Community Initiatives
Charitable Giving by TJX Divisions
In addition to the numerous causes supported by The TJX Foundation and Associates throughout TJX, our divisions dedicate substantial effort to causes that fit within our corporate philanthropic mission, which is focused on charities that help children, women and families, aid education, assist the disadvantaged, and support battered women and families in communities in which we do business.
In the U.S.
T.J. Maxx has continued its strong support of Save the Children, an organization that recently marked its 75th anniversary of service to children and families. As part of that support, Associates at each T.J. Maxx store, as well as Home Office departments, reached a major milestone in their fundraising and sponsored over 900 children in 2007. T.J. Maxx also held a successful in-store campaign in support of Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to research in the causes, treatment and prevention of autism.
Marshalls is an avid supporter of organizations that work to prevent violence within the home and in the community. In 2007, Marshalls sponsored Shop 'til It Stops and other in-store initiatives to raise awareness of domestic violence. Marshalls also is a key supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Again in 2007, Marshalls sold "Paper Sneakers" as part of an in-store campaign to raise funds and awareness in support of JDRF walks.
HomeGoods also supports charitable organizations that help children and families, as well as those working to prevent domestic violence. In addition, HomeGoods partners with The Jimmy Fund, a division of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to raise funds for the research and treatment of children's cancers. HomeGoods sponsors an in-store campaign to support the Jimmy Fund and HomeGoods Associates also participate in Jimmy Fund walks.
A.J. Wright supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of America through in-store campaigns. Also, A.J. Wright donates to the local Boys & Girls Club whenever it opens a new store. Additionally, A.J. Wright supports programs that have a positive impact on the lives of children and families.
In Canada
In addition to its support of Sunshine Dreams for Kids, Winners and HomeSense support the Canadian Women's Foundation, an organization whose mission is to help stop violence against women and to help women and children become economically independent. In addition, they support Ovarian Cancer Canada which is dedicated to providing hope for women and their families fighting ovarian cancer.
In Europe
T.K. Maxx has a longstanding relationship with NCH, a national children's charity that works with some of the most disadvantaged children in the U.K. Also, since 2004 T.K. Maxx has partnered with Cancer Research UK, the world's leading charity dedicated to research into the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer, with the GiveGet campaign. GiveGet is the UK's biggest charity clothing and homeware collection, which asks people to donate their unwanted clothes and household items to help beat childhood cancers.
Community Relations
The mission of TJX Community Relations is to help TJX sustain its commitment to corporate social responsibility and make a positive impact in the communities in which we do business. TJX considers every neighborhood in which we do business as our community. As such, we endeavor to enrich the lives of both our Associates who live and work in these communities as well as our widely diverse neighbors. We build and maintain relationships and develop outreach programs that support or enhance the communities in order to contribute to TJX's business goals. To accomplish this, we partner with a host of local and national affiliates including charities and nonprofits, schools and educational initiatives, professional and cultural organizations, and our customers.
Community Relief Efforts
In addition to our focus on children, our giving extends to the community at large. Through our support of the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, TJX has provided funding for a variety of relief efforts, including the American Red Cross' Massachusetts Food Pantry. TJX also supports the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund which assists individuals and families whose lives have been struck by natural disaster. In 2007 as a member of the Red Cross' Annual Disaster Giving Program, we contributed to services that helped flooding victims in Texas, Kansas and the Midwest, and victims of wildfires in California and fires in Lawrence, Massachusetts. In addition, this past year, more than 34,000 Associates contributed to the United Way. Our Associates also donated their time and efforts to other charitable causes throughout the year and we are exploring ways in which to increase our volunteerism.
Welfare-to-Work Program
TJX has been a trailblazer and leader in the national Welfare-to-Work program. As of 2007's year-end, we've hired 70,000 individuals through this program, marking a 10-year milestone. Our program has been extremely successful and we have set the bar for other corporations to follow in establishing their own Welfare-to-Work programs. In addition to hiring individuals from the welfare rolls, through TJX Government Programs, the Company has succeeded in creating programs to help these individuals make the difficult transition between receiving public assistance and entering the workforce. Through our TJXtra!® program, we raise awareness among Associates about helpful government benefits. Further, TJX has partnered with many community-based groups, including workforce development agencies to help attract qualified job applicants.
Together, our Company and our Associates have made a difference within our communities and we are committed to continuing our work. The rewards that each of us receive for our efforts are immeasurable.
Photo credit: Save the Children/Susan Warner