While many companies are tightening their budget belts and agencies and organizations are reporting significant declines in charitable receipts, Dande Company, a Tacoma retailer of custom awards and gifts, is bucking the trend with plans to increase their giving back into the community.
To focus their efforts, Dande Company is launching a new campaign, We're In This Together: Community First, with a two-pronged approach to make monetary contributions to groups and organizations operating to enhance the quality of life within the community and to educate the public about the importance of purchasing locally.
"With the economy so tough right now, all the way to the national and international levels, many people are wondering what to do," observes Michaele Arneson, owner of Dande Company. "We've decided that the best place to start is right here in our community, that we need to help make our community function well, and when our community functions well, we'll all benefit in the long run. We're going to be bold and take the first step in reaching out."
"We've always contributed to the community, through sponsorships, in-kind donations, and other discounts. For years, we've had a program in place to provide youth sports participation trophies at no cost to military children with deployed parents. But everyone is struggling these days, so we want to broaden our reach."
Keeping in line with their past giving philosophy, Dande Company's contributions will be focused on groups and organizations serving the area's youth. "It may be cliché," admits Arneson, "but the children are our future. Right now it is very important that the groups that help teach the kids teamwork, leadership, and self-sufficiency are able to continue to provide their services despite the economic downturn."
While simultaneously continuing to support area youth organizations, Arneson also recognizes the need to educate and encourage others to support their community by purchasing locally.
"It's so easy to just sit down in front of the computer and buy things online," says Arneson, "but most of the time when we do that, we're taking money out of our local economy and giving it to someone else. We can't expect our local situation to make a positive change unless we make purposeful decisions to spend money locally where that money pays local wages, contributes to local tax-based services, and allows local businesses to thrive, thus continuing the positive cycle of economic recovery."
"We're in this together," concludes Arneson. "We want to see our community get through this tough time and turn things around. We hope that others will join us.
About Dande Company:
Dande Company, home to Tacoma's Tallest Trophy, has provided custom awards and gifts to the Puget Sound community for more than 40 years. Visit them on the web at www.dandeco.com
Contact:
Michaele Arneson
Dande Company
253-474-3434
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