Navarro recognized for community involvement

MIAMI — Recognized for its commitment to the community, Navarro Discount Pharmacies won the Top 100 Minority Business Award for large-company community involvement from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.

Navarro received the award during a special luncheon honoring other minority-owned businesses at Jungle Island in Miami on March 24.

"As a community pharmacy serving Hispanics, it is very important for us to participate in activities and organizations in all of the neighborhoods where we do business," stated Steve Kaczynski, Navarro CEO. "We are grateful to the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce for recognizing our efforts in the Hispanic community."

In the past year, Navarro has participated in more than 250 community events. Focused on wellness and families, Navarro created Wellness Wednesdays, which offer free in-store vascular and diabetes health screenings, smoking-cessation classes, a pediatric window for working parents and free prescription delivery.

Navarro also contributes to a variety of causes and local organizations through in-store collections and, in some cases, has contributed with matching collections. To date, Navarro has collected and donated tens of thousands of dollars to a variety of local charities in the community, including the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, Amigos for Kids, Centro Mater, the American Diabetes Association, CAMACOL, Dade County Public Schools, Project Vacant Streets, Chile earthquake relief and Haiti earthquake relief.

The Miami-based company was founded in Havana, Cuba, in 1940, and opened its first U.S. location in 1961. There currently are 28 existing store locations, plus three under construction.