11.18.2008 — HARRISBURG, Pa. — D&H Distributing is proud to announce it has implemented several new initiatives based around charity, health, wellness and conservation. The distributor has launched its "D&H Cares" Foundation, in which its employees (all ESOP co-owners) select and organize donation activities on behalf of different national and local aid organizations per quarter. In the program's inaugural quarter, which ran from August to October, D&H Cares and the co-owners that embody it have collected and paid $15,000 to the American Cancer Society.

The distributor has also enacted a wellness program for its co-owners consisting of a variety of health tests, such as regular cholesterol/glucose and blood pressure screenings; educational offerings such as sessions on balanced eating, stress management, etc.; and preventative efforts like company-subsidized smoking cessation courses and annual flu shots.

To contribute to the preservation of the planet, D&H has implemented its "Go Green" initiative, promoting sustainable materials and strategies to conserve energy and reduce waste. This includes a comprehensive recycling plan encompassing cardboard, plastic, paper and aluminum materials; widespread replacement of standard lighting products with energy efficient versions across all six North American warehouses; reduced distribution of internal paper reports, and more.

D&H Cares: Helping The Community and Enriching Employees

"D&H has always donated to non-profits, but it's been done anonymously, as a corporation," began Jeff Davis, senior vice president of sales at D&H and one of the organizers of D&H Cares. "This new program is designed to bring our co-owners into the process. It gives them the authority to select the charities and manage the fundraising tasks. More importantly, it lets each individual contribute on a personal level, either financially, administratively, or through volunteer efforts, so the whole staff can become part of the enrichment experience."

D&H Cares donations can be made in the form of either monetary gifts or time and volunteerism. The largest portion of the program's donations comes from a series of weekly silent auctions, which have raised more than $4,000 per month. All proceeds from the month of September were devoted to the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Close to 70 D&H co-owners participated in the walk on October 18 in Harrisburg. Through donations and sponsorships, the D&H Cares team was able to generate close to $10,000 for that event. In addition, D&H has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for the past two years, devoting company time and manpower to support two to three projects for that organization per year.

Proceeds from D&H Cares' upcoming quarter (November to January) will go to Shriners Children's Hospital, which delivers free pediatric specialty care to thousands of children through its 22 facilities nationwide. D&H Cares will also sponsor food, clothing and toy drives throughout the quarter.

"We want to go beyond the typical one-shot donation and create a culture of support for the greater community, for the well being our fellow employees, and for the conservation of our ecological resources. Its a long-term opportunity to promote a healthy and socially-conscious lifestyle," said Dan Schwab, co-president of D&H Distributing. "We've had an overwhelming response within the company so far. We're all very proud to be able to be part of this."