WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Feb. 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HanesBrands announced today that the company and its employees raised $2.22 million for the United Way of Forsyth County, exceeding its goal for the 2012 campaign. The successful campaign relied on another year of generous donations by Hanes' 2,500 Forsyth County employees and all-time high proceeds of $546,000 from the company's three community product sales.
"HanesBrands employees opened their hearts and wallets yet again to help those most in need in our community," said Ann Fritchman, HanesBrands chief customer officer, Target, and 2012 campaign chairperson. "The generous gifts from our employees will help the United Way improve financial stability for many, increase graduation rates, find shelter for our homeless veterans and combat hunger for children during a time when the need is increasing not diminishing."
In addition, as part of the campaign the company and its employees also donated 23,000 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, one of United Way's 32 partner agencies, and Hanes granted paid time off to 400 headquarters employees to volunteer for a Day of Caring at 11 local community agencies.
The United Way of North Carolina has awarded Hanes with its 2012 Spirit of North Carolina Award for campaign excellence and for having the best business campaign of any North Carolina company with 2,501 to 5,000 employees. This is the company's sixth Spirit award since 2006. The United Way of Forsyth County honored Hanes and its employees, who have donated more than $32 million over the past decade, with the "Decade of Excellence" award in 2011, recognizing the company's commitment to community volunteerism and financial support.
"We are profoundly grateful for HanesBrands' support," said Cindy Gordineer, president and CEO of United Way of Forsyth County. "HanesBrands is a wonderful corporate partner to the United Way, and its commitment is impressive. There is a true philosophy of giving back to the community, as evidenced by the number of employees who participate in the annual Day of Caring, the community product sale which is United Way's largest fundraiser, and the strong overall giving to the annual United Way campaign."
Fritchman echoed that sentiment. "Winning the Spirit of North Carolina Award again is a tribute to our company and employees for the energy and creativity they brought to this year's campaign, and for their ongoing financial support of United Way of Forsyth County," Fritchman said.
HanesBrands
HanesBrands is a socially responsible leading marketer of everyday basic apparel under some of the world's strongest apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion, Playtex, Bali, JMS/Just My Size, barely there, Wonderbra and Gear For Sports. The company sells T-shirts, bras, panties, men's underwear, children's underwear, socks, hosiery, casualwear and activewear produced in the company's low-cost global supply chain. Ranked No. 512 on the Fortune 1000 list, Hanes has approximately 51,500 employees in more than 25 countries and takes pride in its strong reputation for ethical business practices. Hanes is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star 2012 Sustained Excellence Award winner and 2010 and 2011 Partner of the Year. The company ranks No. 141 on Newsweek magazine's list of Top 500 greenest U.S. companies. More information about the company and its corporate social responsibility initiatives, including environmental, social compliance and community improvement achievements, may be found on the Hanes corporate website at www.hanesbrands.com.
The HanesBrands logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=14410