As part of this campaign, Avnet is donating $1,000 (USD) to 100 eligible nonprofits globally for a total of $100,000. These 100 nonprofits will be identified from stories Avnet employees share describing their volunteer efforts. Eligible nonprofits from these stories will be entered into monthly drawings held throughout Avnet’s centennial year.
Congratulations to the July winners:
AdVita: This organization focuses on supporting children and adults undergoing cancer treatment in St. Petersburg, Russia or those traveling for treatment abroad. The Avnet employee who submitted this organization met and became friends with an AdVita patient from Russisa via social media. The patient writes in Facebook about her bone marrow donor, “I have the feeling that she is embracing me across the distance from her continent to mine. And through this invisible embrace, my whole life receives a greater meaning.”
Arizona Science Center: Avnet is a long-time supporter of the Arizona State Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF) which is administered by the Arizona Science Center. The mission of AzSEF is to support and provide guidance to students and teachers throughout Arizona and ensure the continued availability and vitality of this statewide celebration of scientific inquiry for the citizens of Arizona.
BET SHE CAN: Employee Elisa Mazzone submitted this organization which introduces girls to new professions, some unusual, through playing and collaborating with older youngsters studying technical programs. The philosophy of BET SHE CAN is all about getting things done with a high level of quality and persistent impact, using innovative and inclusive methods. Their approach towards STEM projects for girls is unique as it combines a younger target (in comparison to the traditional middle school / high school approach), before stereotypes have time to become established, and a complete set of tools (not only STEM topical knowledge) including self-esteem and awareness workshops.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS): Avnet employee John Hunter signed up to be a Big Brother back in April 2007 when his assigned Little, Tony, was 8 years old. “We hung out for 3-4 hours almost every Saturday until he reached 13 and then moved to monthly fun days. Tony is now 22 years old, a registered nurse and a fine young man. Helping to expand Tony’s opportunities and witness the growth in this young man was amazing. We are still friends and get together four times a year to laugh and reconnect. BBBS is an outstanding program to help ensure our youth do not get left behind due to no fault of their own.”
Dig Deep: Employee Ashley Cooper nominated Dig Deep, a non-profit that works to supply clean drinking water to Native American tribes in the Southwest United States (including the Navajo tribe in Arizona). “Due to lack of running water, Natives have to carry water from wells each day, sometimes carrying it for miles to return home. Lack of water leads to sanitation issues, as well as seeking alternative sources of hydration, including larger consumption of sugary drinks, which leads to higher rates of diabetes.”
Elderly Advocates: Employee Amy Sledzik is passionate about supporting Elderly Advocates, as they have been making a positive impact to improve quality care in long-term care facilities in Ohio. “I am partial to this non-profit as my mother is the founder and I have watched her grow it with care and commitment from the ground up, as a grass roots organization.”
Friends of City Dogs, Cleveland: Dan Murphy submitted this organization which provides health care and other services to stray dogs up for adoption. He volunteers by walking the dogs and providing other enrichment activities for the animals at the shelter.
Illinois Leadership Seminars (ILS): Through ILS programs, students interact with leaders in industry, government, the arts, education, and the media, meeting a diverse world of leaders and leadership styles. Students are then challenged to discover and unleash their own leadership potential in their schools and communities, using the tools and resources made available to them at ILS. “We at Illinois Leadership Seminars don’t tell our participants what to think, or even how to think, but stress the importance of careful thought for our world’s future leaders,” said the employee who submitted this organization.
Ladder Up: Ladder Up participates in the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to offer free tax return assistance to low income households. The Avnet employee who submitted this organization has been volunteering with them as an income tax preparer since 2016. “Many of our clients do not have savings, so the refund they receive provides real financial relief and opportunity. I get the satisfaction of helping them secure this money and what it represents.”
Myranda’s Mended Souls: The employee who submitted this organization fosters dogs until they can find their forever homes. “I helped with adoption events before COVID and look forward to being able to get back to adoption events soon.”
Phoenix Zoo (AZ Center for Nature Conservation) – Avnet employee Mary Pederson submitted her volunteer story about the Phoenix Zoo. “My love for the animals and how they can be used to educate people lead me to start volunteering at the zoo. I can now be found most Saturday mornings volunteering at the Phoenix Zoo’s Animal Ambassador Resources Center. These animals help us to educate guests of all ages about the animal, their natural habitat, and ways that our guests can use conservation to make a difference and protect wildlife around the world, so future generations can continue to enjoy seeing and caring for these beautiful animals.”
St. Vincent de Paul: Avnet has been a long-time supporter of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix. This organization is dedicated to serving the poor and providing others to opportunity to serve. In Phoenix, Avnet employees have helped serve meals to the homeless and provided water to those in need during the hot summer months.
Throwaway Ponies Horse Rescue: Employee Midge Tranberg joined this organization in 2011 to find herself, but she found so much more. “I was able to help unwanted, abused or just thrown away horses and donkeys and give them a new purpose, a new spirit, and their health — all while helping the youth in our communities to gain confidence, find themselves, overcome speech issues, calm those with Autism through horse therapy.”
The Trussell Trust: This organization was submitted for 100 Acts of Giving because they provide a Food Bank for vulnerable people across the UK.
Yuva Unstoppable: Employee Nisarg Shah has been associated with this organization since 2013 and volunteers by educating children on subjects like English & Science, participating in the cleanliness drive and traffic awareness program, and helping at elderly Homes and orphanages.
Company: Avnet
