All Entries Tagged With: "philanthropy"
How to Raise 11,000 lbs. of Canned Goods in a Single Week
2009 was a tumultuous year for many businesses but for Regency Cigar in East Greenwich, prosperity continued. However, the thought of thriving while many others were struggling did not feel quite right for owner Michael Correia who came from a less affluent home. So, he decided to act upon his instinct to give back to the community using the same successful formula that he uses in day-to-day business. In 2009, Regency donated 876 lbs. of canned goods to the Rhode Island Food Bank. In 2015, they became the largest private donor of canned goods by raising 11,067 lbs. in a single week! Their formula for success is clearly something for every business to model when thinking about giving back.
In order to launch a successful campaign regardless of whether or not it is for-profit or not-for-profit, you must approach it in the same manner, “If you focus strongly on being successful at something, you will find success,” says Mike. Mike explained the philosophy behind treating the food drive as if it was a profitable campaign. He went into saying that placing a box in the corner and hoping that people will fill the box is a kind act with selfless intentions but often times there needs to be some energy behind the intention to actually get that box filled.
The process requires a two part component, first he rallies his team. Creating a standard beyond measure for his employees has trickled down to finding continued success in both business and in their efforts to raising 11,000 lbs. of food. Next, he and his team rally their most loyal and generous customers. What first began as a simple food drive to help has turned into a head-to-head competition. One customer will bring in 500 lbs. of pasta while another customer is challenged to donate 500 lbs. of sauce — and so it continues. The drive is held during the busiest month of the year for most small businesses; while others are focused on driving sales, Regency’s team is focused on giving back.
While the initial thought to entice others to donate by offering a single cigar for every two canned goods donated has turned into a single cigar for four canned goods donated. Most of their customers generously do not accept a thing.
Last year, storage for the food drive was the most difficult aspect of the week long food drive. Fortunately, this past year Regency has expanded their cigar shop into a newly designed cigar bar equipped with fine whiskeys, wines and malt scotches to accompany their high-end selection of cigars and exclusive events.
Additionally, the plan is to incorporate their own aging humidor. The new expansion will leave more space for future food drives and more customers to take part. But as the company continues to grow in more ways, the food drive remains the most talked about event of the year.
Attorney Rob Levine Makes Bail!
$37,000 Raised for Local MDA Chapter at Executive Lock Up
Attorney Rob Levine makes bail for the MDA!
Select business leaders, appropriately nicknamed “Honorary Jailbird,”’ served a voluntary 60-minute sentence at Legal Sea Foods to raise funds for MDA. Between enjoying a delicious lunch and networking with other participants, MDA Jailbirds called friends and family to bail them out of jail. The $37,000 that was raised at Wednesday’s Lock Up will help fund MDA’s clinic at Rhode Island Hospital, summer camp tuition, essential equipment repairs, support groups and worldwide research.
Among those who participated was Attorney Rob Levine, the infamous ‘Heavy Hitter’, who raised more than $10,000 and became Rhode Island’s top raising Honorary Jailbird ever! An incredible achievement that “could not have been accomplished without the help of all the dedicated and giving friends, vendors, and employees who I have been so fortunate to surround myself with,” says Levine, “thank you to everyone for all of your support and help.”
Attorney Levine’s commitment to his community began at the age of 16 when he joined the local emergency response team as a medical technician. Levine later served in the Rhode Island National Guard as a military police officer and continued on to join the Central Falls Police Department. Working as a public servant inspired Levine to pursue a career in law. “I became a lawyer so that I could have an impact on the community in a more global sense, and reach more people suffering from injuries and disabilities,” he says.
While proud to have made history for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Rhode Island, Levine humbly insists, “Every dollar raised- by every person- for MDA makes a difference.”
MDA runs more than 80 summer camps across the nation, giving children with muscle disease the opportunity to experience a week without barriers. “We’re very happy and very proud,” says Traci Fulford, of Ocean State Behavioral, “to have supported these wonderful kids in their quest to go to camp.”
MDA is the world’s leading nonprofit health organization sponsoring research seeking the causes of and effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases. MDA research grants currently are supporting more than 250 projects worldwide. MDA covers 43 diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
