Employees show commitment to environmental education, volunteerism
The Valero Wilmington Refinery has earned high praise from the environmental community in Southern California, recently accepting a major community award for environmental leadership and community volunteerism and support.
Before a black-tie audience of more than 500 community leaders, state and local elected officials and various city agencies, the Valero Wilmington Refinery received the prestigious Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s (CMA) 2008 Leadership Award. The refinery was selected over an elite group of nominees from the city, state, business and advocacy communities.
“Valero is an outstanding corporate citizen, operating with an environmental stewardship, philanthropic spirit, and a strong commitment to safety, the community and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium,” CMA officials said.
Considered the most significant honor in environmental and community commitment in the Los Angeles area, the honor recognizes Valero’s exceptional leadership and contribution to the enhancement of the local community and to the protection and support of the marine environment. According to the CMA, award recipients show a commitment to considering the “big picture” and an ability to improve the environment.
“Valero Wilmington’s commitments to the community and the environment are comprehensive, but we are most proud of the priceless 8,000 hours of employee volunteer time in the LA Harbor Area this past year,” said Steve Faichney, Director of Community Relations & Government Affairs for the refinery.
Faichney accepted the award on the refinery’s behalf, telling the audience that employee dedication and a deep-seeded culture of giving back has helped Valero earn national recognition.
Located on Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, Calif., the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a nonprofit public aquarium that exists to promote awareness, appreciation and conservation of Southern California marine life through educational programs, recreation and research. As a leader in environmental and aquaculture research, the aquarium is recognized as an authority in marine education.
The 36,000-square-foot facility features a teaching laboratory, outdoor tide pools, interactive exhibits and a marine research library. In a typical year, the aquarium welcomes more than 100,000 schoolchildren – Kindergarten through high school – and serves another 30,000 children in the classroom through its Ocean Outreach Program.
Valero’s “Corporate Circle” relationship with the aquarium dates back more than 15 years. In 1995, Valero Wilmington sponsored a salt marsh restoration project, and in 2004, the refinery helped support a major aquarium expansion project.
“The value of the CMA experience can be measured by the fact that it still ranks as the No. 1 field trip for Los Angeles schools, along with many other schools outside the region, all coming to visit this diamond of education in San Pedro,” Faichney said. “Valero is honored to receive this award and is committed to continue to be the best in safety, environmental performance and a major sponsor of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.”
In addition to the CMA award, the Valero Wilmington Refinery was honored in April by the L.A. Harbor Area “Gang Alternatives Program” (GAP) as its “Corporate Partner of the Year” for 2008, in recognition of the refinery’s contribution to youth programs that provide education and alternatives to gangs in Los Angeles.
Other recent activities of Valero Wilmington Volunteers include:
L.A. Mayor’s Day of Service – Valero employees partnered with community leaders to conduct clean-up activities across the city of Wilmington.
Success By Six Programs for the United Way
Wilmington Community Family Picnic
Arbor Day Tree Planting in Wilmington
Wilmington Little League Baseball Field Preparation
Student mentoring in Wilmington schools