The Chase Plastics Giving Card Campaign marked its fifth year by donating a total of $7,500 to three charities.
The program run by resin distributor Chase Plastics of Clarkston, Mich., concluded Dec. 15. The campaign previously donated $1,000 each to three charities, but officials said in a Dec. 22 news release that because of overwhelming response and the compelling stories of giving in a difficult year, three charities were selected for donations of $2,500 each.
This year's winning charities were all nominated by customers of Chase Plastics. They are:
• Agape Safe Haven, a year-round overnight homeless shelter that rotates among church sites in Longmont, Colo. Agape Safe Haven provides beds for up to a full year for guests such as women, the elderly and the disabled that would be vulnerable in a traditional emergency shelter.
• Paws With a Cause, which provides custom-trained assistance dogs to enhance the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities at no cost to the family. The Wayland, Mich.-based program increases awareness of the rights and roles of Assistance Dog Teams through education and advocacy.
• Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, which provides food and other essential items to member hunger-relief programs in eight Northeast Ohio counties. These member programs operate nearly 500 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and other hunger-relief programs — normally serving 200,000 meals annually. This year, the program has more than doubled its number of meals.
The Chase Giving Campaign started in 2016 as a way to highlight the charities that Chase Plastics' customers and suppliers were most passionate about, officials said. They added that what started as an idea to donate $1,000 to one charity in lieu of spending that money on holiday cards quickly grew to $1,000 donations to three charities because of the overwhelming response.
To raise awareness, donations and volunteer efforts for those who give all year, Chase Plastics highlighted a different charity on their social media channels every day of the campaign, which began in November.
"The outpouring of generosity and the incredible acts of kindness never ceases to amaze us," Chase Plastics President Kevin Chase said. "I am beyond grateful to be part of an industry that continues to create an impact year after year, and I look forward to continuing our work together to make a difference in 2021."
Chase Plastics is a stocking distributor with a portfolio that offers more than 26,000 grades of specialty, engineering and commodity resins and compounds. The firm offers blending, repacking, inventory management and logistics services via a network of distribution and sales locations throughout North and Central America.