Media Contact: Kristin Robinson robinson@teamrubiconusa.org (913) 568-8043 VOTE FOR TEAM RUBICON TO HELP IN CHICAGO RIVER CLEAN UP Team Rubicon represents Illinois as a finalist in fourth annual Tom’s of Maine “50 States for Good” program.
CHICAGO, September 10, 2012 – Team Rubicon (TR), a veteran service organization that repurposes the ready-made organizational and operational skills of military veterans for disaster relief has been selected as the only finalist from Illinois in the Tom’s of Maine “50 States for Good” program. Team Rubicon has a chance to win up to $50,000 in support of a community project that will help clean up the Chicago River. Through a public vote at www.Facebook.com/TomsofMaine now through October 9, Chicagoans can help bring the funding home with the simple click of a mouse. The “50 States for Good” program seeks to uncover local nonprofit groups that address urgent community needs and engage volunteers to get the work done. Team Rubicon’s project entails a service project that will engage veteran volunteers to clean up major deposits of debris in & along the Chicago River. The Tom's of Maine funding will specifically enable TR to field the portable infrastructure and equipment necessary to deploy TR veteran volunteers to the Chicago River, as well as conduct follow up vegetation improvement projects along the river bank. Team Rubicon’s co-founder, William McNulty, is a native of Chicago. “With this funding from Tom's of Maine, the military veterans of Team Rubicon can help Mayor Rahm Emanuel realize his vision of making the Chicago River the city's next recreational frontier,” said McNulty. Non-profits from each state were selected by an independent panel of judges. The public vote will determine six winning organizations to share $150,000 in funding. The organization with the most public support will receive $50,000 in sponsorship funding, while five additional organizations will each receive $20,000. “We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on our ‘50 States for Good’ finalists and their meaningful work,” said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom’s of Maine. “We can’t wait to see the lasting impact of healthy, human and environmental goodness that will come from funding our winning organizations’ projects.”
The public can vote for Team Rubicon’s “Chicago River Clean Up” service project at www.Facebook.com/TomsofMaine now through October 9. One vote per day per person is allowed. About Team Rubicon Team Rubicon (TR) unites the skills and experience of military veterans with medical professionals to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations. TR offers veterans a chance to continue their service by helping and empowering those afflicted by disasters, and also themselves. For more about Team Rubicon, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org. About Tom’s of Maine Tom’s of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal care. TOMs sells high-quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, bar soap, and body wash products. TOMs products are Kosher and Halal certified. The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting people, communities and the living planet. For over 40 years, Tom’s of Maine has sponsored hundreds of non-profit efforts by giving 10% of its profits back to the community and 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. Tom’s of Maine enjoys partnering with its consumers, vendors and community organizations to support lasting, positive change good for people and the planet. Visit us online at http://www. tomsofmaine.com/ or at http://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine. Editor’s Note: To interview William McNulty, Team Rubicon co-founder and Chicago native, or a representative from Tom’s of Maine, contact Kristin Robinson at (913) 568-8043 or robinson@teamrubiconusa.org. ###