Anheuser-Busch Donates $250,000 to the National Cares Mentoring Movement
Brewer’s Support Helps Mobilize More Than 1 Million Adults to Mentor Youth
January 15, 2008
ST. LOUIS (Jan. 15, 2008) – Anheuser-Busch is proud to announce its support as a founding sponsor of the National Cares Mentoring Movement (NCMM) through a $250,000 donation as the country celebrates the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and observes “National Mentoring Month.” Johnny Furr Jr., Anheuser-Busch’s vice president, Community Affairs and Supplier Diversity, presented the contribution to Susan L. Taylor, editor emeritus of Essence magazine and founder of Essence Cares®, which has become the NCMM, at a Mentor Recruitment Rally held Jan. 15 at the Georgia Perimeter College in Clarkston, Ga.
Introduced in 2006, the NCMM is an urgent call-to-action encouraging able adults to mentor vulnerable young people by partnering with some of the nation’s most trusted community service organizations, such as the National Urban League; 100 Black Men of America; The Links, Incorporated; and the Y.W.C.A.
“In many cities, the negative forces claiming our children are more powerful than our community’s efforts to secure them,” said Furr. “Anheuser-Busch is answering this critical call to help build Dr. King’s ‘beloved community’ by opening our hearts and providing resources to help mobilize local CARES Circles in cities across the nation.”
A CARES Circle is the local, grassroots recruitment effort that aims to connect more than 1 million willing adults with youth ages 6-18 who live in at-risk communities. For more information on NCMM and suggestions on how to get involved, visit www.essencecares.com.
“Through the support of companies like Anheuser-Busch and the commitment of individuals around the country, we will end this state of emergency in Black America. Linking arms and aims, we will open wide the pathways to happiness, wholeness and high achievement for our struggling youngsters,” said Taylor. “Our beloved children are waiting for us.”
The movement’s mission is simple, yet powerful: to create the largest mentoring campaign in the history of the nation and increase high school graduation rates. Mentors may participate individually or gather a number of friends and, together, mentor a group of youngsters.
“As a mentor for many years, I can tell you that all it takes to build a quality relationship with a young person is love and a little time. There’s no better feeling than to share in a child’s success and know that you had a hand in steering his or her positive course,” said Mr. Thomas W. Dortch, NCMM co-chair and chairman emeritus, 100 Black Men of America. “We’re asking people to care and make a commitment to our children and their futures.”
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.4 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2007. Anheuser Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.
Brewer’s Support Helps Mobilize More Than 1 Million Adults to Mentor Youth
January 15, 2008
ST. LOUIS (Jan. 15, 2008) – Anheuser-Busch is proud to announce its support as a founding sponsor of the National Cares Mentoring Movement (NCMM) through a $250,000 donation as the country celebrates the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and observes “National Mentoring Month.” Johnny Furr Jr., Anheuser-Busch’s vice president, Community Affairs and Supplier Diversity, presented the contribution to Susan L. Taylor, editor emeritus of Essence magazine and founder of Essence Cares®, which has become the NCMM, at a Mentor Recruitment Rally held Jan. 15 at the Georgia Perimeter College in Clarkston, Ga.
Introduced in 2006, the NCMM is an urgent call-to-action encouraging able adults to mentor vulnerable young people by partnering with some of the nation’s most trusted community service organizations, such as the National Urban League; 100 Black Men of America; The Links, Incorporated; and the Y.W.C.A.
“In many cities, the negative forces claiming our children are more powerful than our community’s efforts to secure them,” said Furr. “Anheuser-Busch is answering this critical call to help build Dr. King’s ‘beloved community’ by opening our hearts and providing resources to help mobilize local CARES Circles in cities across the nation.”
A CARES Circle is the local, grassroots recruitment effort that aims to connect more than 1 million willing adults with youth ages 6-18 who live in at-risk communities. For more information on NCMM and suggestions on how to get involved, visit www.essencecares.com.
“Through the support of companies like Anheuser-Busch and the commitment of individuals around the country, we will end this state of emergency in Black America. Linking arms and aims, we will open wide the pathways to happiness, wholeness and high achievement for our struggling youngsters,” said Taylor. “Our beloved children are waiting for us.”
The movement’s mission is simple, yet powerful: to create the largest mentoring campaign in the history of the nation and increase high school graduation rates. Mentors may participate individually or gather a number of friends and, together, mentor a group of youngsters.
“As a mentor for many years, I can tell you that all it takes to build a quality relationship with a young person is love and a little time. There’s no better feeling than to share in a child’s success and know that you had a hand in steering his or her positive course,” said Mr. Thomas W. Dortch, NCMM co-chair and chairman emeritus, 100 Black Men of America. “We’re asking people to care and make a commitment to our children and their futures.”
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.4 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2007. Anheuser Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.