Nebraska – A gift from Mercer Zimmerman and its lighting manufacturers is continuing to make an impact across Nebraska as customers of the Midwest's leading lighting and controls agency chose the causes they care about through the company’s “Shining It Forward” initiative.
At its Light+ tradeshow at the Tenaska Center on September 17th, Mercer Zimmerman distributed charitable gift cards purchased through Give Nebraska to its customers in attendance. Rather than directing the gifts to a single organization, customers were invited to choose a participating Nebraska nonprofit to receive their gift.
As a result, $5,000 was directed to dozens of Nebraska nonprofits representing causes including education, health, human services, animal welfare, the arts, and environmental causes. Among the organizations selected were Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, Make-A-Wish, Flatwater Free Press, and Kearney Area Children’s Museum.
“We were excited to give our customers in the architectural, engineering, and design community the chance to support the places where we all live and work,” said Steve Clark, Mercer Zimmerman’s Branch Manager in Omaha. “Seeing those gifts flow into organizations strengthening Nebraska communities is exactly what ‘Shining It Forward’ is meant to do.”
“I was able to support an organization that was a light in my life during a very dark season and I feel like there is some beautiful symbolism in making this choice for this event,” commented one Mercer Zimmerman customer. “What a special facet of this event!”
Give Nebraska facilitated the charitable gift cards, allowing each recipient to designate their gift to the participating nonprofit of their choice.
“Mercer Zimmerman provided more than a charitable gift, they gave their customers the opportunity to make it personal,” said Melissa Filipi, Executive Director of Give Nebraska. “The result is a wonderful example of what can happen when you give people the freedom to support the causes that matter most to them. One gift became many acts of generosity throughout Nebraska.”
The initiative demonstrates another way businesses can incorporate charitable giving into client appreciation while allowing individuals to direct their generosity according to their own interests.
To learn more about Give Nebraska, designated giving, implementing or enhancing your workplace’s campaign with these great agencies, or donating directly, visit the website at www.givenebraska.org.
