The December 5 episode of Let’s Talk Cincy showcased Western & Southern as a Cincinnati Fortune 500 company that not only plays a vital role in providing jobs and services, but also makes an impact through community involvement.
During the 30-minute community affairs program that airs on WLWT-TV Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., host Courtis Fuller focused on Western & Southern’s support of The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati, then touched on the company’s longtime connection to Ride Cincinnati. The show included an interview with John F. Barrett, Western & Southern’s chairman, president and CEO, and featured Mario San Marco, a former president of Western & Southern subsidiary Eagle Realty Group who currently serves as senior vice president of economic development for Western & Southern.
Western & Southern contributes financially to the community, but also gives time and talent, Fuller explained. He said “the culture of giving starts at the top” and “is ingrained in the company.” Barrett added that all the company’s senior officers serve on community or charitable boards to support causes “that are going to be meaningful for a long time and make a favorable impact on the most people possible.”
Western & Southern has been supporting The Salvation Army for 81 years. “The connection is most notable this time of year because of the popular Crib of the Nativity,” said Fuller. Located next to Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park, the nativity display is a representation of the first Christmas. A collection box can be found at the crèche, where visitors can make donations to The Salvation Army. Western & Southern matches every donation dollar for dollar. In addition to this match, the company supports The Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-Family and Adopt-a-Senior programs during the holidays.
The Let’s Talk Cincy episode also highlighted a personal reflection from San Marco, who recalled how he learned the meaning of service during his childhood. Watch him tell his story and learn more about Western & Southern’s partnership with The Salvation Army in this YouTube video.
Another area where Western & Southern focuses its community involvement is cancer research. One of the ways the company supports this cause is through the Ride Cincinnati annual cycling event. In his interview with Fuller, Barrett talked about his personal connection to the event. His wife is a cancer survivor, his dad is the namesake of the Barrett Cancer Center and his brother, Dr. Bill Barrett, has run it for a number of years. Learn more in this YouTube video.
“Western & Southern is deeply committed to this community,” said Major Timothy Lyle, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army. “We do what we can to help people, and we couldn’t do it without the support of Western & Southern.”
