12/24/2008 5:07:00 PM
7 nonprofits benefit from $49,844 donation
| |
|
"We're excited and very thankful for Fann Contracting's $10,614 donation because it will let us keep our shelter's doors open," said Mayra Enriquez, Stepping Stones' community outreach coordinator.
Stepping Stones, a 24-hour shelter and support resource for women and children in crisis, was one of seven nonprofit organizations in the county to share in the $49,844 Fann Contracting and its employees raised through the Fann Employees Making A Difference program.
Mike Fann, president of Fann Contracting, started the program in February 2006 as a way for his employees to give back to the community. Fann matches his employees' donations with a dollar-for-dollar match.
"I wanted to develop a companywide initiative that would be easy, fun and rewarding for our employees to participate in," Fann said. "I always knew that we have a great group of people working for us, but I'm really impressed at how enthusiastically they give - and how successful they've made this program. Our people are really stepping up to the plate."
During the past three years, Fann said with this year's contributions the program has raised nearly $120,000 for local charities.
Enriquez said this money will go to Stepping Stones' crime restitution program.
The other six nonprofits receiving contributions this year are: Catholic Charities, which provides family, marital and individual counseling and emergency aid; Northland Cares, working to improve the lives of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS virus; Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, which promotes programs to ensure that all children grow up in safe, healthy environments; United Way of Yavapai County, serving seniors and the disabled, families and youth in crisis, the homeless and the working poor; West Yavapai Guidance Clinic, Inc., a community health center providing addiction treatment for adults; and YEI!/Prescott Charities, where disabled Prescott-area adults receive job training, employment and support.
Michael Whiting, United Way of Yavapai County's executive director, said the $8,138 will go to its new funding project - Community Impact. UWYC will use this money for residents' critical needs, such as emergency housing and medical bills.
"Fann Contracting really stepped up with this donation," he said.
Cathy Peterson, Catholic Charities' regional director for Yavapai County, said Catholic Charities will use the $5,021 it received for rental eviction prevention.
"We're getting lots of people coming through the door right now. Because of the economy, so many people are in dire straits today," she said.
Yavapai Exceptional Industries Executive Director Brad Newman said, "YEI! would not exist if it weren't for Fann Contracting. Mike's been donating to us since 1981 - and his company is a customer, too. Their overall support was already amazing, but getting his employees to join him in opening up their wallets, all I can say is - wow!"
YEI! and Prescott Charities received $4,623.50 each.
"YEI's share goes to support 128 adults with disabilities who work for us. These people just want to stand shoulder to shoulder with working folks," he said.
Becky Ruffner, director of Prevent Child Abuse, agreed. "What an example the Fann employees are setting for this great community," she said. "All the company's employees can meet us and learn more about what we do. This actually helps us get the word out into the community about the services we provide and the need for ongoing support of our missions."
Fann Contracting gave Prevent Child Abuse $3,986.
Laura Norman, WYGC's director of Development & Communication, said her organization will use the $4,886 it received to support adults who finished drug treatment pay for rent.
Suzie Wagenbach, Northland Cares' interim executive director, said the $7,952 it received will most likely go to buy emergency medicine its clients need.
"When we started in February 2006, there were 18 enrollees in FEMAD within the first 60 days," said Kerri Vaughn, Fann's charitable contributions administrator. "We now have 57 employees participating, which has made FEMAD a success in 2008."
For 2009, Fann and his employees have a new goal: To get other local businesses to follow their example. "We'd be happy to show any business owner how to develop a program like ours," he said.
While not every company is the size or scope of Fann Contracting, if other businesses took this example and did something similar in terms of matching - the local nonprofit community would really get a boost, he said.
For more information, call Vaughn at 778-0170.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
