Each year, Columbus Business First’s Corporate Caring Award recognizes for-profit companies for their financial contributions, volunteer service and other unique contributions to Columbus’ charities and nonprofit organizations.
We are proud to announce that Edwards Communities Management Company has been selected as one of this year’s finalists!
Over 70 nominations were received, and 54 finalists were invited to attend an awards reception on June 21 at The Grand Event Center. At the awards reception, Judges will reveal one small, medium and large company Honoree in the categories of arts, education, environmental, health and human services. They will also choose a Benefactor of the Year, which recognizes one outstanding corporation for its overall excellence in multiple areas of service.
We’d like to thank our members and employees for their generous participation in our charitable events last year! We became a Business First Corporate Caring Award finalist because of our support for the following three charities:
Trick or Treat for Mid-Ohio Food Bank
Edwards Communities has been supporting the Mid-Ohio Food Bank for 13 years, and the “Trick or Treat for Mid-Ohio Food Bank” drive was a joint effort by all of the apartment communities’ members and employees, the corporate office, and The Barn.
The drive took place the week before Halloween, and Edwards’ employees dressed in costume to “trick or treat” for canned and non-perishable food donations in their apartment community and the corporate office.
In 2016, Edwards Communities broke its own record, collecting 5,281 cans of food, which equates to a 4,868-pound or 2.34 ton food donation!
Holiday Wish for The Homeless Families Foundation of Columbus
For the past 12 years, Edwards Communities has hosted a Holiday Wish program to benefit The Homeless Families Foundation of Columbus. The month long drive began in mid November, and members supported a child or family in need by purchasing items from a wish list. Items included clothing, outdoor apparel, shoes, boots, pajamas and toys for infants to young adults.
Edwards Communities’ members and employees responded generously in 2016, collecting 60 large trash bags full of 50 winter coats, clothes, shoes and other items. Additionally, they collected $675 in gift cards, $150 in checks, and six bicycles!
Over the years, the donations of Edwards Communities’ members and employees have grown in size and scale. What could once fit into an employee’s truck now requires a professional moving company to transport!
Blood Drives for The American Red Cross
Edwards Communities has been hosting blood drives for the American Red Cross since 2006. We hosted them annually from 2006-2008; three times a year from 2009-2014; and in response to a growing need, began hosting them quarterly in 2015.
The blood drives are held in the community room at The Barn, and each donating member receives a gift card that can be redeemed for food and beverages at The Barn.
Since 2006, Edwards Communities has donated 553 pints of blood to the American Red Cross, which can potentially save 1,659 lives!
Our participation and support of charitable events with the Mid Ohio Food Bank, The Homeless Families Foundation of Columbus and the American Red Cross will continue in 2017. Thank you again for your generous contributions to these charities, and for helping us become recognized as a 2017 Business First Corporate Caring Award Finalist!
If you’d like more information about Edwards Communities or our beautiful communities in central Ohio and throughout the country, please contact us or visit our website.