Since its founding 20 years ago, Sequoia Financial Group’s service philosophy has extended not only to its clients, but to its local communities as well. Sequoia, headed by company President Thomas Haught, believes that community service is its responsibility as a growing business, and the best way to extend its model of service is by sponsoring, donating to, and volunteering for local charitable causes. The company focuses its efforts on organizations for which it feels it can make the most difference.
Sequoia’s flagship contribution to the community this past year was a $20,000 challenge gift to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. This gift resulted in $186,150 in financial support from individual donors.
The Foodbank also gained 820 new donors through this initiative. In fact, the project was so successful it became a best practice for other Foodbanks around the country. Sequoia’s sponsorship of the Foodbank’s annual Taste of the NFL event helped the Foodbank exceed its fundraising goal, raising more than $146,000 to support the distribution of emergency food to Northeast Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens.
Because Sequoia feels it’s just as important to give its time as its money, the company offers employees the opportunity to volunteer during the workday without PTO charged and with their time paid.
This past year, Sequoia’s volunteer efforts included two days helping build homes with Habitat for Humanity of Summit County. Members of the company split up into two teams, each spending a day helping to bring alive the dream of home ownership for a local family.
Sequoia also adopted a family through Violet’s Cupboard, an Akron-based organization that focuses on improving the quality of daily life for those infected with HIV/AIDS and their families. Sequoia provided about $500 worth of food, gifts, toys, gift cards and items specific to the family’s needs.
How to reach: Sequoia Financial Group LLC, (330) 375-9480 or www.sequoia-financial.com
