Tauck Pitches In To Clean Up

Norwalk’s Inner City Parks

NORWALK, CT (October 27, 2006) Employees from Tauck World Discovery, their family members, and local customers rolled up their sleeves today to beautify public parks in disadvantaged neighborhoods throughout Norwalk. More than 50 volunteers painted, removed debris, cleared brush, spread mulch, planted shrubs, and performed other tasks at Flax Hill Park, Bouton Park, Meadow Street Park and Fodor Farm.

The clean-up and rehabilitation effort was organized and funded by Tauck, which is headquartered in the Norden Park office building in Norwalk. Tauck is the world’s leading provider of upscale escorted tour, cruise and safari packages.

Today’s effort is the sixth annual employee event hosted by Tauck. Past volunteer efforts have focused on National Parks and National Historic Sites, but this year the company decided to focus more locally. “They say that ‘charity begins at home,’” said Tauck President/CEO Robin Tauck, “and we decided that nothing would be more appropriate or more rewarding than helping out right here in our own backyard.”

Norwalk’s mayor Richard Moccia, who addressed the Tauck group this morning at a kick-off rally in Cranbury Park, echoed Tauck’s enthusiasm. “We’re very excited to have one of Norwalk’s top companies really step up to help out our community,” said Moccia. “I’m very proud of Tauck, and I’m proud of the numerous city officials and agencies who worked closely with Tauck to make today’s event a reality.”

For Norwalk resident Nori Grudin, the volunteer event is one of the reasons she enjoys working at Tauck. “Very few companies are so committed to giving back to their local community. This is my sixth volunteer event,” said Grudin, “and I’m so glad it’s here in the city where I grew up.” The effort in Norwalk’s parks is the latest example of Tauck’s commitment to giving back through employee volunteerism. Past efforts have included events at Minute Man Historical Park in Massachusetts, Roosevelt National Historic Site and Ellis Island in New York, and Valley Forge National Historical Park in Pennsylvania.

Tauck also offers a volunteer opportunity to its guests visiting Yellowstone National Park. In four years, nearly 7,000 Tauck guests have worked over 12,000 hours on more than 100 Yellowstone projects. In May, Arthur and Robin Tauck were honored by the President at the White House with the Preserve America Presidential Award for their work in Yellowstone. The Yellowstone program has also been recognized by the U.S. Interior Department with their Take Pride In America Award.

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