FARMINGTON, N.M. -- ConocoPhillips disbursed $501,200 to 30 New Mexico charities during a luncheon on Wednesday to honor the company 's Corporate Philanthropic Award recipients.
"This is the best part of my job, giving away money," said San Juan Business Unit General Manager Todd Kreeger, according to a report in the Daily Times. "Since I started with the company, it's harder to give of my time than to give away money."
Kreeger began working for ConocoPhillips 22 years ago, rising through the ranks from petroleum engineer to general manager. Prior to his present post with the company [image-nocss] he worked in Nigeria, Africa. The company donates to local charitable organizations each year.
"This year's donations are a 44% increase over last year," Kreeger said.
Recipients of the awards are grouped into five categories: civic arts, education and youth, safety and environment, San Juan United Way and social services.
Broken down by area:
· $80,000 funded civic arts groups.
· $227,000 went to education and youth programs.
· $72,000 to safety environment programs.
· $59,400 to San Juan United Way.
· $40,000 to programs in the social services category.
Organizations related to United Way received a total of $139,000.
In addition to the donations announced Wednesday, the company announced the recipient of a $5,000 donation chosen by an employee it selected during a drawing. This year's recipient of the $5,000 check was People Assisting the Homeless.
"We want to help where it makes sense," Kreeger said. "We are accepting applications for educational grants and will begin taking applications for our 2009 grants in June and July."Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.