National Philanthropy Day Salutes Giving Back
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Suzanne and Alfred Fleming don’t think of themselves as philanthropists.
Both have contributed time, effort and money to various community organizations and serve as directors on nonprofit boards. Some 20 years ago, they established the Suzanne and Al Fleming Family Foundation. Still, they were surprised to learn they are among the honorees who will be recognized today to commemorate National Philanthropy Day.
“It must be philanthropy with a small ‘p’ because we don’t consider ourselves to be huge donors,” remarks Al Fleming, a local attorney.
“Al and Suzanne lead by example,” says Helen Paes, who with Linda Kostka is co-chairing the awards event. “They’ve been active in the community for years,” not only serving on various boards but having established a family fund overseen by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley. The couple is being recognized as the Outstanding Philanthropist.
The Flemings are among the individuals, companies and organizations who will be honored at the luncheon at Antone’s Banquet Center in Boardman. The luncheon, where eight awards will be presented, is hosted by the Mahoning/Shenango Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
“This is an illustration that you don’t have to be a Mellon or a Rockefeller to make a difference,” says Suzanne Fleming, who is retired. “We all have 24 hours in our day. That’s one resource that’s pretty equitably distributed so if you have interest and time and talent, you can help. That’s why I think it’s important. Everybody can do something.”
Calling attention to philanthropy is important “because it really improves and has a connection with the quality of life in our Mahoning and Shenango valleys,” Paes says. “When people give, they are giving to organizations focusing on social services or the arts, or nonprofit entities “that help the community grow and thrive as well.”
The call for National Philanthropy nominations goes out during the summer and the process for selecting honorees is difficult, Paes says. “There are some in the same category who certainly are worthy and we want to make sure that we’re picking the right one for that particular year,” she remarks.
This year’s honorees include companies such as the Special Recognition for Valley Impact honoree, Covelli Enterprises in Warren, which hosts the annual Panerathon benefiting the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center.
“That’s what they’re well-known for, but they’ve done other things too, that merits getting the special recognition,” Kostka says.
Other companies to be recognized are DiRusso Sausage, the Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist, and Gasser Chair, Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist.
Gasser, which specializes in furniture for the hospitality and gaming industries, supports “so many organizations” with financial and in-kind contributions, Kostka says.
DiRusso is “quietly philanthropic,” also donating food products and money to local organizations and causes, she adds.
The presidents of Gasser Chair and DiRusso Sausage each expressed surprise at the upcoming recognition.
“There are a lot of companies in this valley that are very generous in their giving and we’re a pretty small operation by most standards,” says Mark Gasser.
“We simply believe that anything we can do to improve the community we live and work in is something we should do. It benefits everyone, including the folks who work and earn their living at Gasser Chair.”
Rob DiRusso acknowledges there is always a “certain vested interest” because of the marketing and publicity, but he says it’s a secondary consideration. “You have to have an inclination to want to help out or to want to improve things,” he says.
The Legacy Award, presented by the Mahoning/Shenango Planned Giving Council, is being presented posthumously to Angela, Josephine and Jenny Kikel. Born in the early 1900s, the three sisters lived together – and lived modestly, says James Sisek, president and CEO of the Farmers Trust Co., Boardman, which administers the Kikel Charitable Trust.
The sisters were introduced in the 1950s to Ted Powers at Butler Wick & Co., who was “very fond” of IBM stock. They purchased a few shares at a time over the years, and accumulated great value.
“They were always interested in children,” Sisek says, and they established the trust to benefit the former Tod Children’s Hospital and the pediatric ward at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Today, with assets of more than $15 million, the trust distributes $350,000 annually to both St. Elizabeth and Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley in Boardman.
Aut Mori Grotto is being recognized as Outstanding Civic Organization. Probably more familiar to the community via the clowns that march in area parades and appear at public events, the civic group also supports Akron Children’s Hospital, “raising probably $10,000-a-year-plus for the organization,” as well as supporting Sojourner House and other area organizations, Kostka says.
Individuals being recognized at the Nov. 15 event include Rita Joseph O’Leary, as Outstanding Volunteer Philanthropist, and Olivia Helmick, as Outstanding Youth Philanthropist (See story page 46).
O’Leary is “very well known” in Salem and Columbiana “where she’s involved in just pretty much every aspect of the community,” volunteering and helping organizations to raise money, Kostka says.
Helmick, who established Olivia’s Backyard Carnival to raise funds for the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, has “been a philanthropist really in the true sense since she was 5,” Kostka remarks.
“We hope she’ll be a lifelong philanthropist,” Paes says.
One goal of National Philanathropy Day is to reinforce the importance of philanthropy to young adults, Paes says. “This community needs to have philanthropists. Otherwise we’re not going to be a thriving community the way we need to be.”
Editor's Note: First published in the MidNovember edition of The Business Journal.
Copyright 2013 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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