Charities and champions: the year in review 2009

What a year it was. Oil pricing has undergone a significant decrease since the record peak it reached in July 2008. On December 23, 2008, WTI crude oil spot price fell to US$30.28 a barrel, the lowest since the global financial crisis began, and has been trading between US$35 a barrel and US$79 a barrel in 2009.

In the midst of the crisis, companies still recognized the struggles of others and found ways to contribute, despite the rough year.

The year started off with the contributions of Randall Stilley, CEO of Pride International's Mat-Supported Jackup Business. Stilley's desire to help children and advance the arts led him to serve on the boards of Boys & Girls Country of Houston and Theatre Under the Stars.

Enriching the lives of children is a worthy cause supported by many organizations.

When Statoil came to Houston in 2008, so too, did Houston's first professional soccer team, the Houston Dynamo. The company signed a sponsorship deal with the team focusing on the professional soccer team's player development and youth programs.

Weaver and Tidwell, now simply named Weaver, chose Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) as its Charity of Choice for fiscal year 2008-09 and donated $60,000 to the organization. Company volunteers aided in local RIF book distributions at schools in Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth.

The theme continued with San Antonio-based BlackBrush Oil & Gas LLP. Despite selling 70% of its producing properties to pay off bank debt, the privately-held company held true to its philanthropic efforts. The company's MZ Foundation contined to raise money for scholarships.

Education was a part of Deloitte's philanthropy as well. The company conducted workshops for high school students with sessions on budgeting, ethics, job shadowing, and more. Additionally, the company held workshops for non-profit workers. The goal was to provide insights on how could take control, adapt, and move beyond the economic crisis.

Also recognizing the growing economic hardships, Dominion Resources refocused its corporate giving on basic human necessities. The Dominion Foundation granted $1 million to free medical clinics in Virginia and the 13 other states where it does business.

Continuing the healthcare contributions is Rogue Pressure Services. The company recently commissioned a hot pink drilling rig with a portion of the proceeds from the rig's use to be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Also helping support basic human necessities this year was WellPoint Systems. The company's Road Warriors program began with employees on the road. Hotel-sized shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. are collected from business travels and donated to the Denver Rescue Mission in downtown Denver.

Other companies contributed to the community in other ways.

In 2008, ExxonMobil contributed $75,000 to Houston's Alley Theatre in hopes of attracting and engaging the non-traditional, underserved Houstonians/audiences by offering them a chance to attend the theatre at a discounted rate.

On April 27, Apache Corp. celebrated planting 1 million trees that have improved wildlife habitats, restored storm damage, and enhanced cities and neighborhoods in 14 states. Continuing the beautification trend this year was Houston-based AMEC Paragon. For 12 years the company has been involved in Rebuilding Together Houston (RTH), an initiative that provides home repair services for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners in Houston.

Companies across the sector were affected by the precipitous drop in oil prices throughout 2009. Despite the hard times, companies continued to give. Once again, I thank you for your continued contributions to this column, and to the communities in which you serve. I look forward to 2010.