Give Back to Gro

Give Back to Gro

Nurturing a volunteer spirit among associates

scottsmiracle-Gro has a proud history of giving back, both as a company and through the scotts miracle-Gro Foundation.

this legacy is a foundational pillar of the company’s culture and has led scottsmiracleGro to empower its associates to give back as well. this is where Give back to Gro comes in. the program, part of the company’s broader livetotal health initiative, provides associates with two paid days off a year to volunteer with nonprofits of their choice.

the result: Communities benefit, while associates experience the personal fulfillment and teamwork that comes from helping others.

“We want to empower our associates not only to give back, but to do so in their own way,” says Denise stump, Executive Vice President of human Resources.

“the beauty of it is that you make the choice,” stump says. “you are given the opportunity to volunteer for nonprofit organizations or causes that align with your values. Whether you’re passionate about helping adopted children, working with youths and the homeless or volunteering at a local dog shelter, we strive to make it convenient for you to give back on a large or small scale.”

this charitable philosophy at scottsmiracleGro started with miracle-Gro founder horace hagedorn and has continued to flourish under his son, Chairman and CEo Jim hagedorn, says su lok, Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships.

“horace hagedorn would often say, ‘When you find a need, you have to fill it.’ that’s how the notion of giving back to grow started, from horace’s belief in helping give those less fortunate a chance at a better life,” lok explains.

this philosophy has fueled the company’s and the scotts miracle-Gro Foundation’s philanthropic efforts through the years. Associates have embraced this belief wholeheartedly, and the spirit of volunteerism can be felt throughout the organization.

For scott novak, Vice President of Global Quality, Environmental, health and safety, it is refreshing to be part of a company with strong principles.

“I value the fact that my company has demonstrated it has the same values I do,” novak says. “A lot of companies can say it’s important to give back to the community but wouldn’t give you the flexibility to spend time at a nonprofit you believe in.”

novak volunteers with habitat for humanity and has coordinated groups from scotts to work at habitat sites, in addition to leading fundraising initiatives for the organization. this kind of team-building for volunteerism happens regularly throughout scottsmiracle-Gro.

“It’s part of who we are, and it’s encouraged by our leadership team,” lok says. “It’s something that is valued, and it’s another way for our associates to grow and develop.” m

“We Want to empoWer our associates not only to give back, but to do so in their oWn Way.” —Denise Stump, Executive Vice President of Human Resources

1988 Scotts improves its portfolio by acquiring the lawn and garden divisions of Hyponex, the country’s largest producer of organic growing media. 1992 New technologies make fertilizer lighter, less bulky and more cost-effective.

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