For the past 18 years, Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric has chosen to make an impact on thousands of individuals and more than 200 nonprofits or causes in Colorado communities through their Caring Community Giveaway.
Through the Giveaway, Applewood has donated more than $300,000 to food banks, youth organizations, pet initiatives, mental health services, the arts, education and other causes. For the first 14 years, $1000 was given to a winner monthly. Since then, Applewood has raised their donations to a $5000 quarterly winner with second and third place nominees also receiving $500.
Applewood’s 190 employees are actively involved in choosing the nominees. Each quarter, the employees choose their top three causes based off a theme, such as feeding Denver’s hungry. The winners are then determined by the public voting on Applewood’s Facebook page or website.
“As an employee, it feels meaningful to be asked to nominate a nonprofit company to receive a donation from Applewood. Nominating a local nonprofit for a donation reinforces the notion that my voice matters and that my employer genuinely cares about the causes that are important to me,” said Jennifer Cookson, an Applewood employee. “It allows me to engage with my community and support organizations that align with my personal values and passions.”
The Giveaway brings together the public, local nonprofits and its employees to have a significant impact on individuals, families and communities in Colorado.
“We’re proud of the organizations chosen and their work in our communities,” said Josh Ward, owner of Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric. “We know we are all better when we work together to be good neighbors.”
Applewood believes that together with small, local nonprofits they can have a vast and direct impact. Over the course of the program’s history, nearly 200 organizations have received funds to support their programs and community outreach.
Andrea Davis, with Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary, is a previous recipient who said, “Winning Applewood’s Caring Community Giveaway will make a tremendous impact on so many rescued animals. This isn’t just money; it’s hope and joy for hundreds of farm animals who needed a second chance at life and found it here at Broken Shovels. We are incredibly grateful.”
“We are in the business of helping people and the Giveaway program takes that one step further in the communities where we work,” said Ward.
Applewood is a family-owned business doing plumbing, electrical and HVAC repairs along the Front Range from Denver to Boulder to Longmont to Castle Rock. Applewood’s giving culture has been recognized as a Denver Post Top Workplaces for the past 11 years.
