$100,000 RUPPERT NURSERIES DONATION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN DISABILITY CARE
February 26, 2008
Laytonsville, MD — /On the heels of a $100,000 donation toward construction of The Easter Seals’ Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Inter–Generational Center in downtown Silver Spring, Rich Schubach, a Ruppert Nurseries partner and branch manager states, "We’re proof that a small company can make a big difference." He continues, "Over the years, we’ve created a company culture that recognizes giving back is an important part of how we do business. About three years ago, we made a commitment to spend 5% of our budgeted profit to charitable giving. It’s been a positive incentive to help achieve our goals, knowing that we’re working for more than ourselves. In 2007 alone, we supported at least 50 non–profit organizations with financial, in–kind or labor and material donations. This donation is, by far, the largest single gift we’ve been able to grant."
The company chose Easter Seals for several reasons. "Over the past decade, Ruppert employees have become personally involved with Easter Seals in a variety of ways," notes Chris Davitt, president of Ruppert Nurseries. "Some have raised funds for the annual campaign, some have helped to landscape or spruce up their various sites, some have made personal friends with an Easter Seals client and almost all have — one year or another — attended Easter Seals’ annual Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey circus event. Easter Seals represents an organization that allows us to become personally involved, which goes hand in hand with our wanting to make a difference in our communities." Davitt adds, "The other reason we chose this organization was the project itself. This is the first center built in our region to serve both children and seniors with disabilities in the same location. Not only will it serve each group, it will encourage interaction between the ages. This represents a breakthrough in disability care and gives us an opportunity to be on the ground floor of something great."
Lisa Reeves, president of Easter Seals Greater Washington–Baltimore Region, notes that "This is a company that really believes in ’to give is to receive.’ They understand that there are a host of employee benefits that go along with helping others out. We’re truly grateful to be on the receiving end of their generosity."
The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Inter–Generational Center, located at 1420 Spring Street, will open late this Spring. Schubach sums up, "This donation paves the way for other major gifts in the future. For me and for a lot of others in our company, that’s motivation to work hard and to continue to make our customers happy. We get to share what we earn."
Ruppert Nurseries, Inc. provides commercial landscape installation and landscape management services in the mid–Atlantic regions and includes branches in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Georgia. The company also operates a 475–acre wholesale tree nursery in Montgomery County, MD.
Contact: Amy Snyder
Phone: (301) 482-0300
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