COMMUNITY GIVING - Buffalo Bayou Partnership

The Sky’s
the Limit!
Over the past three years, Continental Airlines has provided
Buffalo Bayou Partnership with more than $25,000 of free
air travel. Continental’s donated airline transportation
certificates have been used to honor winners in BBP’s annual
Buffalo Bayou Regatta and to bring international artists to
Houston as part of the organization’s public art activities.
“Continental’s contribution of free air travel has been an
important incentive in attracting Regatta participants and
has allowed artists participating in our public art projects
to travel here from as far away as Mexico City,” says BBP
President Anne Olson.
Besides its philanthropic work, Continental is making
valuable contributions to the world’s environment. Fortune
magazine recently named Continental one of the top ten
global companies in the Community/Environment category
on its list of Most Admired Global Companies. Take a look at
just some of the ways the Houston-based airline has taken
decisive steps to incorporate environmental stewardship
into its corporate culture.
Through a partnership with
Katz Coffee’s Coffee Cause
Program, BBP receives a
portion of proceeds from the
sale of Bayou Blend coffee.
Featuring an historic photo
of BBP’s
International
Coffee
Building
at Allen’s
Landing, the
Bayou Blend
package
describes
the fair trade/organic and
bird friendly coffee as “richly
aromatic, hefty earthy and
distinctly lush – much like
Houston’s Buffalo Bayou, the
fascinating urban greenspace
that inspired the coffee and
traverses from the outskirts
of Katy through downtown
Houston to the Ship Channel.”
Stepping Up to the Plate
Guests and participants at Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s 2009 events
have enjoyed tasty treats and refreshing drinks from the following
generous Houston businesses:
Whole Foods Market provided more
than 450 lunches at this year’s Buffalo
Bayou Regatta. The store also donated
snacks for 200 participants at our
annual Planting on the Parkway.
Tenaris, the leading global manufacturer and supplier of energy
tubular products, first became involved with Buffalo Bayou
Partnership in March 2009, when their employees helped
reconstruct Tapley Tributary during “A Day in the Dirt” volunteer event. Subsequently,
thanks to an introduction by Courtney Votaw, Community Relations Coordinator
for Tenaris and a member of BBP’s young professional group, Bayou Buddies, BBP
worked to secure an in-kind pipe donation for the construction of the International
Coffee Building (ICB) at historic Allen’s Landing. Through this innovative partnership,
Tenaris provided a total of 2,805
linear feet of pipe for handrails
with a fair market value of almost
$21,000.
John Gerlach, Project Manager,
Tenaris Coiled Tubes- Downhole
Center, was instrumental in
making the request a reality.
“When I first heard that Tenaris
was considering a donation, I
became quite interested. Living
near Buffalo Bayou, I have
enjoyed the Bayou Regatta, the
bike trails, and had volunteered last spring for a Day in the Dirt,” said Gerlach. “It
seemed like a natural progression to provide my services to ensure BBP received
the materials desired for the International Coffee Building project, and it was
rewarding to see pipe loaded out for a cause which will help beautify our city. I look
forward to observing the construction and receiving progress updates.”
St. Arnold’s Brewery has
been a wonderful partner and
we are happy to say a neighbor
with their new location
near BBP’s office in the north downtown warehouse district. St. Arnold’s
tasty brew has quenched the thirst of many throughout the year, from the
Regatta, volunteer events during the summer heat, to the Bayou Buddies
Planting on the Parkway and Bites and Bats Tours. Cheers to you Lennie
Ambrose and everyone at St. Arnold’s!
Others Who Have
Stepped Up to the Plate:
Founded in 1906, Tenaris’ history is deeply intertwined with the communities in which
it is located. As the North American headquarters, the company has been heavily
involved with the Museum of Fine Arts, where it has been the lead sponsor of the
Latin Wave film festival.
• Continental is committed to
constructing its airport facilities
according to the U.S. Green Building
Council Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED).
• Continental has been using electric
ground equipment in Houston since
2002, reducing emissions from ground
equipment approximately 75 percent.
• Continental is today nearly 35 percent
more fuel efficient for every mile a
passenger flies than in 1997.
• Continental has instituted recycling
programs in its maintenance facilities,
offices, flight kitchens and aircraft.
• Continental has more than 1,000 athome
reservation agents in order to
reduce the number of employees who
commute to work.
Antone’s
Real Ale Brewing
Redwood Creek Wine
Sweet Leaf Tea
H o m e D e p o t
Gratitude goes to those Houston media
outlets who have helped promote
Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Being a
non-profit organization, our advertising
budget is limited, and Buffalo Bayou
Partnership is very appreciative of the
print, radio, and TV companies who have
helped spread the word:
Examiner News Group
Greensheet
Houston Chronicle
Houston Health &
Fitness Magazine
Houston Family Magazine
Houston Press
KHOU-Channel 11
PaperCity
002+
107.5 FM K-Hits
Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s
revitalization and redevelopment
work would not be possible without
the support of governmental agencies
and organizations. We sincerely thank
our many public sector partners for
their support and steadfast commitment
to Buffalo Bayou.
City of Houston Airport System
City of Houston Convention &
Entertainment Facilities Department
City of Houston Mayor’s Office
of Special Events
City of Houston Parks &
Recreation Department
City of Houston Public Works &
Engineering Department
Greater East End
Management District
Harris County Flood
Control District
Houston Downtown
Management District
Main Street/Market Square Tax
Increment Reinvestment Zone
Memorial Heights Tax Increment
Reinvestment Zone
Port of Houston Authority
f o l low i n g h u r r i c a n e i k e , The Home Depot Foundation, the
philanthropic arm of The Home Depot, provided $1 million to recovery and
rebuilding efforts along the Texas Gulf Coast. Buffalo Bayou Partnership was
honored to be a recipient of a $10,000 Gift Card that was used to purchase tools
and supplies for removal of fallen trees, debris and silt along Buffalo Bayou’s
trails. In addition to using the Gift Card for Hurricane Ike cleanup efforts, BBP has
purchased other items that are being used by the more than 1,500 volunteers who
annually participate in the organization’s Adopt-a-Spot program, Green Team, and
other conservation activities.
A major and most valuable Home Depot purchase has been a tool shed that stores
volunteer equipment and supplies. Located in a parking lot along the bayou’s west
sector, the structure provides a satellite site that supplements the organization’s
main East End storage facility.
“By having this structure, we have been able to save considerable time in
transportation and pre-event setup,” points out Jessalyn Ballard, BBP Volunteer/
Outreach Coordinator. “Our volunteers are now able to arrive and park, grab gloves,
rakes and shovels, and walk along the trails to the cleanup and beautification areas.”
Created in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to building affordable
homes for working families. Since its formation, the foundation has granted
$120 million to non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. and supported the
development of more than 65,000 affordable homes.
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