Charity & Community Award 2017: General Cigar Company Inc.

Each year with its Cigar Trophy Awards, Cigar Journal honors the great knowledge, dedication and hard work of those working in the cigar industry. Deciding which cigars, accessories and lounges should be acclaimed the best of the year, however, does not fall to a jury, but to the most important actors in the branch, the consumers.

The award winners were determined in a two-stage process. During the nomination phase, the public selected possible candidates in the various categories. The resulting shortlist was then voted on. We are delighted about the continued strong growth of our readers’ interest in participating in this decision-making process.

Four categories of the 17th Cigar Trophy Awards were not voted on by the public: Charity & Community, Ambassador, Outstanding Art, as well as the Lifetime Achievement award, the distinction for life’s work.

Charity & Community 2017: General Cigar Company Inc.

In a decision made by the jury, the distinction for extraordinary socially responsible and charitable accomplishments this year went to General Cigar Company, Inc. Since 1984, the business has been financing initiatives that benefit employees and their families and also the local community in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The commitment of the enterprise is entirely self-financed and without donations from third parties, and covers countless different projects.

Special focus is placed on the field of education through campaigns to combat illiteracy, supporting local schools, and financing the education of staff members, as well as providing medical care, and implementing a reforestation program. Other initiatives focus on aspects of daily life such as free transport to the workplace, selling groceries below market price, and issuing interest-free loans.

Cigar Trophy Awards 2017

Follow this link for more information about the 2017 Cigar Trophy Awards.