Cummings Properties recently adopted a new variation to its charitable giving, inviting staff members to each select a local charity to receive a $1,000 donation. Last week, through its Employee Directed Giving program, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm distributed a total of $182,000, with a collective $5,000 awarded to Burbank YMCA, Friends of Reading Recreation, and Mission of Deeds.
The program was open to all full-time staff with one or more years of seniority at any Cummings entity, including the firm’s affiliated New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn. In an effort to support local communities, the program guidelines stated that selected organizations must be based and provide services in or near colleagues’ hometowns.
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Cummings Properties sustainability coordinator Gary Gresh, a Reading resident, was one of three employees who recommended Friends of Reading Recreation.
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“It is a privilege to have a donation made in my name to an organization in which I am personally involved,” Gresh, an active member of the community, noted. “I am extremely grateful to be given this opportunity by Cummings Properties.”
The diversity of the recipient list is striking, with participants choosing to support education, youth sports, animal welfare, social services, healthcare, historic preservation, the arts, and more. Several charities received $2,000 or $3,000, thanks to multiple employee nominations.
Friends of Reading Recreation board member Peter Coumounduros stated, “It is wonderful to know that three different Cummings Properties employees value what we do as an organization. These donations will be spread throughout multiple programs and will support our work in a variety of ways.”
Cummings Properties president and CEO Dennis Clarke said, “The Company is proud give back to the community and to support such deserving local charities, especially in honor of valued staff members.”
Several employees elected to hand-deliver the donation to their selected organization, while the remaining checks were mailed directly to nonprofits during the last week of August.
