Last week, Cummings Properties distributed $253,000 to local nonprofits, including $23,000 to Woburn-based organizations. 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.
Woburn recipients of the cash awards are: Boys & Girls Club of Woburn, Friends of Woburn Veterans, Joyce Middle School, NuPath, Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Supportive Living Inc., Tanner Ta Ta Foundation, Woburn Breakfast Lions Club, Woburn Council of Social Concern, Woburn Guild of Artists, Woburn Historical Society, Woburn Little League, Woburn Public Library, Woburn Recreation Department, and Woburn Youth Hockey.
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.
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A popular choice, Woburn Little League was designated by three employees, including Woburn resident Eric Sanderson, who has been involved as a coach and volunteer for six years. He noted that his two older sons have played in the league and his 20-month-old son will likely follow in their footsteps.
Sanderson, a plumber and team leader at Cummings Properties, said, “Knowing the organization and its leadership as well as we do, we feel very good that these funds will go to improvements that will really make a difference for the league and the kids.”
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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.”
Cummings Properties has been based in Woburn since its founding in 1970. The firm operates 10 million square feet of commercial real estate, including Cummings Park on Washington Street and the landmark TradeCenter 128 business campus, both in Woburn. More than 50 of its staff members reside in Woburn.
More information about Employee Directed Giving, including a complete list of recipient organizations, is available at www.cummingsproperties.com/employee_directed_giving.htm.
