Generosity of Business Community Noted by City

By Gail Gilpin and Kacie Medinas, City of Pleasanton

Pleasanton Businesses Small to Large are Vital Partners of this Caring and Giving Community

Each year businesses contribute thousands of dollars, countless hours, and valuable resources to charitable causes in Pleasanton and the greater Tri-Valley area. Although it isn't easy to determine the total contributions made, the results of a recent citywide survey provide some insight.

Over 200 businesses, about five percent of Pleasanton's companies, responded to the survey. The results show that annual contributions range from $50 to $200,000 per business. Every dollar counts and the impact is significant. The combined charitable giving of these Pleasanton businesses is over $842,000 per year. Pleasanton businesses also contributed a total of 28,000 volunteer hours last year, or about 139 hours per employee. Not reflected in these figures are the employee contributions made to the Tri-Valley Community Fund through payroll deduction programs.

Business generosity is extended to a wide variety of causes: local youth sports programs, free aerobics classes, golf clinics for the physically challenged, food baskets, and much more.

Here are some inspiring examples:

US Bank provides many free banking services to non-profit organizations.
American Speedy Printing donates printing services for Kaleidoscope, Foothill High School Band, Pleasanton Sea Hawks and other local groups.
Farmers Insurance Group gave over 100 decorated Thanksgiving food baskets for local services last year.
Yes! Entertainment donates toys that can be reclaimed to Brighter Christmas.
Documentum donated over 20,000 pounds of food to the Alameda County Food Bank last year.
Ponderosa Homes participates in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica event and supports the Battered Women's Alternative.
Abdalian Piano restores pianos and donates them for lessons to underprivileged children.

Our community would not be the same without business, a full and appreciated community partner.

Note: This is the second of three articles contributed by the City of Pleasanton to highlight the value of business to the community.

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