FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2008

mtvU and Jed Foundation Finalists for Chamber Partnership Award

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center today recognized mtvU and the Jed Foundation for their “Half of Us” campaign to prevent suicide and combat depression among college-age students.

“We have no doubt that business-nonprofit partnerships have been responsible for significant social successes in recent years,” said BCLC Executive Director Stephen Jordan. “The U.S. Chamber, BCLC, and our board of directors honor mtvU and the Jed Foundation for their work together to make the world a better place."

The Partnership Award is part of BCLC’s annual Corporate Citizenship Awards competition and recognizes a company and a charitable organization for addressing an important social issue. The other business-nonprofit partnerships being honored as finalists are: Abbott Laboratories and Direct Relief International, American International Group, Inc. and CHF International, CVS Caremark and Simon Youth Foundation and Eli Lilly and Company and the International Council of Nurses.

The winner of the 2008 Partnership Award will be determined by online public vote. BCLC encourages voters to go to BCLC’s Web site (www.uschamber.com/bclc/awards) by October 8 to learn more about the finalists and select their favorite partnership. Last year, the second year the Partnership Award was bestowed, more than 24,000 voters participated.

The winner will be announced on November 18 at BCLC’s 9^th annual Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner at Washington, DC’s National Building Museum. The celebration is expected to draw 600 business, civic, and government officials.

All awards categories and finalists can be viewed at www.uschamber.com/bclc/awards. 

BCLC is the U.S. Chamber’s resource and voice for business’ social and philanthropic interests. Its mission is to advance the positive role of business in society. The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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