Charitable Giving
Variety The Children’s Charity
Hy-Vee’s participation with Variety, an international organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, began in 1983 with a Cash for Kids program. Cash for Kids brought together grocery wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers and food brokers in a coupon redemption program to raise funds for children. Since its inception, Cash for Kids has generated millions of dollars for the organization. Other events, activities and programs raise additional funds each year. More than $6 million has been raised in the last 8 years. In fact, last year’s donation of $1 million was the highest annual contribution to Variety in the company’s history. The donation, presented during the 2009 Variety Telethon, was made possible through funds raised during the 2008 Hy-Vee Charity BratFest, an auction held during the 2008 Hy-Vee Triathlon and vendor promotions. Hy-Vee CEO Ric Jurgens and his wife Carol served as honorary chairs for the 35th annual Variety telethon event, which raised an estimated $3.17 million for Iowa’s children in need.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
Juvenile diabetes first struck the Hy-Vee family in 1921 when company cofounder Charles Hyde’s oldest son, Paul, died from the disease when he was 8 years old. As the needs of diabetic children grew, Hy-Vee dedicated its efforts to help the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation find a cure for the debilitating disease. Since 1998, the year former Hy-Vee CEO Ron Pearson was corporate chair for the Central Iowa JDRF Walk for the Cure, the company has donated almost $10 million. Funds are raised through a variety of corporate and store events, including walks throughout Hy-Vee land and Team Hy-Vee participation in Rides for the Cure throughout the United States. To honor Paul’s memory, the annual Charles Hyde Award is given to the Hy-Vee employee who raises the most money for JDRF.
The American Red Cross
In 2008 tornadoes and floods devastated the lives of thousands of people throughout the Midwest. Today, those most severely affected by the loss of their homes and possessions are still putting their lives back together. Many rely on the programs and generosity of the American Red Cross, whose budget was severely depleted during the rescue efforts. Recognizing the importance of such organizations in a community, the Hy-Vee Board of Directors, on behalf of the entire company, voted to donate $100,000 to the organization. The donation provides support both for the National American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and for local Red Cross chapters most in need as a result of the natural disasters of 2008.
Smiles For Education
One of the most innovative community involvement efforts ever undertaken is Hy-Vee’s Smiles For Education program. As the culmination of a year-long 75th anniversary celebration in 2005, the company donated $750,000 to K-12 schools throughout its seven-state operating area. One hundred schools received $7,500 each for the school’s general education fund. The program was so well-received that it has continued annually with a total of $500,000 donated to 100 randomly selected schools each year
While corporate giving is important, it is the community citizenship practiced at store level that makes Hy-Vee most proud. The company’s autonomous structure fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship that allows stores to custom-tailor their contributions to meet the needs of their communities. In the beginning, it took the form of donations of heating oil or a box of groceries to a family suffering through hard times during the Depression; today, it encompasses financial contributions to hundreds of causes, leadership roles in non-profit organizations and one-on-one volunteer contacts in the community. Whether it’s a Little League team or a Big League franchise, our stores are deeply passionate about their involvement in their communities, not only through product and financial support, but through volunteerism as well.
Hy-Vee, Procter & Gamble and Sara Lee partnered up to create the SMARTPOINTS Program. This program provides at least 200 SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards to local schools. Participants with the most points earned from winning schools also won a MacBook® computer for their child.
Results coming soon. Click here to learn more.
Honor Flight
Honor Flight took place on Tuesday, August 11, 2009. Hy-Vee donated $250,000 to send 350 central Iowa World War II veterans to Washington D.C. to receive free tours of the war memorials. Click here to view pictures from the flight. Learn more about this story at KCCI.com. To donate to the Honor Flight click here.
