Small Business NuStar Sets the Bar for Community Giving

TACOMA, Wash.— NuStar Energy L.P. may be a small in size but they are big in heart.  United Way of Pierce County kicked off the annual Community Campaign in August, working with more than 400 companies in Pierce County with the goal of raising $8.75M in gifts to assist our community.  While NuStar is one of the smallest in that group of 400, they are proving that size doesn’t matter when it comes to generosity.

NuStar is the first company to close their workplace campaign, setting a company record of $21,096 in funds raised, up 25 percent from their 2010 campaign and more than five times their 2005 campaign.   In Pierce County, the average workplace campaign involves 12 to 15 percent of the employees but NuStar had 100 percent participation from their 12 employees. 

If you haven’t done the math already, the average NuStar employee gave over $1,300. To add to the total, NuStar’s corporate office matched $0.50 on the dollar for every gift.  At over $50 per month, employees gave up a night out with their families so that dozens of other families in the area could have a good meal or access needed healthcare.  That seems like a fair deal by most standards.

Vera Brokenshire, a 17-year employee and Operations Analyst of NuStar Energy L.P. in Tacoma, feels that giving back is “just a good thing to do. I’m a lot better off than most.  It could be a lot worse.”  So she and her 11 colleagues at the terminal down on Thea Foss Waterway give generously in time and money.  

NuStar also encourages volunteerism in our community.  In September, NuStar gave the team of 12, who average about ten years tenure with the company, time on the clock to allow for volunteering at Catholic Community Services.  They fed sandwiches and chili to over 100 of our area’s homeless.  Next year, the group plans to donate their time and resources for one night of meals each month. 

“It sure feels good when you do something to give back,” says Brokenshire. 

United Way of Pierce County’s Vice President of Community Education and Resource Development Sean Armentrout commented on the performance of this generous corporate partner and how it will help this year’s campaign.

“With the state of the economy, we anticipated this year’s workplace campaign to be challenging,” said Armentrout. “This year is a call to action, more than perhaps any other year. We are facing a time where 45 percent of Pierce County residents now need some form of DSHS assistance to get by.  This is twice what it was just eight years ago.”   

“Watching this small NuStar group rally to help our fellow community members during this time of extreme need has been inspiring. They have set the bar for others to follow.”

NuStar Energy was named a 2010 Premiere Partner by United Way for their multifaceted philanthropy, helping beyond the Community Campaign. In addition to their volunteerism, NuStar is one of the largest contributors to both United Way’s Back to School and Season of Caring programs, with their donations increasing each year. They also donate matching funds to support the Feed the Need  project , helping other volunteer groups with the resources to provide a meal.