Article from the Jasper Journal 4th Quarter 2018
Written by: Melissa Winebarger
Jasper Ventures cares about invested employees; in fact, part of their vision is to involve employees directly in how and where resources are stewarded. In June 2018, the executive team established a charitable fund with two main purposes in mind: to provide donations to worthy nonprofits in East Texas and to help give employees a voice in this process of intentional corporate generosity.
In just six months, the Employee Directed Giving Fund (EDGF) has enabled Jasper Ventures to positively impact the communities in which we live, work, and play.
Three employees were selected to serve on the committee through an application process. This committee of employees inspects, discusses, and votes on the fund applications submitted. To be considered for the committee, each applicant must be employed by Jasper Ventures’ family of companies for at least two years as well as serve within their community. The EDGF committee meets once a quarter to discuss every new application it receives from nonprofits within Smith, Gregg, and Cherokee counties.
In order to make better-informed decisions about how to support the organizations seeking assistance, the committee visits these groups to learn more about the services they provide. In October, they visited the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County. Not only were they educated on the different forms of dementia, they were also put through a dementia simulation, giving them a first-hand look at how this disease affects everyday living.
Andy Jenkins, Aaron Glover, and Susan Taylor make up the EDGF committee. They have given considerable attention to each grant application they have received this year. Not every application submitted has been right for the fund, but the committee says it has been exciting to say “yes” to nonprofits they considered to have high impact.
This fund is helping the City of Troup build a splash pad for the community. Back-to-school backpacks were given to hundreds of Whitehouse students. The Hope Haven home was given window blinds so the girls can feel secure at night. The EDGF supported a benevolence fund for the Children’s Advocacy Center as well as Boys & Girls club afterschool programs in Whitehouse. After they visited the Alzheimer’s Alliance, the committee voted to help fund the Day Club respite care program.
To date, the EDGF has given $16,619.00 to seven organizations and one employee mission trip. Many of these organizations also have volunteer opportunities that Jasper Ventures employees are encouraged to participate in throughout the year. We look forward to helping more organizations like these in the new year.
The funds are made possible because each employee gives their best to provide innovative solutions to the midstream oil and gas industry. Every person at Jasper Ventures is making an impact within our communities.
If you would like to learn more about the EDGF or possibly join the committee this year, please contact one of the committee members or Melissa Winebarger.
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