Sodexo Sponsors 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.
Company lends support to victims of Japan's earthquake; Festival sponsorship supports multicultural education, environmental improvements with Youth Ambassador Program and Youth Poster Art Contest
GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 25, 2011 As the world comes together to support the victims of Japan's recent earthquake, the U.S. capitol is also preparing to commemorate Japan's 1912 gift of cherry blossom trees to the United States with the 99th annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. Sodexo, Inc., world leader in Quality of Daily Life solutions, is supporting Japan by upholding the Festival's focus on friendship, multicultural education and the environment with its sponsorship of the Youth Ambassadors Program and Youth Poster Art Contest for 2011. To demonstrate its support for quake-stricken Japan, the Festival will donate a portion of the profits from the $5 street festival entrance fee to the American Red Cross.
The Sodexo executive team feels that this year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival has a significant meaning for all Americans, because it is an opportunity to reflect on the recent events in Japan and offer our condolences, friendship and support. Now more than ever, it will be important to continue making advances in educating students about the importance of diversity and friendship as we help Japan rebuild its infrastructure and return to normal life.
Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is the official harbinger of spring, attracting more than one million visitors to share in Japan's 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees to the United States, which remains important as a universal symbol of goodwill and friendship. The 16-day festival includes diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts, culture, education and the environment.
Now in its fourth year, the Youth Ambassadors Program helps to educate Washington's youth (focusing on fourth and fifth graders) about the cultural and international significance of the cherry blossom trees in their communities. Through the program, students learn more about their local history and Japanese culture. They come to understand the importance of the care and maintenance of the trees and help spread the messages of goodwill and friendship.
Additionally, the Youth Poster Art Contest invites students from DC public and charter schools in grades K through 12 to participate by submitting a poster they design about the cherry blossom trees and their message of goodwill and friendship. Entries are judged by a panel, and winners are selected in age-specific categories, as well as one "best-of contest" winner. Winners are acknowledged and Treasury Bonds are awarded at a special pre-Festival ceremony including the winner's families, teachers, and Festival, DC Government, and sponsor representatives.
To learn more about the 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Youth Art Poster Contest and Youth Ambassadors Program, please visit: www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
About Sodexo
Sodexo in North America
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On Site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $15 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.
Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions
Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo acts as the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and employee well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 380,000 employees in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled array of On Site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the fulfillment of its employees and the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates.
Key Figures (as of August 31, 2010)
Sodexo in the World |
Sodexo in North America |
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15.3 billion euro consolidated revenue 380,000 employees 34,000 sites 50 million consumers served daily 80 countries 21st largest employer worldwide |
8.0 billion dollars revenue 120,000 employees 10 million consumers served daily 6,000 clients 700 facilities management sites |
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SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.
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