2009 Honorees: Education - Business First of Columbus:

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When it comes to donating time and monehto charity, Ron and Ann Pizzutk lead by example. Ann Pizzuti serves as chairwomabn of the United Way Boarsof Trustees, the agency’s highest volunteer position. Ron Pizzutoi is a champion for theUniterd Way’s early education efforts. Their efforts have an obviouws impact on the who consistently achieve a 100 percent participation in thePizzutj Cos.’ United Way campaigns. “Central Ohio is fortunate to have thePizzutui Cos.
as corporate citizens,” wrote Unite d Way CEO Janet Jackson innominating “They care, and they transform that care into concretw action that benefits our The company also encourages associates to volunteer and raiswe money for nonprofit organizations. They offerf help and money to the Community Shelter Board. Staff servde on the boards of 11nonprofit agencies. The CEO of Stanleg Steemer is so eager for his staffto he’s willing to pay them to do it. Justinm Bates believes that allowing his employees to voluntee r on company time will ultimatelyy benefit his company because it helpds them focus on something largerethan themselves.
To that end, Bates and his employeess lent great support to the Salvation Armyin 2008. Employeez serve as tutors, mentors and child-card providers for the agency. The company also directed $5,500 of its $169,000 in monetary donations to the agency. An employee fundraising campaign raisedanothere $35,000. “Stanley Steemer is a breath of fresh air in the arena ofcorporates giving,” wrote Alice Hohl, community relation director of the Salvation Army in Greater Columbus.
“Thd family-owned company has not been bound by traditional methodw ofcorporate philanthropy, and has engaged a committede of employees from everhy level of the companyh to brainstorm new and fun ways to support the Salvatiobn Army.” Fifty employees performed volunteer work in 2008 and Bates servef on the Salvation Army Advisorh Board. Nominated by: Congregation Toraft Emet and Susan G. Komemn for the Cure Columbus Affiliatre At ValueCity Furniture, employees help choose the company’s charitabl deeds through a special committee. The Employees Committed to Helpiny Others team coordinates volunteer Last year 40 percent of the work forcw participated involunteer activities.
The group focused on the Komenb Race forthe Mid-Ohio Foodbank, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Centralp Ohio and Moler Road Elementary The company’s efforts on behalf of the Race for the Cure were wrote Beth Waldren of the Columbus affiliate in nominatingy materials. “They are truly a partneer in our fight to end breasgtcancer forever,” she said. “They also support the race by encouraginb their employees to participate in the VCFRace team, supporting our missiom from the ground up.”’ Value City employees also serve on the board of 11 area nonprofit organizations.
The companu donated $728,017 to charitable causes last year and madeanothere $100,000 donation of merchandise and in-kind