First Tennessee Foundation

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

June 2, 2010

The First Tennessee Foundation recently spread good fortune across its namesake state with grants totaling more than $80,000 to 95 nonprofit groups through the foundation's Leadership Grants program. Memphis area organizations received $33,500.

The Leadership Grants program also encourages bank employees to serve on the boards of nonprofit groups and offers amounts of $500 to board members and $1,000 to board officers to be contributed to the nonprofit organizations of their choice.

In 2009, 72 First Tennessee employees participated in board service.

"If you went around our state and looked at the market presence in each of our major markets, for the most part they (employees) have been chairpersons of United Way, the chambers and involved with the universities," said Charles Burkett, president of banking with First Tennessee ... (read more)

Health partnership sights poor

Spot business news for The Commercial Appeal

May 22, 2010

Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corp. kicked off its partnership with one of America's leading vision benefits companies, Davis Vision of Plainview, N.Y., to provide eye screenings to the homeless and underserved of Memphis.

"The Focus on America program targets children and adults underinsured or not insured at all," said Laura Dyer of Davis Vision. "This is not a one-time thing. This is the kickoff of a partnership that will provide glasses on a monthly basis."

Those who failed eye exams were either given vouchers for reduced-cost eyeglasses from any local retailers who work with Davis Vision, or free glasses in cases of homelessness. An average pair of glasses, according to George Yanoshik Jr. of Davis Vision, is $293.

"If you can't see, it's hard to fill out a job application or find your way out in the community," said Baptist Memorial Healthcare president and CEO Stephen Reynolds ... (read more)

Boys & Girls Clubs investing in children

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

May 10, 2010

Service Assurance, a Memphis-based information technology support and outsourcing company for the region, has teamed up with Monogram Food Solutions, maker of King Cotton products, to donate $7,500 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

"This was our first engagement with Monogram so we thought what a great way to start a relationship by giving all the revenue back to the community," said Mark Giannini, founder and CEO of Service Assurance. "Monogram's values are very much in line with ours in that they love supporting the community, and they love children and nonprofits that help children.

"It was the absolute perfect way to start what we both hope is going to be a long-term business relationship."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis was founded in 1955 and serves more than 5,000 youths between the ages of six and 18 through academic and recreational programs. The local Boys & Girls Clubs operates six full-service clubs, a technical training center and Camp Phoenix.

"Service Assurance and Monogram Foods made an investment," said Vincent Borello, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. "They didn't really make a donation because in the long run these are the kids that are going to be working in the facilities, these are the families that are going to be buying their products, the families that make up our city." ... (read more)

Lexus nexus: Car dealer opens its showroom for nonprofits' special events

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

March 19, 2010

Instead of a flower arrangement or ice sculpture at your next fundraiser, imagine a sleek black Lexus LS10 as the focal point.

Lexus of Memphis has been offering its two showrooms, with a total of 10,000 square feet of black marble tile and blond wood, located at 2600 Ridgeway Road for area nonprofits to host parties, banquets and galas.

"It's been an opportunity for us to do something that is an easy thing for us to do in the store," said Bryan Smith, general sales manager of Lexus of Memphis. "It's low cost to us, but can be a real benefit to the organizations that we partner with."

The building, in East Memphis just off Bill Morris Parkway on Ridgeway, making it easily accessible from all over town, was built six years ago for $12 million. In addition to the high end look of the tiling and wood interior, the space is well-lit and doors can be flung open in nice weather for guests to spill out onto a makeshift patio. There is a kitchen in the back for catering ... (read more)

The Palladio Group fundraiser aids Mid-South Food Bank

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

February 19, 2010

The Palladio Group, a collection of nine entities representing art galleries, showrooms and antique shops in six buildings in Cooper-Young, recently donated $1,500 to the Mid-South Food Bank, a sum that equates to more than 3,500 meals.

"Traditionally at year-end we have done a customer appreciation where we pay the tax or hold an event, and it was nice, but we thought we could include someone else," said Frank Roberts who, along with his wife, Mindy, owns The Palladio Group.

The fundraiser took place the last week of December and first week of January, a time that is notoriously quiet for nonprofits.

"The food bank is a worthwhile organization in our community and we thought it a particularly good time," Roberts said ... (read more)

Corporate Giving: Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

February 12, 2010

Porter-Leath, the 160-year-old resource for at-risk families in Memphis, recently received a $5,000 donation from the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation. The money was donated through the bank's newest branch at 42 S. Claybrook.

"Porter-Leath does such a good job at servicing at-risk families in our community and battling infant mortality in Memphis," said Tom Patronis, Memphis market president for Wachovia. "They're very important to us and a particular passion of mine."

The contribution will go to directly toward Cornerstone, Porter-Leath's early childhood home visitation program. The program sends AmeriCorps workers into the homes of new and soon-to-be mothers.

"They work with them (mothers) throughout pregnancy to help reach a healthy birth weight of 5.5 pounds, which we do 93.4 percent of the time," said Mike Warr, vice president of development for Porter-Leath. Effectiveness is monitored by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center ... (read more)

Le Bonheur Teen Council/Madison Hotel

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

December 11, 2009

The Teen Advisory Board for Le Bonheur Children's Hospital spent a recent evening painting ornaments for the Christmas tree at the Madison Hotel.

The advisory board is a panel of current and past patients, their siblings and some teens who have no connection to Le Bonheur, to help guide the hospital on the wants and needs of the hospital's patients.

"We want them to have as much ownership in this as possible, we want them to be able to say 'This is what we think is important,'" said Thomas Hobson, director of Childlife Services.

Childlife Services is a clinical program that uses play to help children adjust to the hospital setting. The Teen Advisory Board is facilitated by Childlife Services ... (read more)

Buckley's Fine Filet Grill and U.S. Foodservice

Corporate giving profile for The Commercial Appeal

Buckley's Fine Filet Grill, U.S. Foodservice and the Ronald McDonald House

November 20, 2009

Buckley's Fine Filet Grill, partnering with food distributor U.S. Foodservice, recently visited the Ronald McDonald House to help stock the kitchen and pantry.

"I read a story in the paper that the pantry was low, and we said 'let's just go fill it up,' " said Ken Dick, who founded the restaurant in 1993 with Jeff Fioranelli, his friend since the eighth grade.

U.S. Foodservice president Joe Campbell and vice president of sales Jimmy Cull see the donation as an extension of the work they already do with St. Jude, Grizzlies House and Target House.

"Jeff and Ken are good friends and good customers, and when they asked us to get involved, we said 'absolutely,' " Cull said. "Joe Campbell gave us the OK to do whatever we have to do to help the patients of St. Jude. Even in tough times we have not backed off from helping St. Jude." ... (read more)

Tops Bar-B-Q: Cue the Caring

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

September 4, 2009

Tops Bar-B-Q sold hearts for a dollar to benefit the Le Bonheur Foundation, the fundraising arm of Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center.

The 14 area locations spent six weeks raising money, with the culmination being the FM-100 radiothon for the hospital that took place last week.

In addition to raising money, they also provided food for participants in the radiothon.

Tops owner George Messick "is very happy and proud to lend a helping hand to people who need it," said Tops spokeswoman Amy Laughlin. "Tops has raised around $4,500 so far." ... (read more)

Student volunteer program exposes hospital to diversity

Cultural exchange at Le Bonheur

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

August 21, 2009

A group of immigrant students from Central High School and the City University School of Liberal Arts charter school worked as cross-culture volunteers at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare last year.

About 60 students are expected to enroll in the program this school year.

"The volunteers come after school twice a week for two hours and learn the clinical side of the hospital, teaching, nursing, administration," said Johnekia Catron, manager of volunteer services for Methodist Le Bonheur. "They shadow paramedics in the emergency room and work in same-day surgery."... (read more)

Make A Splash swimming program borne of tragedies and statistics

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

August 7, 2009

In the summer of 2007, two teens drowned while swimming in public pools in Memphis. From the tragedy sprang the Make A Splash Mid-South program through Safe Kids Mid-South at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center.

The goals of the program, according to Susan Helms, Le Bonheur's director of injury prevention, are to offer swimming lessons to those who otherwise couldn't afford it, enhance lifeguard training and inject diversity into swim meets.

"The community was outraged by the drownings, and it was the perfect time for the two, Safe Kids and Le Bonheur, to work together," Helms said ... (read more)

The art of giving

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

July 24, 2009

The artists at House of Ink tattoo parlor on Frayser Boulevard are collecting backpacks, uniforms and supplies for school children to use this fall. Each customer who brings donations to the business from Aug. 4-6, will get a $30 credit toward a tattoo.

House of Ink, which opened three years ago, organized a Toys for Tatts drive last Christmas and brought in more than $5,000 worth of toys for Horton Gardens public housing residents. In 2007, they adopted a family for Thanksgiving and Christmas ... (read more)

Lokion donating skills

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

July 17, 2009

Lokion is a full-service online consultant with clients that include FedEx, Viking Range, Smith & Nephew and First Tennessee. The company is also in the business of being a good corporate citizen.

"Nobody lives a disconnected life," says Lokion CEO and president Megan Jones. "We're in a community and, as part of that community, we employ people and deal with clients from that community. We need to be a part of that as best we can with our particular skill set."

Lokion has donated its skills to the National Ornamental Metal Museum, which now has a new Web site ... (read more)

Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

July 10, 2009

The Levitt Shell at Overton Park, a free outdoor venue hosting live music shows, concluded its second spring season with nearly double its fall attendance.

"The season was great," said Anne Pitts, Levitt Shell executive director, citing attendance figures of 34,000, up from the fall season numbers of 20,000.

The Shell's Web site says its mission is to "build community through music and education, finding common ground for a diverse audience." Pitts says much of the credit for the Shell's success at meeting its goals should go to Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects.

The architecture firm is responsible for donating $65,000 worth of renovation work prior to the venue's grand opening in spring of 2008 ... (read more)

T.O. Fuller supporters draft plans for Macy's donation

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

July 3, 2009

Macy's raised $4.1 million nationally on one day during its Earth Week campaign to benefit the National Park Foundation.

The campaign was called "Turn Over a New Leaf," and it raised funds through $5 shopping passes.

In Tennessee, Macy's stores collected $22,374 to benefit groups that protect and conserve the environment, said Melissa Goff, spokeswoman for Macy's Southeast Region.

T.O. Fuller State Park in Memphis received a donation of $11,187 from the total amount for the state.

T.O. Fuller is a 1,138-acre park within the city limits. Historically, it was the first state park east of the Mississippi open to African-Americans ... (read more)

Playhouse on the Square

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

June 26, 2009

Playhouse on the Square is presenting a sold-out performance of the hit musical "Rent" Saturday as a benefit for Hope House, the center for children and families affected by the HIV-AIDS virus.

The night is an event with the show, food and wine, and a silent auction of $15,000 worth of merchandise. Combined with the $12,000 in tickets sold, it's a substantial fundraiser for the organization whose annual budget is $1 million.

"We want to make sure we're being good corporate citizens in the community," said Playhouse associate producer Michael Detroit.

Hope House was looking for a companion piece for its Art for Hope fundraiser, which is held in November, when it called on Playhouse ... (read more)

Medtronic thinks globally

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

June 12, 2009

Medtronic's Global Volunteer Project, which was launched this month, involves its employees in 40 projects in 14 countries.

The company has about 1,400 employees in Memphis, where volunteer efforts in June included working with Dorothy's Place, one of two Alzheimer's Day Services centers, and a drive to benefit Mid-South Food Bank.

In addition to collecting canned goods at various Medtronic campuses, employees worked at sorting and stocking the food bank's pantry.

Today, Medtronic volunteers in Memphis will be sorting donated clothing and participating in sports and activities at Youth Villages.

"This program encourages employees to carry out the sixth tenet of the Medtronic mission, which is to maintain good citizenship as a company," said Victor Rocha, company spokesman in Memphis ... (read more)

Sedgwick CMS

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

June 5, 2009

The 6,400 employees of Sedgwick CMS provide claims administration, medical management and risk consulting in all 50 states and Canada. At corporate headquarters in Memphis, the 500 employees lead a grass-roots community support effort.

"As an office, we get to vote on which organizations we give to," said Kelli Reece, project coordinator for Sedgwick.

For 2009, the company's beneficiary is the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, the organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. In November, for instance, Make-A-Wish gave 15-year-old Jasmine Johnson, a musician who has suffered from AIDS since she was 2, a $6,500 shopping spree to buy recording equipment so she could make music for her father to listen to when she is gone ... (read more)

Whole lotta helpin'

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

May 29, 2009

While the culture of giving at Whole Foods grocery store may come from the store's headquarters in Austin, Texas, the beneficiaries are all local.

"It's a great philosophy," says Liza Burke, Whole Foods spokeswoman in Memphis, "because who knows better what works in your community than your community?"

Once per quarter, Whole Foods donates 5 percent of its net profit for a day to a nonprofit chosen by a vote of the store's 120 employees.

There is an application process for charities to be considered, and they are allowed to make a presentation to the employees ... (read more)

Sow we go: Organic

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

May 22, 2009

Digger O'Dell Nursery and Landscape is working with the "Drake & Zeke in the Morning" radio show and 98.1 The Max to deposit fresh, local and organically grown produce into the Mid-South Food Bank.

The Field of Greens, as it is called, is an organic garden on a half-acre of land at the corner of Farm Road and Mullins Station in Shelby Farms.

"Shelby Farms donated the land to make a demonstration classroom teaching the importance of composting and organic gardening," said Michael McPeak, who with partner William Kitchens bought the Digger O'Dell Nursery three years ago. "The area hasn't been touched in 15 or 20 years, so the land will only get better and better."

The garden is laid out like a baseball diamond with mulched walkways and smaller plots of tomato, corn, squash, melons, peppers and okra. There will be scheduled work days throughout the growing season, with volunteers and speakers on hand to teach the public about organic gardening ... (read more)