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Buzzi Unicem donates $25,000 to United Way

Buzzi Unicem donates $25,000 to United Way

Monday, January 18, 2021

Buzzi Unicem Plant Manager Tim Menke (left) presents a $25,000 check to United Way board member Abbigail Sampson and United Way Executive Director Chris Flegal. The money is going toward United Way’s COVID-19 Community Relief Fund.


The new year continues to be dominated by COVID-19 and its impacts being felt by families across the community. Buzzi Unicem recently stepped up to help and made a $25,000 donation to the United Way of Putnam County.

The gift is being invested in the United Way’s COVID-19 Community Relief Fund, which helps support the immediate needs of Putnam County residents who have been affected by the health and economic consequences of the pandemic.

Buzzi CEO Massimo Toso explained in a letter that the United Way was selected due to their, “significant efforts to alleviate the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on the individuals and families in our community.”

“We are so thankful for heroes like Buzzi who’s generosity is making it possible for our United Way to improve the lives of Putnam County families who need help during COVID-19,” United Way board member Abbigail Sampson noted. “This is life-changing work and we are excited to celebrate the fruits of Buzzi’s impact as we invest these dollars to meet the increasing demand for help.”

Last year, the United Way invested over $157,000 to meet the immediate needs of Putnam County residents who have fallen behind due to the pandemic. This funding is supporting their health, education and financial stability during this time.

Buzzi Unicem donates $100,000 to area organizations for COVID relief

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - A local company donated $100,000 to local organizations to help with ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts on Tuesday.

Buzzi Unicem gave $25,000 to the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation, $25,000 to United Way of Southeast Missouri and $50,000 to the SEMO Food Bank.

Buzzi Unicem Plant Manager Craig Conklin said any way they can help out their community, they will try and do so.

“Whether it’s front-line workers, first responders, just anyone that’s in need right now due to COVID-19,” Conklin said. “A loss of a job or reduced hours, if Buzzi can help, that means a lot to us.”

SoutheastHEALTH Foundation Development Manager Darah Jirkovsky said this will help patients, first responders and employees through their Relief and Recovery Fund.

“That’s our mission is to help the community and make the community healthier and stronger,” Jirkovsky said. “That’s exactly what this money can help us do so it’s very exciting for us.”

United Way of Southeast Missouri Executive Director Elizabeth Shelton says this contribution will make a huge difference in their annual campaign with their network of partners.

“We’re getting calls every day; our network in our office from people who have never needed help before,” Shelton said. “Who have ever had to ask for help before. COVID has closed their business or forced them to stay home. Without this support we would not be able to help the many people that we are hearing from every single day.”

SEMO Food Bank Chief Advancement Officer Lisa Church says this money has come at a great time before they enter their lean winter months.

They plan on using the money for purchasing food.

“We understand a lot of the feelings that go along with having to seek that assistance,” Church said. “We’re so glad to be able to have partners like Buzzi Unicem. It’s because of them we are able to purchase the food we need to provide it to the many families that really need that kind of assistance right now.”

Conklin said it’s important to make sure they help their neighbors when they are in need just like they have been helped with support from the community for more than a hundred years.

Copyright 2020 KFVS. All rights reserved.

Buzzi Unicem-Lone Star Industries recognized for environmental excellence

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

In recognition of environmental stewardship, Buzzi Unicem USA recently achieved a Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Conservation Certification tier award of GOLD for 2018-2021.

The award is in recognition of sustainability initiatives involving Buzzi’s Putnam Nature Trail (People Pathways), white tailed deer species management and wetlands conservation habit awareness program at the Lone Star Industries Inc. Greencastle plant in Putnam County.

The Buzzi Unicem – Lone Star Greencastle Facility application was designated as Certified Gold, signifying leadership among the more than 700 WHC Conservation Certification programs. Programs are given a Certified, Silver Certified or Gold Certified designation.

The Greencastle plant’s efforts along the local People Pathways nature trail are designed to help get the general public out into natural areas so they can be understood and appreciated.

Visitors using the trail have opportunities to learn more about wildlife, an employee-only hunter species management program and interesting wetlands or bird sanctuary habitat as they walk the trail along the property boundary. According to the plant’s wildlife management plan, it is important to ensure trail users keep their distance and not cross posted trail boundaries.

Although a heron rookery is visible from the trail, cautionary measures are necessary so as to not disturb the timid birds.

As part of this educational outreach, Lone Star also supports annual Earth Day activities in association with the City of Greencastle Sustainability Commission, reaching countless citizens during county-wide events.

Recent Buzzi Unicem USA-sponsored activities like this have also involved distributing a variety of free small tree saplings each year.

“The Buzzi Unicem – Lone Star Greencastle Facility is recognized as meeting the strict requirements of WHC Conservation Certification,” WHC President Margaret O’Gorman said. “Companies achieving WHC Conservation Certification, like Buzzi Unicem USA, are environmental leaders, voluntarily managing their lands to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them.”

Wildlife Habitat Council promotes and certifies habitat conservation and management on corporate lands through partnerships and education. WHC Conservation Certification programs take corporate sustainability goals and objectives and translate them into tangible and measurable on-the-ground actions. Through a focus on building collaboration for conservation with corporate employees, other conservation organizations, government agencies and community members, WHC programs focus on healthy ecosystems and connected communities.

WHC-assisted wildlife habitat and conservation education programs are found in 48 states and 25 countries. Visit www.wildlifehc.org for more information.

Free trees highlight Farmer’s Market opening Saturday

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

A tree giveaway will highlight the opening day of the Farmer’s Market in downtown Greencastle on Saturday.

While getting their first look at the market for 2019, shoppers can also pick up free trees sponsored by Buzzi Unicem USA, the Greencastle Sustainability Commission and the Putnam County Families in Nature.

The Farmer’s Market runs from 8 a.m. until noon on the east side of courthouse square every Saturday from this week into October.

All are invited to meet at the market and support local people and their passions.

Anyone who would like a booth at the market this year should email meetatthemarket@gmail.com for an application. Vendors do not have to be present every week.

Buzzi donates $15,000 to Putnam EMA

Monday, January 4, 2021

By JARED JERNAGAN, Editor

Making a donation on behalf of Buzzi Unicem, (from left) Plant Manager Tim Menke and Alternate Fuels Facility Manager Jamie Robinson present Putnam County EMA Director Tom Helmer and Assistant Director Dave Costin with a $15,000 check.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to affect countries around the globe, Buzzi Unicem is doing what it can to support the communities in which it does business.

On that note, Buzzi recently made a donation of $15,000 to the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency.

Greencastle Plant Manager Tim Menke and Alternate Fuels Facility Manager Jamie Robinson presented the check to Putnam County EMA Director Tom Helmer and Assistant Director Dave Costin recently.

However, the explanation of the thinking behind the donation came straight from Buzzi’s corporate headquarters in Italy, in a letter signed by Chairman of the Board Pietro Buzzi and President and CEO Massimo Toso.

“Diligence in protecting the safety and health of our employees, customers and partners has been our primary goal during these unprecedented and unsettling times,” the executives wrote. “We realize that in this time of crisis, it is critical that we make it possible for you to continue your efforts and help you respond to the unique demands of our area. We have been in business for decades and we want you to know that at this important time, you can count on us to be there for support.”

They went on to explain that the company “has undertaken a global initiative to offer support to selected non-profit organizations, who have made significant effort to alleviate the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on the individuals and families in our community.”

As such, the $15,000 donation was made to Putnam County EMA.

Robinson said local officials felt EMA would be an appropriate steward.

Costin and Helmer, who has since resigned his post after taking office as a county commissioner, did not yet have specific plans for the funds.