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Taraynn Lloyd,
Vice President of Marketing
What does giving back mean to Edwards
Garment?
Edwards encourages associates
to actively engage with local nonprofits to
build that strong community bond. For
example, when the Salvation Army asked for
garment donations for job seekers, employees
responded with a large donation of career
apparel. When Big Brothers/Big Sisters asked
if Edwards wanted to participate in its bowling
fundraisers, Edwards associates put six teams
together to help raise funds for their programs.
When Communities in Schools inquired
if we had associates who could work with
children on their reading skills, many Edwards
employees stepped up to the challenge.
What advice do you have for other
companies that want to start a
charitable giving program
? Working with
any community group takes time and
commitment. Keep in mind that participation
doesn’t always mean you need to raise
funds for the local nonprofit. Many times just
getting involved is all that is required.
What has been the most unexpected
result of your company’s giving program
?
Words can’t express the joy on people’s
faces when they are committed to a
cause that strengthens our youth, families
and our community. It is infectious.
One of the Edwards Garment bowling teams poses at the event benefitting Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Supported charities:
Supplier Edwards Garment has beenworking with local nonprofit
groups for more than 40 years and regularly supports over a dozen programs that make a
positive impact. President and CEOGary Schultz says, “Our goal is to assist local agencies
in our community that impact the lives of youth and familymembers. We are committed
to building and strengthening community bonds in a positive and supportive way. Our
core values are built around heritage, compassion and humility whichmakes community
outreach a part of our daily life.”
Program structure:
Edwards has a foundation that organizes the funding for its
philanthropic giving. However, financial support is only one leg of the Edwards commitment.
The company works with local nonprofits to help attain their goals of financial support, social
interaction and community engagement. An associate committee at the companymeets
regularly to review requests fromnonprofits and tomake recommendations on philanthropic
events. Minutes from themeetings are distributed to themanagement group for review
with employees and posted on bulletin boards throughout the company. If Edwards will be
participating in a large event, Schultz will make an announcement at one of themonthly
meetings he holds with associates.
EDWARDS GARMENT
The Heroes Among Us
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FEATURE
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MAY 2017
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39