Movers & Shakers May 21, 2010
Businesses make large donations
United Way and the Muscular Dystrophy Association were recipients of large contributions from regional businesses this year.
Wells Fargo became the largest employee campaign in the entire U.S., based on 2009 campaign results and rankings recently finalized by United Way Worldwide. Wells Fargo team members pledged a record $41.9 million through their annual Community Support and United Way Campaign - a 21 percent increase over the 2008 combined Wells Fargo and Wachovia campaigns. Combined with corporate gifts, this totaled more than $60 million, which will be used in part to help United Way meet national goals to increase the number of students who graduate, help more families become financially stable, and increase the number of healthy youth and adults.
"This year, Wells Fargo became the largest employee campaign in the entire U.S.," said United Way Worldwide Executive Vice President Atul Tandon. "Wells Fargo and its team members increased not only their giving, but also volunteered more than one million hours. This momentous accomplishment demonstrates Wells Fargo's corporate citizenship and its employees' incredible generosity and commitment to helping others."
Additionally, more than 32,000 Wells Fargo team members volunteered 1.23 million hours in 2009, providing financial literacy classes, free tax preparation and much more. In March, United Way recognized Wells Fargo with a Summit Award for exceptional volunteerism as a testament to the company and its employees' ongoing commitment to communities. The company also gave $202 million in grants to support other nonprofits.
"During these difficult economic times, it's more important now than ever for companies and their team members to give back to their communities to help create economic growth and prosperity," said Jon R. Campbell, executive vice president, social responsibility group at Wells Fargo. "I continue to be amazed by the incredible dedication and compassion our team shows by generously investing their time, energy and personal financial resources in our communities. That is the spirit of our culture and our vision and values."
Dutch Bros. Coffee donated more than $110,000 to the MDA following its annual company-wide fundraiser, MDA Day. Held April 30, Dutch Bros. hosts MDA Day in honor of company co-founder Dane Boersma who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2005 and passed away in late 2009. Dutch Bros. donated more than $80,000 to the cause last year.
"MDA Day means so much to everyone at Dutch Bros., and we are so pleased for the record-breaking increase in fundraising this year," said company co-founder and Dane's younger brother, Travis Boersma. "This is one of our biggest fundraiser days of the year, and we are proud to partner with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, an incredible organization that helps so many people in our local communities. We are thankful to our amazing customers for their contributions."
"We have a great partner and supporter in Dutch Bros.," said Muscular Dystrophy Association executive director Arlene Wedsted. "The Dutch Bros. team puts forth so much energy and enthusiasm for this event each year, and we are immensely grateful for their participation in and contribution to what is a very important cause."
In addition to MDA Day, Dutch Bros. reinvests one percent of annual gross sales back into the community, donating nearly $1 million in 2009 to nonprofit organizations.
Realtors are recipients of new real estate designation
Monica Frohn and Janice Harvey of Windermere Coeur d'Alene Realty completed their required course work to earn the Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation and are among the first associates in Coeur d'Alene to do so.
If you have a new, relocated or expanded business, or announcement of events, promotions or awards, The Press wants to let our readers know. The service is free and items run Tuesday through Saturday. To get the word on the street on your movers and shakers, call city editor Bill Buley at 664-8176 Ext. 2016 or e-mail bbuley@cdapress.com.