HONOLULU, March 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Funded by the businesses of Matson, Inc. (NYSE: MATX), the Matson Foundation last year provided more than $2 million in cash and in-kind donations to charitable organizations and community efforts in Matson's service areas including Hawaii, the Pacific (Guam, Micronesia, the South Pacific), and across the U.S. Mainland and Alaska.
"As a Hawaii corporation, we demonstrate our reliability and commitment to this state in many ways, and our communities can count on Matson to be a charitable partner as well," said Matt Cox, president & CEO of Matson, Inc. and president of Matson Foundation. "Our contributions are directed by Matson employees who know their communities and who also give their own time and money."
Matson Foundation contributes funds, material goods and services to assist in the development and operation of locally-focused not-for-profit, charitable and community-based organizations located where Matson has business operations. Resources are allocated by Matson's corporate board annually.
Among Matson's notable cash support in 2015 was a combined $175,000 for United Way chapters across its service areas, to which employees added personal donations of close to $50,000. Other key grants included $50,000 pledges each to PBS Hawaii's 'New Home' campaign; to the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii's planned service center in Kapolei, and to a five-year scholarship program supporting post-secondary scholarships in Micronesia in celebration of Matson's 20 years of service to Guam.
On the U.S. West Coast, Matson is fulfilling a $30,000 commitment to the International Trade Education Program and was a $10,000 donor to the Oakland Museum of California's "Pacific Worlds" exhibition.
In addition to cash donations totaling $30,000 to regional Red Cross centers, Matson provided in-kind support exceeding $300,000 in value to post-typhoon recovery efforts in Saipan, Guam and the Western Pacific, which were struck by two major storms last year.
Ka Ipu 'Aina (container for the land), an environmental program Matson began in 2001, continued last year with more than 100 Hawaii organizations - mostly sports and student groups - each earning $1,000 for weekend cleanups, removing trash and debris from public areas, often in partnership with the City & County of Honolulu. In Guam, a similar program, Adahi I Tano' (caring for the land) has been serving the community since 2013.
Additional information on contributions and recipient organizations is posted on Matson's website at: http://www.matson.com/foundation/matsonfoundation/community_support_2015.html
For more information on the foundation, visit www.matson.com/foundation.
Matson was ranked the fourth largest contributor to charitable organizations among Hawaii corporations, according to 2014 data compiled by Hawaii Business magazine.
In 2015, Matson was rated the #1 ocean carrier in the world for the second consecutive year by shipping customers in Logistics Management's 31st annual Quest for Quality Awards survey, considered the most prestigious industry recognition of performance excellence and customer satisfaction.
About Matson
Founded in 1882, Matson is a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific. Matson provides a vital lifeline to the economies of Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Micronesia and select South Pacific islands, and operates a premium, expedited service from China to Southern California. The Company's fleet of 25 vessels includes containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off ships and custom-designed
barges. Matson Logistics, established in 1987, extends the geographic reach of Matson's transportation network throughout the continental U.S. Its integrated, asset-light logistics services include rail intermodal, highway brokerage and warehousing. Additional information about Matson, Inc. is available at www.matson.com.
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SOURCE Matson, Inc.
