Bacardi Limited has celebrated a major corporate social responsibility commitment with a one-month global employee volunteer programme to support communities in need and protect the environment.Building on a proud and dynamic history of philanthropic and social engagement, Bermuda-based Bacardi said it celebrated its spirit of social consciousness through a month-long series of employee volunteer projects in communities around the world.The wide array of projects highlighted the Bacardi commitment to support stronger, healthier, more vibrant and environmentally sustainable communities.Through its “Spirit for Life, Caring Together” corporate responsibility (CR) programme, Bacardi said it highlights the uplifting and hands-on work done by so many of its passionate employees.“Bacardi is committed to giving back to the communities that have helped us grow for more than 150 years,” said Ed Shirley, president and CEO of Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held spirits company.“It just gives you a great feeling to give back. And, frankly, it’s what Bacardi stands for. Social responsibility has been a foundation of Bacardi since even before we were established, when our founder volunteered to lead humanitarian aid efforts after an earthquake devastated his hometown of Santiago de Cuba in 1852. Community engagement and accountability are ingrained in all aspects of our work.”Bacardi employees donated blood, restored beach and coastal areas, raised money for food banks, renovated gardens for the elderly and poor, donated clothes and cleaned up parks and community centres. They also cared for homeless animals, planted trees and helped protect wildlife.“The overarching theme of the CR month focused on environmental sustainability,” the company said.“This theme reinforced the Company’s commitment to cut its use of natural resources and maximise reduction of its carbon footprint, waste and water usage. Over the past six years, Bacardi has reduced its water consumption globally by 50 percent and cut energy use by 33 percent.”Family-owned Bacardi also focused its efforts on supporting disadvantaged people who live in a diverse set of communities around the world and lack basic resources like food, water, shelter and clothing.“Following the great success of the inaugural initiative last year, Bacardi gave employees more flexibility this year to participate in community activities, with multiple opportunities during each of the five weeks of May,” the company said.“More than two-thirds of Bacardi employees worldwide participated in the initiative representing 41 offices and facilities in 35 countries. Employees volunteered nearly 9,500 hours as they engaged in 98 different activities.“Spirit for Life, Caring Together” is a commitment from Bacardi to enable its global workforce to get involved in local activities and give back to their communities in a variety of ways. The programme reinforces the Company’s purpose and values and demonstrates the Bacardi commitment to the environment and sustainable business practices, to the communities where it crafts and sells its products, and to the consumers who enjoy them.Corporate social responsibility is at the core of Bacardi’s overall business approach throughout the calendar year.“Our employees believe strongly that we must continue to focus on both the sustainability of our business and the world we live in,” added Eric Kraus, senior vice president, chief communications & corporate affairs officer, who leads all Bacardi corporate social responsibility initiatives.“Our goal is to set the standard against which corporate responsibility efforts in the spirits industry are measured.”Organizations that benefited from Bacardi volunteer activities deeply appreciated the participation and engagement of Bacardi employees around the world.“We are so happy that Bacardi came out to assist us with our dune restoration project,” said Steve Vincenti, volunteer coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation Miami Chapter, a non-profit grassroots organisation dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches.“The fact that Bacardi employees volunteered their time to remove invasive weeds from our beaches and sand dunes shows just how much they care about the community. We couldn’t be more proud of Bacardi as a great corporate citizen and role model for others in South Florida.”