MillerCoors Supports Matthew Shepard
MillerCoors and Matthew Shepard Foundation Partner to Help Erase Hate
A matching gift of $10,000 encourages individuals to participate in on-line campaign
GOLDEN, Colo. (Nov. 25, 2008) MillerCoors has teamed up with Judy Shepard to support the Matthew Shepard Foundation (MSF) and its ongoing commitment to ensure that dealing with hate is a top priority in our schools and workplaces. MillerCoors, a national sponsor of MSF, announced it will match 100% of the first $10,000 in donations through the Campaign to Erase Hate website www.MatthewShepard.org.
“Through our on-going commitment to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, we hope we can be part of the solution for erasing hate in our society,” Doug Sanborn, MillerCoors brand manager, LGBT, said. “Through this matching funds campaign, we hope to raise awareness and raise crucial funding needed to equip individuals with the necessary tools to discuss and address hate issues,” he added.
Judy Shepard is the mother of Matthew Shepard – the victim of a hate crime -- and director of the MSF. She said that education, awareness and advocacy are key to erasing hate in schools, workplaces and communities. “What we are trying to do is give this great work a structure and create a community of individuals who are using their voices and talents to address these issues,” Shepard said.
According to Sanborn, MillerCoors was one of the first companies to step up to the Campaign’s challenge through a $25,000 matching fund donation. He noted that MillerCoors also has a long history of support in the LGBT communities it serves. For example:
--Worked on Capitol Hill with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the MSF to try to pass the Matthew Shepard Act and Employment Non-Discrimination Act (EDNA).
--Received a 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for five years in a row.
--First company in the alcohol beverage industry to provide domestic partner benefits.
--MillerCoors supports many gay and lesbian organizations and events. In addition to the MSF, MillerCoors supports the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Gay Pride Week, the Gay Softball World Series, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and the Human Rights Campaign, and many others.
--MillerCoors supports non-profits working with people living with and affect by HIV and AIDS.
--It is MillerCoors policy that we do not discriminate against employees or potential employees on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
--MillerCoors has lesbian and gay employee affinity groups. These groups offer educational, social and support opportunities for its members and all MillerCoors employees.
The MSF is dedicated to 'Erasing Hate’ through education, advocacy and awareness. The MSF is the voice for inclusive hate crimes legislation and works to empower and ensure the safety of gay, transgender and allied youth. For more information about the Campaign to Erase Hate, please visit www.MatthewShepard.org and http://www.matthewsplace.com/.
About MillerCoors
Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies. MillerCoors brews full-calorie beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also imports Peroni, Pilsner Urquell and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and the Sparks line of caffeinated alcohol beverages. MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the Leinenkugel’s 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to become the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.
About Matthew Shepard Foundation
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year-old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance” through its varied education, outreach and advocacy programs. For more information, please visit www.MatthewShepard.org
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