2019 Foundation Highlights
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Financial Gifts to 81 Organizations
AGC Foundation
AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport
American Heart Association
Ankeny Bike Club
Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Iowa Chapter
Autism Speaks
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City
Blank Children's Hospital
Blood Sweat & Beers
Bravo Greater Des Moines
Camp Courageous
Centennial Elementary School PTA
Charlotte Rescue Mission
Charlotte's Wings
Child Abuse Foundation
Children & Families of Iowa
Children's Cancer Connection
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Des Moines Metro Opera
Des Moines Performing Arts
Des Moines Playhouse
Des Moines Symphony
Des Moines Valley Golf Club
Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation
Dorothy's House
DMACC Foundation
Easterseals Iowa
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Iowa
EveryStep Foundation
Freedom for Youth Ministries
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Hanaeleh Horse Rescue
Hoag Charity Sports
Hope Ministries
IMA Foundation
IMPACT
Iowa Athletics Development
Iowa Child Advocacy Board/Friends of Iowa CASA
Iowa College Foundation
Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame
Iowa State University Foundation
Joppa
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Madrid Bunch
Make-A-Wish
Meals from the Heartland
Mid-Iowa Council/Boy Scouts of America
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
New York State Association of School Attorneys
Norwalk PTO
Obria Medical Clinics
Opportunity on Deck
Orchard Place
Partners 4 Global Health
Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation
Pinky Swear Foundation
Principal Charity Classic
Ronald McDonald House
Smiling Dog Rescue
Special Olympics Iowa
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church
Surety Foundation
Texans Care for Children
The Centurions
United Way of Central Iowa
Unity Point Foundation
University of Texas
Variety - the Children's Charity
Veterans Legacy of Oregon
Waukee Area Christian Services
Waukee Betterment Foundation
West Des Moines EMS Association
Wildwood Hills Ranch of Iowa
Women's Barbell Classic
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
YMCA of Southern Arizona
Youth Emergency Services & Shelter
Youth Homes of Mid-America
15 Matching Gifts Totaling $3,890
The Foundation matches eligible associates’ donations of at least $25, up to $400 per year.
United Way
70 %
Associate participation rate
54
Associates increased their pledges or were first-time donors
6.82 %
Increase in pledges over 2018
341.75 Service Hours to 26 Organizations
All eligible associates can take 7.5 hours of paid volunteer time off (VTO) each year to participate in community service activities of their choice. In addition, the Community Outreach Council (COC) hosts special service projects for associates throughout the year.
- AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport
- American Model United Nations
- Beacon of Life
- Central Texas Food Bank
- Cowles Elementary School
- Des Moines Area Religious Council
- Des Moines Christian School
- Easterseals Iowa
- EveryStep Care & Support Services
- Give Grace Give Hope
- Helping Hands of Warren County
- Hope Community Church
- Junior Achievement of Central Iowa
- Kiya Koda Humane Society
- Little Sisters of the Poor
- Meals from the Heartland
- Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association
- Planned Parenthood
- Salvation Army
- Special Olympics Iowa
- St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School
- Struggle Beyond the Decade
- Variety – the Children’s Charity
- Waukee Area Christian Services
- Wayside Waifs
- Women’s Barbell Classic
2019 Community Outreach Council Highlights
20 Associate Members
The Community Outreach Council (COC) is comprised of associate members who encourage and facilitate financial giving and volunteer efforts within our community.
56 Events
$20,000 Raised for AHeinz57
Check Presentation
13 AHeinz57 Furry Friends Adopted By Associates
Khloe
Fox Terrier mix
Adopted by Andre Carl in 2016
Finley
Boxer/Shepherd mix
Adopted by Zach Schulte in 2015
Charlie
Havanese
Adopted by Jackie Chouinard in 2017
Mushu, Yoshi & Marley
Shih Tzu, Havapoo & Bishon Frise/Shih Tzu mix
Adopted by Cheryl Brashear in 2016, 2017 & 2019
Kramer
Domestic Shorthair
Adopted by Bonnie Byrnes in 2019
Mila
Shepherd mix
Adopted by Greg Frickenstein in 2016
Brink
Brittany Spaniel/Lab mix
Adopted by Allison Fox in 2018
Breezy
Boxer/Lab mix
Adopted by Kim Phillips in 2019
Millie
Great Pyrenees
Adopted by Emma Gerdis in 2019
Leslie
English Shepherd mix
Adopted by Kim Lee in 2011
Ollie
Domestic Shorthair mix
Adopted by Marlene Cronbaugh in 2019
$10,610 New COC Record
The Community Outreach Council set a new fundraising record for a single event at the 2019 Paws for Celebration benefiting AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport. The event raised $10,610 and featured a raffle with more than 50 prizes, tailgate games, food, drinks and furry visitors from AHeinz57.
Shining Star Award
“I love knowing I am advocating for little people who don’t have a voice.”
Commercial Renewals Associate Lori Bogart was selected as Merchants Bonding Company’s 2019 Shining Star for her work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). As a CASA, Lori volunteers her time and talents to make sure that children who are already victims of abuse or neglect aren’t negatively affected by the state system intended to protect them. Lori serves as an extra set of eyes for these children; reporting her observations, concerns and making recommendations regarding a child’s placement. She also sees the child monthly, attends hearings to advocate for the child and sits in with the child in family meetings. Lori’s work as a CASA helps to strengthen efforts to ensure that every child is living in a safe and permanent home.
Senior Applications Director Scott Olsen was nominated for his efforts with the Madrid Bunch, which raises funds to support Easterseals Camp Sunnyside. Scott organizes and leads several events each year including bike rides and an annual bowling tournament. In 2019, the Madrid Bunch donated $14,000 to Easterseals Iowa to support week-long and day camp programs.
Merchants’ annual Shining Star Award honors associates who are getting involved and giving back to their community. Nominations are reviewed and winners selected by Merchants’ Executive Committee.
We Support Our Communities
AHeinz57 Volunteers
AHeinz57 Volunteers
AHeinz57 Donations
COC Bags Tournament
Holiday Bake Sale
Holiday Bake Sale
COC Bingo
Adopt a Family Gifts
COC Art Happy Fundraiser
Easterseals Regatta
COC Food Day
COC Food Day
Paws for Celebration
Paws for Celebration
Paws for Celebration
COC Trivia
COC Trivia
COC Trivia
YESS Human Foosball
Courage League Wheelchair Basketball
Easterseals Ribbon Cutting
20/20 Vision
Vision To Learn Selected as 2020 Charity Beneficiary
The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation has selected Vision to Learn as its primary beneficiary for 2020. A partnership of United Way of Central Iowa and Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa, Vision To Learn seeks to give every child a chance to succeed in school and in life by bringing mobile clinics and trained eye care professionals directly to schools and community organizations.
Funds raised by Merchants’ Community Outreach Council and the 2020 Bill Warner Sr. Memorial Charity Golf Classic will go toward bringing eye care services and glasses directly to students who would not otherwise receive quality vision care.