How local businesses give back
October 18th, 2009 | By: Christie Santodomingo
Small Treads for Kids of Issaquah - Photo by Desiree Swanson
We live in a very generous community where, even in tough economic times, local businesses make giving back simply part of doing business. In this article, we highlight a few of the many businesses in Issaquah and Sammamish that give resources and money to charity on a regular basis and in ways that make a difference.
There is not enough space to recognize every business committed to giving back, nor enough space to recognize every effort the following businesses make. In light of the coming holiday season, however, we hope this short look at the ways local businesses use their resources and talents to help make Issaquah and Sammamish strong communities, especially in tough economic times is inspiring and motivating.
1. Rowley Properties, headquartered in Issaquah, is committed to family and community values. Since 1993, Rowley Properties has supported Eastside Baby Corner (EBC) by providing over 4,500 square feet of warehouse space to the local charity rent-free. EBC uses the warehouse as its center for collecting and distributing donated clothing, toys, diapers, and other supplies for children from birth to age 12. Over $4.3 million in value of items is distributed to more than 160 family assistance providers throughout East King County. Kari Magill, CEO of Rowley Properties, explains the importance for businesses to support their communities: “A healthy community is a strong community. When businesses give back above and beyond what they already do, they are enabling quality of life.” To find out how you can help support Eastside Baby Corner, please go to www.babycorner.org.
2. Small Threads for Kids of Issaquah, is a strong supporter of EBC by donating children’s clothing, books, toys and equipment. As a consignment store, Small Threads for Kids receives thousands of items monthly from consignors. Any items that are not sold may be picked up by the consignor or donated to EBC. This process results in the donation of several hundred to several thousand items each week. Dixie Bair, owner, believes that by working together, Small Threads for Kids and consignors will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of children. “It is our responsibility to pass on what we can,” she said. “Supporting Small Threads supports our cause and vision: to make a difference.” To learn more about EBC’s most needed items, please go to their web site listed above.
3. Trader Joe’s of Issaquah donates more food to the Issaquah Food Bank than any other area store. Considering Trader Joe’s is so much smaller in size than the other big box grocery stores, many readers might find this surprising. Nonetheless, the Issaquah Food Bank picks up fresh produce, cheese, bread, meat and even flowers from Issaquah’s Trader Joe’s to sort and distribute at the Food Bank five days a week. According to Alison Mochizuki, Trader Joe’s Director of National Publicity, “We consider ourselves the neighborhood store, so we love being part of the community and feel it is important to give back and get involved.” On a national level, Trader Joe’s has donated to local food banks and charitable organizations for nearly 30 years. To find out how you can support the Issaquah Food Bank, please go to: issaquahfoodbank.org.
4. Minuteman Press of Issaquah gives thousands of dollars worth of product and services to the Issaquah Food Bank each year. “Minuteman Press is wonderful,” says Cheri Meier, director of the Issaquah Food Bank. “They save us a lot of money so we can use it for food.” Minuteman Press donates all printing and marketing materials, including flyers, letterhead, envelopes, receipt books, and newsletters. In addition to donating printing services and supplies, Minuteman Press encourages its employees to volunteer at charity organizations by paying for up to forty hours a year of volunteer time during business hours. Why would a business want to support its employees in this way? According to owner Mike Immel, “Businesses should make this a benefit to employees. Often employees can’t afford to give. If you make them part of the giving by volunteering or approving them to donate marketing material, they feel good. A win/win for them and the boss.” For more information on how you can volunteer at the Issaquah Food Bank, go to their web site listed above.
5. Columbia Athletic Clubs, locally owned since 1985, for the past three years has formed a team of riders for the annual Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Bike Ride, a 50-mile trip around Skagit County. MS is a disabling disease of the central nervous system that can typically strike those between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. Finding a cure is near and dear to the heart of Columbia Athletic Club’s President, Allen Oskoui, whose mother was diagnosed with MS in 2002. This year, the team made up of staff, members, and friends from their Sammamish, Juanita Bay and Silver Lake locations raised more than $55,000. This amount was combined with Columbia Athletic Club’s contribution of $30,000 to help find a cure. To find out more about this amazing bike ride, please go to www.columbiaathletic.com/ms_bikeride08.
6. Plateau Jewelers of Sammamish, since 2002 has designed and created a jewelry item for the March of Dimes Annual Auction. March of Dimes is an organization whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. This mission is carried out through research, community services, education and advocacy to save the lives of babies. Plateau Jewelers owners Kelly and Sue Jensen advise community members to get involved with a charity. “I think many people feel like they can’t give enough to make a difference,” Kelly said. “But, $100 loaned through Kiva.org or other charity like March of Dimes can make a huge difference. Plus, it feels good!” To learn more about Plateau Jewelers philanthropy and March of Dimes, please go to www.plateaujewelers.com/philanthropy.
7. Cascade Bank, with branches in Issaquah and Sammamish, has given thousands of dollars to the Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH), since 2005. Kacee Gradl, Marketing Director for Cascade Bank, says that the bank “is pleased to help organizations like FISH, which work to educate, maintain and preserve the unique environment that we all share. Important partnerships like this are the key to playing an active role in promoting our shared communities, which is what Cascade Bank is all about.” Cascade Bank has been an ‘ohfishal corporate spawnsor’ of Salmon Days since 2005. To learn more about FISH and how you can help, please visit www.issaquahfish.org.
8. Issaquah Press, “Issaquah’s oldest business,” founded in 1900, is paramount in creating the sense of community we all feel here in Issaquah. For nearly 30 years, The Press has been the only fundraiser for Issaquah Church and Community Services (ICCS), a non-profit that provides emergency assistance for families who need help with rent, utilities, and medicine. The Press publicizes the Merry Christmas Issaquah fund drive each year for about two months. That publicity encourages readers to send donations to The Press, which donates all funds to ICCS for disbursement by volunteers. To date, The Press has raised more than $600,000 for ICCS. Press Publisher Debbie Berto explains, “We aren’t in this business to get rich. It’s all about our passion for the community.” The Press exhibits this passion in each issue and in the many ways the Press gives back, including sharing subscription revenue with Issaquah School District’s PTAs, the Summer Book Drive to collect books for local children in need, and offering reduced advertising rates for fundraisers.
9. Issaquah and Sammamish Reporter began a special partnership with local Earth Day events this year. The advertising department put together a section for Earth Day where a portion of each advertiser’s contribution was given back to the community, providing lunch for the volunteer crews at local clean up events. With every issue of the Reporter, fundraisers are publicized and articles are written to gather support, donations and volunteers where needed. When the Issaquah Food Bank or the Eastside Baby Corner needs to generate donations and volunteers, they do it through the community newspapers. Each week The Reporter provides free publicity to dozens of groups that could otherwise not afford to pay to spread their message.
10. Port Blakely Communities, in the Issaquah Highlands, sponsors the annual Issaquah Highlands Green Halloween event in benefit of Northwest Harvest. The Green Halloween Festival is a community event for families and people of all ages. The goal of Green Halloween is to offer a family-friendly event that emphasizes fun community activities (versus candy and junk food). The event strives to minimize waste and impact to the planet while promoting people- and earth-friendly alternatives. Green Halloween supports Northwest Harvest, a hunger relief agency that provides food to 300 food banks, hot meal programs and elementary schools across Washington. At the 2008 Green Halloween event, 1,549 pounds of food were collected for Northwest Harvest. Port Blakely Communities has a long tradition of supporting and enriching the communities where it does business. Green Halloween promotes volunteerism and community involvement, and brings diverse members of the Issaquah Highlands community together while supporting a cause that helps the broader community. For more information about Northwest Harvest, go to www.northwestharvest.org.
