Last week, Cummings Properties distributed $253,000 to local nonprofits, including the Westford K-9 Project. The donations were made in honor of the commercial real estate firm’s full-time staff members, who were each invited, through the Employee Directed Giving program, to select a charity to receive $1,000.
In an effort to support local communities, the program guidelines state that selected organizations must be based and provide services in or near colleagues’ hometowns. Several charities received more than one check, thanks to multiple employee nominations. The maximum allowed for any one organization is $5,000.
Eric Anderson, Cummings Properties’ executive vice president and a seven-year Westford resident, had recently read about Westford Police Department’s efforts to raise funds for a K-9 video camera.
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“Our family is very appreciative of all the Westford Police Department does – and we like dogs, too,” said Anderson, who made the decision jointly with his wife, Kari, and two children. “Having seen how close it was to reaching its goal for the new K-9 equipment, we wanted to help.”
With Cummings Properties’ donation, the Department has raised $13,391 toward9 its $15,000 goal. The $1,000 check was delivered by Anderson’s 3-year-old son, Caden, and friend and fellow Westford resident Nick Vidoli, 5.
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Employee Directed Giving is open to all full-time staff within any Cummings entity, including the firm’s affiliated New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn. The program will be held again in November, in conjunction with the Thanksgiving season, and then each November thereafter.
“Engaging our colleagues in Cummings Properties’ philanthropy has been a win-win situation,” said president and CEO Dennis Clarke. “The funds are benefiting a wide range of worthy local nonprofits, and employees and their families are becoming even more involved in their communities.”
Founded in 1970, Cummings Properties has a portfolio of 10 million square feet of commercial space in 10 suburban Boston communities. More information about its Employee Directed Giving program, including a complete list of recipient organizations is available at www.cummingsproperties.com/employee_directed_giving.htm.
