Jabil is continuing its tradition of community involvement by participating in the Tampa Bay Lightning's new Community Heroes program, which honors a Hero at each home game who has given back to the local community. During each of the 41 home games, the Lightning Foundation presents a video regarding the Hero's commitment and awards the Hero with a $50,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Human Development Bill Peters explains why Jabil is participating in this program. "The Lightning's Community Heroes program closely aligns with our long-standing commitment to make a positive impact on the communities we touch. The tremendous support we've received from the St. Petersburg / Tampa Bay area has contributed to Jabil's success, and we are in the fortunate position of being able to give back and help make a difference in our corporate headquarters community."

Nominations for Community Heroes are submitted for consideration via the Lightning website and a committee of Lightning executives and business leaders. The committee selects individuals across a variety of areas, including how they impact individuals, families or the community-at-large, and how they go "above and beyond" to serve and inspire others.

"All Jabil sites do a great job giving back to their local communities, and as we continue to grow and hire new people, it's important that they see how committed our employees are to great causes that help others," said Peters. "It is this commitment to the community that has always been a part of Jabil's culture, and has made us the company we are today."

Employees in St. Petersburg have an opportunity to represent Jabil at the game and thank the Community Hero in-person. As part of the partnership, local employees will meet the Community Hero, their family and charity members, in the Jabil-sponsored Community Heroes suite at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Jabil's participation in the Community Heroes program has a secondary benefit of building trust with customers by showcasing our commitment to the local community. "We want customers to know that Jabil is one of the 'good guys' in the manufacturing services industry. Our employees are second to none and community involvement is just one way we can differentiate ourselves from the competition. I know that whenever our employees are behind a great cause, the results are extraordinary. They help us build a bond with customers as trusted partners," said Bill.

Jabil's relationship with the Lightning goes beyond the Community Heroes program and this year's hockey season. Jabil St. Petersburg employees are encouraged to volunteer their time for various charitable events organized by the Lightning throughout the year in a program called CHARGE (Community Hours Across the Region by our Generous Employees). This partnership affords Jabil more visibility in the Tampa Bay area and provides employees recognition for their contributions to the community. The partnership is off to a great start as more than 100 employees volunteered to help Metropolitan Ministries provide for those in need at Thanksgiving.

Cinthia Lacerda understands the value of investing in people. Eight years ago she was a student in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, with few job prospects and no educational opportunities. Then she enrolled in Great People, a program funded by Jabil that provides job training and life skills for impoverished girls.

Today, Cinthia is a Great People graduate and an HR Assistant at Jabil Belo Horizonte. She now supports the program by playing violin for the Sol das Gerais Young Orchestra – an ensemble composed by Great People students – and her story is encouraging for girls who are making their way through the program.

"In my personal life, the Great People Program helped me to develop different skills, with lessons in music, crafts and computers," said Cinthia. "It also provided me with important values like duty, obligation, persistence, creativity and responsibility. Professionally, the program was instrumental in defining my career."

Rosa Chávez and her family thought joining Missions, a group devoted to supporting impoverish communities, would merely be a positive way to spend time together. What they got was a lifetime devotion to helping those in need.

"That experience opened my eyes and I knew it was something I had to pursue," said Rosa.

It was her work with Missions that led Rosa to join Jabil Guadalajara's Community Support Team eight years ago. Run by volunteers, the team collects needed items for local need-based organizations and holds monthly events to entertain orphans and the elderly.

Rosa coordinates the team efforts and her passion and commitment has helped the group to grow from 6 to 50.

"My biggest reward comes from their smiles and gratitude. It helps me to keep going and maintain a positive attitude to motivate the group," said Rosa.

It was the beauty of Daya District's golden fields of wheat that inspired Pauly Kuo to create a program that strengthens ties between Jabil and the community. While driving to work, the fields on either side, she thought of the Wheat Festival that celebrates the region's most important crop.

Three years later, Jabil is an integral festival supporter. A Jabil-sponsored Wheat Creativity contest received 67 submissions this year. The site also collects clothing and home goods for several weeks prior to the event. Proceeds from the sale of these items are donated to the Huei-Ming Home for the Blind, which provides residential support for children with special education needs.

Beyond establishing Jabil as a supportive member of the community, the effort has further expanded Pauly's own commitment to giving. "Though it's part of my duty and role that made me to take the responsibility to do this, I found I'm touched by all of these contributions we've made to our neighbors and charities," said Pauley.