-matters.

About Tom's of Maine

Tom's of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal care carrying high quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, bar soap and body wash. The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting people, communities and the living planet. For over 42 years, TOMs has sponsored hundreds of nonprofit efforts by giving 10% of its profits back to organizations that support human and environmental goodness and by encouraging employees to use 5% (12 days) of employee time to volunteer. Tom’s of Maine employees regularly contribute suggestions for improving the company's high sustainability standards. And their ideas, from wind power to ways to improve recycled and recyclable packaging options, are critical to the company's sensitive way of doing business. Most Tom's of Maine products are vegan, kosher, halal-certified and gluten-free. All packaging is recyclable through a partnership with upcycling leader TerraCycle or participating municipalities. Tom's of Maine enjoys partnering with its consumers, suppliers and community organizations to support lasting, positive change that is good for people and the planet. Visit us online at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/ or at https://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.

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If you need any additional information about Tom's of Maine, please contact Susan Dewhirst, Media and Public Relations Leader. The best way to reach Susan is by email at sdewhirst@tomsofmaine.com. She can also be reached by phone at 207-467-2406.

For all other questions comments, please contact our Consumer Dialogue Department by email or at 800-367-8667.