Community in 2020: we give where we live

December 23, 2020
Kim Graham

CBTS is a global company with deep roots in our communities. The events of 2020 strengthened our resolve to “give where we live” and devote time and effort to the neighborhoods where we live, work, and do business.

We quickly adapted as restrictions created in response to a global pandemic halted plans for in-person events and activities. The company expanded on existing initiatives, sought and organized other opportunities, and we gave to those in need in a variety of ways.

  • United Way of Greater Cincinnati
    We raised $614,000 for the United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s fund raising campaign through employee contributions, exceeding our $600,000 corporate goal. This year’s United Way campaign came during an extremely challenging time as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, our company made a contribution of $250,000, plus a subsequent corporate pledge of $136,000 to help United Way close their funding gap.
     
  • Connect Our Students Program
    With Connect Our Students, parent company Cincinnati Bell partnered with Cincinnati Public Schools, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and ComputerXpress to help thousands of K-12 public school students in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky access free Internet connectivity at home in time for the 2020-21 school year. This program focused on increasing digital equity through pilot programs in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that will be tailored to meet the needs of local school districts.
     
  • CancerFree Kids
    We have supported CancerFree Kids for over a decade in its effort to eradicate cancer as a life-threatening disease in children by funding promising research that might otherwise go unfunded. This year we sponsored CFK’s annual Celebration of Champions Dinner, which raised a record $436,700.
     
  • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
    At Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night—which went virtual for its October 8 event—our corporate team raised more than $13,000. We’re also proud to share that teammate Kat Taylor, Community Relations Manager, has been nominated for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 2021 Man & Woman of the Year. She will dedicate the next six months to fundraising for LLS.

Employees came through in so many other ways: fulfilling our ArtsWave fund raising pledge, helping Make-a-Wish wishes come true; delivering meals to local homeless shelters and families; tutoring students virtually; corresponding with local senior citizens who have been isolated by pandemic restrictions; completing our annual wish list drive for local families; answering calls for telethons supporting local charities; and joining the virtualized Heart Mini Marathon.

2020 has demanded more of each of us than at any time in recent memory. We are proud to have collectively accomplished so much for our communities; this year and we look forward to exceeding these efforts in 2021.


Also Read:

Surviving in 2020: Our Employees are at the Heart of Our Business

Thriving in 2020: Employee Resource Groups Cultivate our Culture

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