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Woburn charities to receive $18,000 in Thanksgiving grants
Some of the Cummings Properties who participated in the program are (left to right): Back row: Erving Rodriguez, Bob Heffernan, Tom Mulcare, Martin Nelson, Derek Russell, Justin Magee, and Dennis Clark. Middle row: Erica Wright, Diane Metcalf. Seated: George Holland, Joel Swets, Laurie Glasser, and Greg Ahearn.
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WOBURN, November 21, 2012 – Given its close affiliation with Cummings Foundation, Cummings Properties is no stranger to philanthropy. The commercial real estate firm is taking an unusual approach to giving this holiday season, however, by asking its longtime staff members to select local charities that will collectively receive $111,000 in donations. Woburn not-for-profits will benefit from a total of $18,000—more than organizations in any other single community.
Through the new Staff Giving on Thanksgiving program, employees with 10 or more years of seniority with the Cummings organization were each invited to choose a locally based not-for-profit to receive a $1,000 donation.
Erica Wright, Cummings Properties leasing manager and a Woburn native, recommended the Tanner Ta Ta Foundation.
Wright stated, “I was thrilled for the opportunity to recommend this fairly new organization. It provides support to women and families after a breast cancer diagnosis, which is when they need it the most.”
Ten other Woburn-based organizations were recommended: Boys & Girls Club of Woburn, Council of Social Concern, Friends of Woburn Veterans, Kids Be Aware, Social Capital Inc., VNA Hospice Care, Woburn Feral Cat Coalition, Woburn Host Lions Club, Woburn Public Library, and Woburn Youth Hockey. Some of these charities will receive $2,000 or $3,000, thanks to multiple nominations.
Another Woburn native, George Holland, selected the Boys & Girls Club, noting, “It is very close to me personally.”
With 37 years of tenure, Holland is the firm’s longest standing staff member.
Cummings Properties president and CEO Dennis Clarke said, “Cummings Properties has always been extremely active in local philanthropy. This year, the Company is delighted to do something extra special by involving more than 100 staff members in this new donation program. It is truly our pleasure to support such deserving local charities during the holiday season, especially knowing that they are so meaningful to our most senior colleagues.”
Cummings Properties will distribute the donations during the week of Thanksgiving.
Erin Ficociello
6:06 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
On behalf of the Tanner Ta Ta Foundation, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to Ms. Wright for choosing our organization for her donation, and to Mr. Cummings, Mr Clarke, and everyone at Cummings Properties for their continued philanthropic work. It is an honor to be recognized in this way from such a respected organization.
We will use your generous donation to further our own mission of supporting Woburn-area women following a diagnosis of breast cancer. This support may take many forms: meals sent to women and their families during chemotherapy, gas cards or parking vouchers for women having daily radiation treatments, flowers sent to brighten a hospital room, books that our survivors have read and recommend to "newbies," gift baskets and other pick-me-ups. Our organization also supports funding for research into the causes and treatments for breast cancer by sponsoring walkers in the Boston Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
Our work is only possible because of the support of our community, and we are incredibly grateful for this recent donation.
Erin Ficociello
Co-founder and President, Tanner Ta Ta Foundation, Inc.
Cummings Properties
10:41 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
You are very welcome! Cummings Properties is glad to be in a position to support volunteer-driven organizations like yours that provide such important services to the community. We wish the Tanner Ta Ta Foundation all the best this holiday season and in the new year.