Medical Mutual 2014 Pillar Awards for Community Service, Central Ohio

Tanny Crane
President and CEO
Crane Group
www.cranegroup.com

Raising the bar
The Crane Group continues to find ways to be a good neighbor

Tanny Crane puts her heart and soul into her business, and she does the same with her efforts to make Columbus and the surrounding region a better place to live and work. Her recent pledge of
$1 million to Mayor Michael Coleman’s South Side Initiative is just another instance of that dedication.

The revitalization and redevelopment of the Southern Gateway neighborhood involved the renovation of the closed Reeb Avenue Elementary School into a neighborhood center, which will offer social programming and house the South Side Learning & Development Center.

It’s a continuation of the philanthropy that has been demonstrated by the Crane Group since Robert S. Crane Sr. founded the company in 1947.

The company, now led by Tanny, who serves as president and CEO, continues to be involved in a wide array of programs across the region. This includes local arts and education, health and human services, civic organizations, and neighborhood and community groups.

Crane Group has always believed that businesses have a responsibility to support nonprofit efforts that enhance the quality of life in their communities. The company has been the top per capita giver for the United Way in Central Ohio for the past 10 years.

One of the unique programs at Crane Group is called Crane on Board. More than 50 company leaders serve and lend their time and talents to more than 75 distinct nonprofit organizations.

The company’s ability to make a difference energizes everyone, and Tanny helps that flame burn bright by staying so involved. ●

 

Ric Dillon
CEO
Diamond Hill Investments
www.diamond-hill.com

Generosity prevails
Diamond Hill Investments’ associates typify involvement across the community

The associates at Diamond Hill Investments, under the leadership of CEO Ric Dillon, are not only generous with their time volunteering at organizations such as LifeCare Alliance, Faith Mission and Habitat for Humanity, they work to review the Diamond Hill Charitable Foundation’s charter.

The Diamond Hill Charitable Foundation is a charitable gift match program with a maximum match for employee donations being $2,000 per calendar year with a matching policy minimum donation of $100.

A group of four associates each serve a two-year term to review the charter and ways to participate.

The foundation’s objective is to support charitable organizations that are important to Diamond Hill’s clients, shareholders and associates. Donations and matching through the foundation are vetted by The Columbus Foundation.

In addition to the organizations above, Diamond Hill has relationships with: Franklin County Children Services, donations; American Heart Association, 2013 Heart Walk attendees and monetary contributions; All For the Troops, donations sent to the troops; Rock for Hunger, corporate sponsorship with employees attending event; Children’s Hunger Alliance, monetary contributions; Neighborhood Services Inc., donations sent to the organization for the back-to-school program; Night of Chocolate, corporate sponsorship with employees attending event; American Red Cross, employee blood drive; Boys & Girls Club, corporate sponsorship with employees attending event; City Life, employee volunteers; and I Know I Can, employee volunteers. ●

 

Jordan A. Miller Jr.
president and CEO
Fifth Third Bank, Central Ohio
www.53.com

Helping where it’s needed
Fifth Third Bank supports financial literacy, hunger programs in the community

With one of its goals aimed at increasing the financial literacy of people living in the community it serves, Fifth Third Bank, Central Ohio, under President and CEO Jordan A. Miller Jr., has developed financial empowerment programs that provide access to information and tools that contribute to good financial decisions.

The Young Bankers Club teaches fifth grade students the basics about money, including what it is and how people get it, the importance of saving, and how education and career choices affect their future.

More than 7,000 students have graduated from the program since its inception. The program, which was re-launched in 2012, features an updated, revised and expanded curriculum, incorporating more real-world activities and an interactive video game challenge for the students.

The commitment to financial literacy doesn’t stop there. Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance allows high school teachers to teach students how important it is to plan their financial future. Through a DVD lecture course, accompanying workbooks and online content, students study the value of saving, spending and giving to guide them down the path of financial peace.

The total year-to-date volunteer hours by Fifth Third Bank employees reached 1,880 hours for the Central Ohio region. That includes 981 employee volunteer hours with the Young Bankers Club; 426 employee volunteer hours with the Financial Empowerment Mobile; and 473 employee volunteer hours associated with traditional volunteer work for Community Reinvestment Act qualified organizations. ●

 

Evan Williams
President and COO
Franklin International
www.franklininternational.com

Matching up
Franklin International believes in supporting employee contributions

Franklin International’s commitment to well-being starts at the core. While some might expect the corporate culture of a manufacturing business to center on producing good products, the culture at Franklin is “to appropriately enhance the economic, physical, relational, emotional and spiritual health of ourselves, our customers, our suppliers and our community.”

Franklin, led by Evan Williams, president and COO, is proud to be among the 16 percent of midsized businesses that permit employees to volunteer on paid company time.

Franklin is also among the 25 percent of midsized companies that match employee charitable donations, demonstrating its belief in giving back to the community and supporting employees in their charitable acts.

In addition, Franklin conducts an annual giving campaign for United Way and three other charitable organizations. During this campaign, the company will match between $1 and $1.50 in contributions made by employees.

Charitable activities in which Franklin has participated include Operation Feed, United Way, Urban Concern, National Night Out, Children’s Hospital, PDHC, Salvation Army and Youth for Christ.

The company also demonstrates a concern for its employees and their families’ financial well-being beyond just a paycheck. Franklin participated in a Financial Fitness program, which at a cost to Franklin, allowed employees to complete online modules relating to financial efficiency. And, starting in 2008 as the only company-paid matching program in Ohio, Franklin provided a payroll deduction option for 529 plans. ●

 

Amy Schultz Clubbs
President

Dr. Martin Portillo
Chief medical officer
Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc.
www.molinahealthcare.com

Supporting employees, supporting communities
Molina Healthcare of Ohio gives workers time to give back

Since Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc. was introduced to After-School All-Stars Ohio, a program focused on helping at-risk youth succeed in school and life, a partnership has grown that benefits the children and families in 10 Ohio schools. The company has been a part of ASAS Ohio through volunteerism, funding, board membership, resources and educational support, demonstrating its commitment to low-income families and youth that goes beyond its core services.

Molina staff members frequently attend community events to inform families and children of their health care options while promoting a healthy lifestyle. The company also supports programming through a grant that has allowed ASAS Ohio to extend cooking classes to its 1,000 after-school participants in Columbus, Dayton and Toledo.

Outside of ASAS Ohio, Molina collaborates with public schools and community-based organizations to deliver health education opportunities and expand health, wellness and education programs offered in schools, community centers and other gathering spaces.

To support their employees’ interests in giving back to the community, Molina established a volunteer time-off program, which gives employees time off annually to volunteer with charitable organizations. In 2012, Molina employees gave more than 2,100 volunteer hours to the community and $200,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations.

Molina also honors organizations and individuals doing exceptional community service work with its annual Community Champions Awards. Recently, Molina honored five people with a $1,000 grant to donate to the charity of their choice and a tree was planted in his or her honor. ●

 

David P. Blom
President and CEO
OhioHealth
www.ohiohealth.com

Actively engaged
OhioHealth supports its community at every turn

As a leading not-for-profit healthcare provider, OhioHealth’s mission is “to improve the health of those we serve.” That philosophy is a big part of the company’s philanthropic efforts, which are focused on investing in the community and making a difference in the lives of those facing tough challenges.

In fiscal year 2013, more than 85 organizations benefitted from the support of OhioHealth under the leadership of David P. Blom, the company’s president and CEO. One thing that makes OhioHealth such a strong supporter of the community is Team OhioHealth. The group is comprised of company associates who volunteer their time with partner organizations at OhioHealth-sponsored events. More than 4,000 individuals participated in 33 Team OhioHealth activities throughout the past fiscal year, an increase over the previous year.

Project Mentor is another component of OhioHealth’s commitment to the Columbus region. Coordinated through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, the program provides mentors from OhioHealth and other local companies to students in the Columbus City Schools. Volunteers also donate their time for other programs that benefit students in local schools.

Overall, 1,256 hours of volunteer time were logged by OhioHealth associates in support of educational initiatives in fiscal year 2013.

The company’s community relations department proactively supports the mission of OhioHealth through partnerships that align with the health needs of the community. The department also works hard to increase visibility for OhioHealth leadership, programs and services, providing opportunities for meaningful associate engagement. ●

 

William Hutter
CEO

Jim Caldwell
CFO
Sequent
www.sequent.biz

A principled approach
For Sequent, giving support to the community is only natural

Contributing to the community where one lives, no matter the size of the contribution, is simply the right thing to do. Following this motto, Sequent chooses projects and donations that primarily focus on community service and philanthropy in the areas of children’s needs, cancer research and the local arts community. It also makes in-kind donations, such as staff hours dedicated to offering pro-bono consultation services and the use of the company’s corporate meeting and training rooms.

Among the organizations that have benefitted from Sequent’s donations are Children’s Hunger Alliance, Pelotonia, The Columbus Jazz Orchestra, The Gathering, Kairos, The Columbus International Program, TiE Ohio, The Furniture Bank and Select Association Management.

The company has first-hand experience with cancer, having lost two associates in four years to the disease, and having several employees who are cancer survivors. In five years, Sequent’s bike-riding volunteers have raised some $61,000 for Pelotonia. Sequent employees also contribute $2,500 to Pelotonia annually.

Sequent CFO Jim Caldwell and other employee volunteers contribute many hours annually at Kairos, a prison ministry. Employees bake some 120 dozen cookies for each Kairos weekend. Caldwell says that the inmates this program serves are very moved by the fact that total strangers bake dozens of cookies for them.

Sequent also backs the Jazz Arts Group by supporting the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. CEO William Hutter, a former member of its board, offered the group his expertise in human resources through consultations. Sequent also sponsors the Inside Track series of contemporary jazz concerts at the Lincoln Theatre. ●

 

E.W. Ingram III
Chairman and CEO
Lisa Ingram
President
White Castle
www.whitecastle.com

Well done
How White Castle restaurants help those who need it most

LifeCare Alliance and White Castle have forged a strong partnership over the years, which enriches the lives of many in the Central Ohio region. It began in 1988 when White Castle offered its support to the Columbus Cancer Clinic, an agency of LifeCare Alliance.

The Ingram family, who has managed White Castle since its founding in 1921, supported the first capital campaign for the nonprofit health organization, which seeks to identify and deliver health and nutrition services to meet the changing needs of its communities.

From that moment on, White Castle has remained a dedicated partner for the clients served each day by the staff and volunteers of LifeCare.

Today, E.W. Ingram III, the company’s chairman and CEO, and Lisa Ingram, his daughter, who serves as president, lead White Castle. Philanthropy continues to be a big part of what they do in leading the business recognized to be the first fast-food hamburger chain.

The company gets involved in the delivery of pantry items to the homebound and HIV/AIDS clients, transportation to dining centers and leadership to develop strategic planning initiatives. White Castle is also active with Autism Speaks, Wigs 4 Kids, Adopt-A-Child and the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

But it is the work with LifeCare Alliance that has made a particularly strong impact. Through funding from the Ingram-White Castle Foundation, those in need under the age of 60, a group that is often underserved when it comes to home-based services, can receive meals through Meals-on-Wheels. ●