Acuity distributed $660,000 to charity after employees chose the recipients and a December town hall style meeting.
Based on employee votes, Safe Harbor received the largest allocation of nearly $150,000. The other five groups each received donations ranging from nearly $36,000 to more than $112,000.
“Safe Harbor is working to create a community that is free of violence. Safe Harbor is about hope—restoring hope that you can get through this, that it is going to be OK, and that you are worthy of living, not just surviving,” said Kelsi Engelhardt, Safe Harbor Director of Prevention and Education. “Acuity truly is one of our most generous donors. We could not do the work without Acuity being part of that mission.”
Other organizations receiving funds were:
- Mental Health America Lakeshore, $112,000
- Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, $72,000
- Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, $71,000
- Fresh Meals on Wheels, $59,000
- Salvation Army, $36,000
This is the 11th consecutive year that Acuity employees have directed a special year-end contribution, which adds to the company’s longstanding tradition of philanthropy.
“The need for services provided by these organizations has never been greater,” said Melissa Winter, Acuity President. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to share our financial strength with these organizations, to support our community, and to fulfill our common purpose that begins with the statement, ‘With kind hearts, we dare to care.’”
Additionally, each Acuity employee was invited to choose any qualifying charity to receive a $100 donation from Acuity, for a total of $160,000.
“Since Acuity’s major initiative to fund charitable giving began in1999, we have donated nearly $26 million to the community, not just to give back but to help create new services and facilities that benefit those in need. We have worked to build a significant community presence, and we value the causes that matter to our employees,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity CEO.
Additionally, the holiday season highlighted efforts from Acuity’s staff that made a difference in the local community. For instance, over 110 employees from the insurer’s Business Consulting department volunteered at numerous charitable organizations on a special charity workshop day, and the Acuity gift drive collected hundreds of items for Sheboygan County Health and Human Services, representing the largest donation of much-needed items the organization received in 2023.
