Flint Hills Resources’ commitment to adding value to the communities where employees live includes financial support for many programs that help educate and enrich children, preserve natural resources, or offer a hand to those in need. Many of these programs also benefit from direct involvement by company employees who contribute time and talent for service projects.
Flint Hills Resources believes that part of being a responsible community member and environmental steward is to actively participate in the education of tomorrow’s leaders. With funds and employee volunteers, Flint Hills Resources supports diverse education programs that emphasize personal responsibility, entrepreneurship, science education and environmental stewardship in local communities.
In addition, three of the company’s sites (Joliet, Ill., Rosemount, Minn., and Corpus Christi, Texas) have developed wildlife management programs that have been certified by the international Wildlife Habitat Council. Corpus Christi, which is also a Corporate Lands for Learning™ site, and the Pine Bend refinery site, were initially certified in 2001. The Illinois site earned certification in 2004 and is also a Corporate Lands for Learning site.
Some of the donations in 2008:
Southeast Texas Emergency Relief Fund: Beaumont/Port Arthur, $100,000 for
Hurricane Ike recovery efforts
Nueces County, Texas: donation of $1.2 million property to become cemetery for veterans
Minnesota Early Learning Foundation: $25,000 for programs to help prepare students for kindergarten
University of Alaska: $25,000 for the Museum of the North school tours
Junior Achievement of West Texas: $10,000 as title sponsor of organization’s primary fundraiser
Bill of Rights Institute: $12,000 for Port Arthur Independent School District
Marshall, Minn. Fire Department: $8,000 for new equipment
Hardisty Agricultural Society: $5,000 for upgrades to local youth sports facilities
Three Rivers Education Foundation: $3,000 to introduce business education into schools