VOTE FOR YOUR STATE AND NONPROFIT CAUSES THAT INSPIRE YOU IN THE TOM’S OF MAINE "50 STATES FOR GOOD"TM PROGRAM

Kennebunk, Maine – September 16, 2013

Top 15 Nonprofits to Share $150,000 for Projects That Help Neighbors and the Environment

Program Judge Ian Somerhalder to Chat About His Passion for Good at Sept. 17 Twitter Party

KENNEBUNK, Maine, September 16, 2013 — Want to make a positive impact in your community? Starting today, a simple vote could bring funding to small nonprofits with big ideas. This year 51 nonprofits – one in every state and Washington D.C. - are asking for your votes in the fifth annual Tom’s of Maine “50 States for Good” community giving program . The 15 nonprofits with the most votes will each receive $10,000 to develop and grow important community projects and services. The public can show support and vote daily at www.tomsofmaine.com/good-matters through October 15.

For the first time, volunteers and nonprofit employees will also be showcased as part of an interactive voting platform that includes information about why the public’s support will make a difference. This national community giving program allows the public to direct where all of the funding goes.

“A desire to do more for a favorite nonprofit can often be hindered by a lack of time to volunteer or financial means to make a donation,” said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom’s of Maine. “50 States for Good makes it easy for anyone to have an impact and directly help organizations that are bringing goodness to communities in a variety of creative and inspiring ways.”

From a pool of nearly 1,000 nominations, finalists were chosen by a judging panel of passionate leaders in the nonprofit community including Sam Davidson, president of Cool People Care, nonprofit strategist and Huffington Post columnist Lisa M. Dietlin, Matt Petronzio, assistant features editor covering social good for Mashable.com, and star of “The Vampire Diaries” and nonprofit founder Ian Somerhalder.

“At the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, we are inspired every day by how much we can accomplish if we work together,” said program judge Ian Somerhalder. “I encourage everyone to check out the great work each ‘50 States for Good’ finalist is doing and cast your votes for the ones that share your values and goals.”

Somerhalder, a strong advocate for social good, will join Tom’s of Maine on September 17, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. EST for a Twitter party. He will take live questions and share his thoughts on giving back to the community. Participants should use the hashtag #50StatesforGood to follow along, ask questions and join the conversation.

Listed alphabetically by state, this year’s “50 States for Good” finalists are:

Alabama

First Light, Inc.

Birmingham, AL

Alaska

Sitka Local Foods Network

Sitka, AK

Arizona

Watershed Management Group

Tucson, AZ

Arkansas

Good Samaritan Clinic

Fort Smith, AR

California

Cool the Earth

Kentfield, CA

Colorado

EarthLinks

Denver, CO

Connecticut

Connecticut Radio Information System

Windsor, CT

Delaware

Homeless Planning Council of Delaware

Wilmington, DE

District of Columbia

Foster and Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC)

Washington, DC

Florida

Current of Tampa Bay Inc.

Tampa, FL

Georgia

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Inc.

Atlanta, GA

Hawaii

Kids Hurt Too Hawaii

Honolulu, HI

Idaho

Helping Hearts & Hands

Gooding, ID

Illinois

Southside Education & Economic Development Systems, Inc.

Chicago, IL

Indiana

Washington County SOAR

Salem, IN

Iowa

Gilda's Club Quad Cities

Davenport, IA

Kansas

HIS Helping Hands, Inc.

Wichita, KS

Kentucky

Grow Appalachia

Berea, KY

Louisiana

The People's Advocate

Lake Charles, LA

Maine

Michael T. Goulet Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy Foundation

Saco, ME

Maryland

Neighbor Ride

Columbia, MD

Massachusetts

Cape Ann Farmer's Market

Gloucester, MA

Michigan

Play-Place for Autistic Children

Sterling Heights, MI

Minnesota

Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health

St. Paul, MN

Mississippi

HealthTrust

Magee, MS

Missouri

Operation BBQ Relief, Inc

Pleasant Hill, MO

Montana

The Poverello Center, Inc.

Missoula, MT

Nebraska

Literacy Center for the Midlands

Omaha, NE

Nevada

Street Teens

Las Vegas, NV

New Hampshire

LostNMissing Inc

Londonderry, NH

New Jersey

One Simple Wish

Trenton, NJ

New Mexico

Walkin N Circles Ranch

Edgewood, NM

New York

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park

Gansevoort, NY

North Carolina

The Volunteer Center of Greensboro

Greensboro, NC

North Dakota

Kenmare Wheels & Meals, Inc.

Kenmare, ND

Ohio

Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership

Warren, OH

Oklahoma

Pride In McAlester

McAlester, OK

Oregon

Community Warehouse

Portland, OR

Pennsylvania

RiverQuest

Pittsburgh, PA

Rhode Island

Khadarlis Global

Providence, RI

South Carolina

Columbia Oral Health Clinic

Columbia, SC

South Dakota

Lower Brule Community College

Lower Brule, SD

Tennessee

Chattanooga's Kids on the Block

Chattanooga, TN

Texas

Mission Possible Kids

Plano, TX

Utah

The Utah Society for Environmental Education

Salt Lake City, UT

Vermont

Essex CHIPS

Essex Junction, VT

Virginia

Blue Ridge Land Conservancy

Roanoke, VA

Washington

Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland

Mount Vernon, WA

West Virginia

Mountaineer Food Bank

Gassaway, WV

Wisconsin

Kompost Kids

Milwaukee, WI

Wyoming

Wyoming Food for Thought Project

Casper, WY


To date, the 50 States for Good community giving program has benefited 5.5 million people and dozens of communities through projects as diverse as tree planting, sustainable hiking trails, a community orchard and meals for neighbors in need.

For several decades, Tom’s of Maine has donated 10% of its profits back to the community and encourages employees to use 5% (12 days) of paid time off to volunteer every year. For more information visit tomsofmaine.com.

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 and bar soap products. 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. TOMs 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 www.tomsofmaine.com or at www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.

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Contacts:
Susan Dewhirst
(207) 467-2406
sdewhirst@tomsofmaine.com

Dain Percifield
(415) 365-8548
Dain.percifield@cohnwolfe.com

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.