Businesses With A Heart

"One example of good responsibility is the advertising agency of J. Walter Thompson. The employees of this agency attended Christmas parties at such locations as New York's Palladium night club. For most top level executives attending a Christmas party of this nature is better than getting a raise. But, this year the employees of the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency worked in soup kitchens, renovated low-income housing, and wrapped Christmas presents for hospital patients instead. This is a prime example of common people coming together, in a responsible manner, to do something good to benefit others. Another example of good responsibility in the corporate world is the "Body Shop." The "Body Shop", a British-based cosmetics firm, has built its reputation by refraining from animal testing and avoiding hyped beauty claims. Sales during the past decade have grown an average of 50 percent a year. This example shows the responsibility of the corporation for their actions in making and distributing the product. As well as the responsibility of the consumer for recognizing and buying the product.

A third example of good responsibility is the corporation of "Ben & Jerry's Ice-cream". The executive leaders of the company got together and decided to do something good to benefit their community. they decided to place cartoons on the sides of their ice-cream cartons. What's so responsible about cartoons painted on ice-cream cartons, you might ask? They weren't just any cartoons; they were cartoons encouraging consumers to contact activist organizations and take an active part in government. This shows another great example of a corporation showing the responsibility to inform their consumers.

A fourth example of good responsibility is shown to us by the Xerox corporation. Xerox is highly regarded for its responsibility to the company and to the community. A company as large as Xerox doesn't become a powerhouse in its field by being irresponsible. What could Xerox do for the community, you might ask? Besides their countless billions of dollars being regenerated into the community and their endless leadership, they also provide another important aspect. Xerox allows employees with three years of service to take a leave with full pay to do community work."

Marvin Scott Verbeck, Deer River High School, Deer River, Minnesota

"The famous ice-cream maker, Ben and Jerry's Homemade, has introduced a new flavor called Rain Forest Crunch made with brazil and cashew nuts taken from the rain forests. These products were purchased from "unspoiled regions in an effort to keep them that way."

Kristi Meyer, Seaman High School, Topeka, Kansas

"In order to give back something to society, Xerox, since 1971 has sponsored a program that has granted almost 400 employees up to one year of paid leave to volunteer for a nonprofit agency."

Matthew Grandon, Valley Springs High School, Valley Springs, Arkansas

"Little Tikes has also contributed to the improvement of childcare by designing and building stimulating childcare centers on-site of their company. Little Tikes discovered that the care center was not only needed, but was also good for business."

Kirsten Sinkola, Deer River High School, Deer River, Minnesota

"When cleaning up the Exxon oil spill in Alaska, Proctor and Gamble donated Dawn dishwashing liquid to clean oil off of animals. That was a terrific example of someone who really had nothing to do with the incident, but helped shoulder the responsibility."

Jeremy Lattimore, Deer River High, Deer River, Minnesota

"I heard From a relative that a local pub put on a supper, and that all of the proceeds from the food sales went to one of the part-time workers who had been unable to work for over a month due to back problems."

Kerri Knutson, Centerville High School, Centerville, South Dakota

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