(Photo/Dakota Antelman)
REGION – The season of giving has arrived for 19 MetroWest nonprofits, which just received a collective $43,000 through Cummings Properties’ Cummings Community Giving program.
Each year, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm invites staff to select a local nonprofit or two to receive a cash donation from the company in their name.
This includes organizations in Hudson and Marlborough.
The program, now in its 11th year, aims to support the communities where Cummings team members live and work. Employees this year directed $424,000 to 195 causes in approximately 80 local cities and towns. Participants have cumulatively directed nearly $5 million in donations to date.
“Today’s professionals value not just what an employer will do for them but also what that organization is doing to better the world around it,” said Cummings Properties Chairman and CEO Dennis Clarke. “What makes Cummings Community Giving so special is that it lets the employee choose how and where the employer gives back.”
The company upped the ante in 2022 by increasing the program’s potential impact: Whereas historically most staff could direct $1,000, and those with at least 10 years’ seniority could direct $2,000, all employees are now invited to each direct a total of $2,000.
Cummings Properties inventory associate Mario Roach directed the full $2,000 to Ashland-based Fighting Life, an afterschool program at UpperKuts Boxing Club that uses the sport to foster self-discipline and confidence in underserved youths.
“I learned about Fighting Life in 2019, and I’ve looked forward to supporting it every year since,” said Roach, a seven-year team member.
Each eligible nonprofit may receive up to $6,000 per cycle. This year, employees directed that maximum to 17 recipients, including Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton, Buddy Dog Humane Society of Sudbury and Andrew’s Helpful Hands Foundation of Hudson.
Several MetroWest organizations received $2,000, including 4 Paws Animal Shelter, Berlin Family Food Pantry, Better Day Adult Social Day Program, Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest, Carroll School, Fighting Life, Marlborough Fire Department, New England Mountain Bike Association and Project Smile.
The following MetroWest nonprofits received $1,000 each: All Dog Rescue, Boys & Girls Club of Assabet Valley, Brazilian American Center, MetroWest ESL Fund, Maynard Youth Football and Cheer, Sweats for Vets and Voices Against Violence.
Cummings Community Giving is open to staff at Cummings Properties as well as its affiliated senior living communities, New Horizons at Choate in Woburn, and New Horizons at Marlborough. In recent years, the program has expanded to include longtime leasing clients and Cummings Foundation volunteers.
More information about Cummings Community Giving, including the complete 2022 recipient list, is available at www.cummings.com/ccg.
