Choosing to give to a for-impact organization—whether you’re an individual, a family, or a corporation—is a personal act. “We know that the heart of why people give is to help organizations whose missions they are passionate about,” said Chris Riker, Vice President of Advancement & Donor Services. “One person’s reason for giving may vary greatly from another’s, but they all feel that same philanthropic desire.”
A local business recently took that desire one step further.
Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Grand Haven, JSJ Corporation has always been a compassionate supporter of local organizations. A growth-firm with design, engineering, manufacturing, and distribution businesses in communities throughout the world, JSJ has proven over its hundred-year history it they are dedicated to supporting our community.
“Giving back to our local communities is one of our core values at JSJ. Our leadership and employees all share that mission—and it’s been that way since the early days of JSJ.” —Erick Johnson, Executive Vice President
As part of their one-hundredth-anniversary celebration, the leadership at JSJ turned to their employees to choose who received their gifts as a way to honor their legacy of community giving. “It’s incredibly important to us that we’ve had the good fortune to be able to give back to the communities where we live and work,” said Johnson. “We look forward to continuing to support these amazing organizations as they work to make our communities better places to live.”
Ellyse Lazarock, Customer Service Supervisor at Dake Corporation, was part of the group who recommended a grant to the Little Red House in Spring Lake. “This event was awe-inspiring and made me proud to be part of the JSJ family. I’ve always been a part of charitable and volunteer organizations, and it was moving to see so many different organizations come together.”
JSJ businesses and their nonprofit beneficiaries include the following:
- JSJ is donating to TCM Counseling, Grand Haven Public Safety, Salvation Army of Grand Haven, Children’s Advocacy Center – Holland, and All Shores Wesleyan Church – Feed America Ministry.
- Dake is donating to the Little Red House of Spring Lake, Mich., which provides adult day care services to community members who are struggling with physical, cognitive and psychosocial limitations.
- GHSP is donating to Hand to Hand, Camp Blodgett, Muskegon Oceana Community Action Partnership, and Love INC. of Oceana County.
- Hudson Technologies is donating to ME STRONG, a non-profit organization aiming to help Central Floridians who are battling cancer.
“When JSJ asked us to come up with an organization to receive funds, it was not hard for me to do,” said Roxanna Yager, Accounting Associate at JSJ. “TCM has helped so many and it felt so good to have the opportunity to give back. I am honored to work for a company that wants to help out.”
If you’d like to know more about opening a donor or corporate advised fund, contact Chris Riker, VP of Advancement & Donor Services, at criker@ghacf.org.
Photos courtesy of Matt DeYoung at the Grand Haven Tribune.