The Western New York Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals recently recognized VALU Home Centers as the 2011 Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation for the company's work in raising money for Western New York non-profit organizations. VALU received the award during the National Philanthropy Celebration luncheon held on Wednesday, November 16th at Salvatore's Italian Gardens in Lancaster New York.
The Salvation Army nominated VALU Home Centers in recognition for VALU's work on behalf of The Salvation Army as well as for the help VALU has provided to more than 30 other local organizations. An AFP selection committee comprised of past AFP award winners reviewed each nomination based on AFP's selection criteria and historical standards of achievement to determine VALU as the 2011 winner.
Michael A Ervolina, Jr., president of VALU Home Centers, accepted the award on behalf of the more than 1000 VALU associates.
"We take great pride in this honor from the Association of Fundraising Professionals," commented Mr. Ervolina. "And we take even greater pride in giving back to the communities where we have stores and that our store associates and mangers call home."
Including the support to The Salvation Army, VALU Home Centers has raised more than $4 million for local organizations over the past 20 years. Some key VALU fundraising efforts include:
The Salvation Army Winter Salvation Kit In 10 years, VALU has donated proceeds from the sale of car emergency kits in excess of $431,000 to local Salvation Army chapters.
Make A Change For the past 12 years, VALU has helped raise more than $670,000 for Kids Escaping
Drugs Renaissance Campus and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Habitat for Humanity Since 1993 VALU has held this annual fundraiser to benefit local chapters in Western and Central New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania of Habitat for Humanity. To date, VALU's efforts have resulted in more than $2,880,000 for 17 local Habitat affiliates.
Community Event Day Every May and September, each VALU store invites local organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTAs and high school sports teams to set up and sell hotdogs and other items to help raise money for their organization. Since Community Event Days were started in 1999, more than $183,000 has been raised to support local organizations.
"Customer service and community service are core commitments of VALU Home Centers." Ervolina said. "These values were a critical part of the company's founding 43 years ago and they remain as strong as ever in the VALU Home Centers' culture today."
