Volunteerism
The close connection between Cooper and its communities is best represented by the engagement of Cooper people in improving and strengthening their local communities. The sense of volunteerism at Cooper is strong across the world. Cooper employees recognize the importance of robust engagement in their communities in order to foster a better place to live and work. Examples include:
Humane Society of Hancock County, Ohio
Like many locally run humane societies throughout the U.S., the mission of the Hancock County Humane Society is to humanely treat all animals. Nearly 3,000 dogs and cats are cared for annually by the Hancock County Humane Society. Cooper employees give of their time and talents to help this organization in a meaningful way. The Humane Society is also one of the many charitable organizations which has benefited from Cooper’s Jeans Day program – a program which allows employees to wear jeans to work on Fridays, and in return, Cooper people voluntarily make a small donation to a selected charity.
Habitat for Humanity
Cooper employees volunteer through Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for local families. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that uses volunteer labor and donations of money and materials to build simple, decent houses with its homeowner (partner) families. Cooper employees have served as “Crew Leaders.” Crew Leaders direct volunteers to complete construction tasks and are responsible for ensuring that they have a safe, pleasant volunteer experience. Habitat for Humanity is one more way that Cooper employees serve their community.
Tire Amnesty Days
Cooper co-sponsors Scrap Tire Amnesty Days in cooperation with local governments. At these events, residents are encouraged to bring scrap tires to designated locations where Cooper volunteers accept them and load them into trailers for transport to recycling facilities. Collecting the tires ensures that they are processed in an environmentally responsible manner and eliminates a pest habitat. The Scrap Tire Amnesty Day is another example of Cooper protecting the environment in the communities where we operate.
Findlay, Ohio
Findlay Plant employees have been involved in Tire Amnesty Days for a number of years. At a recent event, a total of 1,900 tires were collected – an estimated 25 tons – including passenger, light truck, bicycle, all-terrain vehicle, dragster and tractor tires.
Tupelo, Mississippi
Tupelo Plant employees participated in their first Tire Amnesty Day on the 2010 America Recycles Day. The event was part of a nationally-recognized initiative organized by Keep America Beautiful and dedicated to encouraging people to recycle more at home, at work, and on the go.
Boy Scouts of America
For many years, Cooper employees have spent countless hours volunteering in the role of scoutmasters, board members and supporters of special projects. Cooper and its employees have been instrumental in raising funds to preserve the fine facilities and programs of the local Boy Scout Council in Findlay, Ohio.
Cooper Sponsored United Way Events
Cooper is a leader in each of its communities with local United Way campaigns and United Way subsidized organizations. Cooper holds numerous fund raising events, including most recently, a Cooper organized and sponsored Golf Outing to raise funds for United Way in Findlay, Ohio. The United Way is a worldwide network in 45 countries and territories, including nearly 1,300 local organizations in the U.S. that focus on the three key building blocks of education, income and health.
Member of Berks & Wilts Canal Project
A Cooper employee is a member of the committee organizing the planned restoration of the old canal that linked the River Thames to the Kennet and Avon Canal. Canal projects in Britain have been both a scenic addition to the countryside and an important stimulus to the tourist industry.