COLUMBUS, Ind. — With Christmas music heralding the joy of goodwill playing in the background, the leaders of two of Bartholomew County’s largest manufacturers demonstrated their own holiday goodwill by making annual matching donations to local nonprofits Wednesday afternoon
The presentations took place at United Way of Bartholomew County’s office on Thirteenth Street on Wednesday.
It marked the fourth year that Tom Linebarger, Cummins Inc.’s chairman and chief executive officer, and Brett Wood, president and chief executive officer of Toyota Material Handling North America, made a total donation of $20,000 divided among four United Way agencies.
The giving grew out of a lunch meeting the two executives shared about five years ago. It has become a highly visible way for the two firms to make a difference in the county — and to thank the United Way agencies for all they do for some of this areas struggling residents.
The agencies that each received $5,000 checks are:
- Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center, which will marks its holiday Angels of Love gift giveaway Sunday for 700 lower-income youngsters and their families.
- Su Casa, which is a major cog in assisting Latino families in the area with a range of programs such as Vecinas De Enlace (Neighborhood Point Persons), focusing on everything from language development to career development.
- Thrive Alliance, planning to use its money on its dementia care programs, including a new robotic pet program.
- Sans Souci, meaning “without worry,” with its most visible outreach to the struggling being a discount store of clothing and more, plus considerable, hands-on job training.
“By my definition, you are stars,” Wood told agency representatives. “We may not always see you, but you are there.”
For the complete story and more photos, see Thursday’s Republic.
