Tom's of Maine Gives $500,000 to Inspirational Nonprofits Across the Nation

Biggest-Ever 50 States for Good Program Supports a Grassroots Organization in Every State

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Dec 17, 2014, 12:00 ET

KENNEBUNK, Maine, Dec. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Tis the season to give back. Today, 51 nonprofit organizations will be able to give back more in local communities as winners of the Tom's of Maine sixth annual 50 States for Good community giving program. This year, more than $500,000 will go directly toward funding projects that benefit communities in every state and the District of Columbia.

From life-changing work supporting children's literacy to urban agriculture to veteran reintegration, these dedicated grassroots organizations share a mutual passion for improving lives in their communities with heart and sweat equity. To date, the Tom's of Maine 50 States for Good community giving program, which allows the public to nominate their favorite nonprofits, has benefited more than five million people and hundreds of communities across the nation.

"For the first time, we're awarding more than $500,000 to support organizations and volunteers on the front lines of making communities stronger across the country," said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "Every community advocate we heard from – reflected in thousands of nominations – has a unique and special vision for bringing a lasting, positive impact to where they live."

Each nonprofit will receive $10,000 to support their community programming:

Friends of Campbell Creek Science Center	Anchorage, AK
Druid City Garden Project	Tuscaloosa, AL
Lucie's Place	Little Rock, AR
Treasures 4 Teachers	Tempe, AZ
What's Mine is Yours	Concord, CA
Phamaly Theatre Company	Aurora, CO
hawkwing, Inc.	Glastonbury, CT
Common Good City Farm	Washington, DC
Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids	Hockessin, DE
In Jacob's Shoes	Pompano Beach, FL
Books for Keeps	Athens, GA
Giving Back Mentoring	Paia, HI
Young Women's Resource Center	Des Moines, IA
Framing Our Community	Elk City, ID
Safe Humane Chicago	Chicago, IL
HearCare Connection	Fort Wayne, IN
Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health, Inc.	Wichita, KS
Grow Appalachia	Berea, KY
lowernine.org	New Orleans, LA
Found in Translation	Medford, MA
Extra-Ordinary Birthdays	College Park, MD
My Place Teen Center	Westbrook, ME
Sweet Dreamzzz, Inc.	Farmington, MI
Manna Market	Fridley, MN
St. Louis HELP	St. Louis, MO
Stewpot Community Services	Jackson, MS
Red Lodge Area Community Foundation	Red Lodge, MT
Mothers and Their Children, Inc.	Raleigh, NC
Metigoshe Ministries	Bottineau, ND
Cross Training Center	Omaha, NE
Copper Cannon Camp	Franconia, NH
Seer Farms	Jackson, NJ
Dental Care In Your Home, Inc.	Albuquerque, NM
Goodie Two Shoes Foundation	Las Vegas, NV
City Growers NYC	Long Island City, NY
Riders Unlimited	Oak Harbor, OH
Full Circle Adult Day Center	Norman, OK
Libraries of Eastern Oregon	Moro, OR
ASAP - After School Activities Partnerships	Philadelphia, PA
House of Hope Community Development Corporation	Warwick, RI
Palmetto Project - Begin With Books program	Mount Pleasant, SC
NAMI South Dakota	Sioux Falls, SD
Strings for Hope	White Bluff, TN
Elves and More	Spring, TX
Karma Bike Shop	Magna, UT
Angel Wheels to Healing	Virginia Beach, VA
Vermont Woodlands Association	Rutland, VT
Growing Veterans	Lynden, WA
Faith, Hope, & Love, Inc.	Racine, WI
Boys & Girls Club of The Eastern Panhandle - Morgan County Unit	Martinsburg, WV
Sheridan Angels	Sheridan, WY

Nonprofits from each state were selected from a pool of nearly 3,000 nominations by a passionate panel of influential judges representing a variety of unique perspectives on human, healthy and environmental goodness.

Since it was founded in 1970, Tom's of Maine has donated 10% of its profits back to the community and encourages employees to use 5% (12 days) of paid time off to volunteer every year. To learn more about this year's winners, visit www.50StatesforGood.com.

About Tom's of Maine
Tom's of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal care carrying high quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, antiperspirant, deodorant and bar soap products. The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting people, communities and the planet. For almost 45 years, Tom's of Maine has sponsored hundreds of nonprofit efforts by giving 10% of its profits back to organizations that support human and environmental goodness and by encouraging employees to use 5% (12 days) of employee time to volunteer. Tom's of Maine employees regularly contribute suggestions for improving the company's high sustainability standards. And their ideas, from wind power to ways to improve recycled and recyclable packaging options, are critical to the company's sensitive way of doing business. Most Tom's of Maine products are vegan, kosher and halal certified and gluten-free. All packaging is recyclable through a partnership with upcycling leader TerraCycle or participating municipalities. Tom's of Maine values partnering with its consumers, suppliers and community organizations to support lasting, positive change that is good for people and the planet. Visit us online at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/ or at http://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.

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SOURCE Tom's of Maine