Tyco Chairman and CEO Ed Breen (left) with the night's other honorees: George Reilly, Reverend Damian McElroy, Judy Persichilli, David Heskin, and Father Eugene Vavrick.

Each year, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton bestows its Corporate Citizen of the Year award to an organization that best exemplifies excellence in corporate and community relations. Tyco International received the 2008 award for its commitment to serving the homeless in Mercer County, New Jersey, as well as for its continued support of a wide range of local charitable organizations.

Ed Breen, Tyco Chairman and CEO accepted the award on behalf of Tyco at the Catholic Charities 19th annual Guardian Angel Dinner Dance, held on September 26, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Princeton, NJ. The annual gala is the organization’s most important fundraiser and is critical to providing services to those most vulnerable in local communities.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this prestigious award," said Breen. "It is a privilege for us to work with Catholic Charities to support programs that help families in need in Mercer County. We salute Catholic Charities for its ongoing commitment to the community and hope that our involvement positively impacts organizations and individuals.”

Over the past four years, Tyco has awarded Catholic Charities more than $60,000 in grants to support programs at Mercer Emergency and Community Services – programs that provide financial assistance and other resources to help families move from transitional to permanent housing.

Tyco’s support for the homeless in Mercer County also includes the Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness, a leadership consortium dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness. Tyco has served as the alliance’s lead sponsor since it was founded in 2004.