Richard J. Alley

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

June 2, 2010

The First Tennessee Foundation recently spread good fortune across its namesake state with grants totaling more than $80,000 to 95 nonprofit groups through the foundation’s Leadership Grants program. Memphis area organizations received $33,500.

The Leadership Grants program also encourages bank employees to serve on the boards of nonprofit groups and offers amounts of $500 to board members and $1,000 to board officers to be contributed to the nonprofit organizations of their choice.

In 2009, 72 First Tennessee employees participated in board service.

“If you went around our state and looked at the market presence in each of our major markets, for the most part they (employees) have been chairpersons of United Way, the chambers and involved with the universities,” said Charles Burkett, president of banking with First Tennessee … (read more)

Spot business news for The Commercial Appeal

May 22, 2010

Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corp. kicked off its partnership with one of America’s leading vision benefits companies, Davis Vision of Plainview, N.Y., to provide eye screenings to the homeless and underserved of Memphis.

“The Focus on America program targets children and adults underinsured or not insured at all,” said Laura Dyer of Davis Vision. “This is not a one-time thing. This is the kickoff of a partnership that will provide glasses on a monthly basis.”

Those who failed eye exams were either given vouchers for reduced-cost eyeglasses from any local retailers who work with Davis Vision, or free glasses in cases of homelessness. An average pair of glasses, according to George Yanoshik Jr. of Davis Vision, is $293.

“If you can’t see, it’s hard to fill out a job application or find your way out in the community,” said Baptist Memorial Healthcare president and CEO Stephen Reynolds … (read more)

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

May 10, 2010

Service Assurance, a Memphis-based information technology support and outsourcing company for the region, has teamed up with Monogram Food Solutions, maker of King Cotton products, to donate $7,500 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

“This was our first engagement with Monogram so we thought what a great way to start a relationship by giving all the revenue back to the community,” said Mark Giannini, founder and CEO of Service Assurance. “Monogram’s values are very much in line with ours in that they love supporting the community, and they love children and nonprofits that help children.

“It was the absolute perfect way to start what we both hope is going to be a long-term business relationship.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis was founded in 1955 and serves more than 5,000 youths between the ages of six and 18 through academic and recreational programs. The local Boys & Girls Clubs operates six full-service clubs, a technical training center and Camp Phoenix.

“Service Assurance and Monogram Foods made an investment,” said Vincent Borello, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. “They didn’t really make a donation because in the long run these are the kids that are going to be working in the facilities, these are the families that are going to be buying their products, the families that make up our city.” … (read more)

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

February 19, 2010

The Palladio Group, a collection of nine entities representing art galleries, showrooms and antique shops in six buildings in Cooper-Young, recently donated $1,500 to the Mid-South Food Bank, a sum that equates to more than 3,500 meals.

“Traditionally at year-end we have done a customer appreciation where we pay the tax or hold an event, and it was nice, but we thought we could include someone else,” said Frank Roberts who, along with his wife, Mindy, owns The Palladio Group.

The fundraiser took place the last week of December and first week of January, a time that is notoriously quiet for nonprofits.

“The food bank is a worthwhile organization in our community and we thought it a particularly good time,” Roberts said … (read more)

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

Corporate giving profile for The Commercial Appeal

Buckley’s Fine Filet Grill, U.S. Foodservice and the Ronald McDonald House

November 20, 2009

Buckley’s Fine Filet Grill, partnering with food distributor U.S. Foodservice, recently visited the Ronald McDonald House to help stock the kitchen and pantry.

“I read a story in the paper that the pantry was low, and we said ‘let’s just go fill it up,’ ” said Ken Dick, who founded the restaurant in 1993 with Jeff Fioranelli, his friend since the eighth grade.

U.S. Foodservice president Joe Campbell and vice president of sales Jimmy Cull see the donation as an extension of the work they already do with St. Jude, Grizzlies House and Target House.

“Jeff and Ken are good friends and good customers, and when they asked us to get involved, we said ‘absolutely,’ ” Cull said. “Joe Campbell gave us the OK to do whatever we have to do to help the patients of St. Jude. Even in tough times we have not backed off from helping St. Jude.” … (read more)

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

September 4, 2009

Tops Bar-B-Q sold hearts for a dollar to benefit the Le Bonheur Foundation, the fundraising arm of Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center.

The 14 area locations spent six weeks raising money, with the culmination being the FM-100 radiothon for the hospital that took place last week.

In addition to raising money, they also provided food for participants in the radiothon.

Tops owner George Messick “is very happy and proud to lend a helping hand to people who need it,” said Tops spokeswoman Amy Laughlin. “Tops has raised around $4,500 so far.” … (read more)

Cultural exchange at Le Bonheur

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

August 21, 2009

A group of immigrant students from Central High School and the City University School of Liberal Arts charter school worked as cross-culture volunteers at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare last year.

About 60 students are expected to enroll in the program this school year.

“The volunteers come after school twice a week for two hours and learn the clinical side of the hospital, teaching, nursing, administration,” said Johnekia Catron, manager of volunteer services for Methodist Le Bonheur. “They shadow paramedics in the emergency room and work in same-day surgery.”… (read more)