The Next Big Give
Dallas Market Center is looking for retailers that are giving back in their communities. Whether spending time serving at a local food bank; holding a fundraising event to benefit a worthy cause; or collecting goods for an organization in need – retailers generously helping their communities.
The Next Big Give 2012 winners are:
A. Dodson’s — Suffolk, Va.
A. Dodson’s Owner Alison Dodson Anderson learned the spirit of giving directly from her parents. During her childhood, Alison’s father, a local dentist in her hometown, often exchanged his services with patients who could only afford to pay him with a livestock chicken or free yard work. Spurred by the pride and appreciation for her father’s generosity, Alison began giving back through her store immediately following its opening seven years ago. A. Dodson’s supports numerous causes including blood drives, toy and school supply drives, even donating $12,000 to Taylor Bend YMCA to assist in building a new facility.
Even after giving back in a variety of ways, Alison wanted a means to focus her store’s giving efforts. Her search led to the development of The A. Dodson’s Round Up, a program allowing customers to round up the cost of each purchase to the nearest dollar and have the extra cents donated to charity. A. Dodson’s publishes a poll on its Facebook page in order for customers to choose the cause the Round Up funds will be donated to at the end of each month. Charities can easily apply by simply emailing their name, contact information, and confirmation of their 501c3 status to roundup@adodsons.com. In 2011, A. Dodson’s gave more than $2,500 to various charity organizations. For more information on A. Dodson’s visit www.adodsons.com.
Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy — Tyler, Texas
Originally operating under the name “Brookshire Brothers”, Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy was founded in 1928 by Wood T. Brookshire in Tyler, Texas. Since its inception, Brookshire’s has grown to 150 stores spanning three states—Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Wood founded the company with a foremost concern for the well-being of others, which continues to influence the company today.
Brookshire’s has been giving back to the communities in which it operates since its founding. In 2008, the Community Connections program was founded to enable Brookshire’s employees to assist with the causes important to each store’s local community. Employees form teams by store or non-retail department and gather to volunteer an average of four times per year with the cause of their choice. Last year, Brookshire’s donated more than 28,000 documented volunteer hours and more than $1.5 million to various charitable causes. One notable effort was its World War II Heroes Flight in May 2011, in which Brookshire’s sent 33 World War II veterans to Washington, District of Columbia, all expenses paid, where they visited several war memorials and the U.S. Capitol building. For more information on Brookshire’s visit www.brookshires.com.
The Next Big Give 2012 finalists are:
A. Dodson’s — Suffolk, Va.
This gift, home décor and apparel store has donated to charity since its opening more than 10 years ago, but owner Alison Dodson Anderson wanted a way to focus its giving efforts. Her search led to the development of A. Dodson’s Round Up, a program allowing customers to round up the cost of each purchase to the nearest dollar and have the extra cents donated to charity. A. Dodson’s publishes a poll on its Facebook page in order for customers to choose the cause the Round Up funds will be donated to at the end of each month. In 2011, A. Dodson’s gave more than $2,500 to various charity organizations.Advantage Bridal — Torrance, Calif.
Stemming from her personal experience with breast cancer and reconstructive surgery, bridal store owner Sandy Keller founded Breastoration, an organization that provides assistance to financially-challenged and uninsured women seeking reconstructive surgery after undergoing mastectomy, along with two other breast cancer survivors. Breastoration also distributes breast cancer-related educational materials and has its own line of pink ribbon themed apparel and accessories, which are sold at Advantage Bridal. The proceeds from this line go to Breastoration’s efforts. The first Breastoration fundraising event in September 2011 raised more than $100,000.Belladonna — New Orleans, La.
After being heavily involved in dog rescue efforts following Hurricane Katrina, owner Kim Dudek founded Dag’s House, a non-profit housing and rehabilitation center for special needs dogs. This venture was funded almost entirely by her day spa and home accents store, Belladonna. Dudek also recently founded Belladoggie, a dog rehabilitation facility that is an extension of both Belladonna and Dag’s House.Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy — Tyler, Texas
Founded in 1928, Brookshire’s grocer has now grown to more than 150 stores. Through its Community Connections program, each store is able to focus on the charitable needs of the community in which it is located. The company makes more than 800 charitable contributions each year. One notable effort was its World War II Heroes Flight in May 2011, in which Brookshire’s sent 33 World War II veterans to Washington, District of Columbia, all expenses paid, where they visited several war memorials and the U.S. Capitol building.Capitol Lighting — Boca Raton, Fla.
The owners and employees at this lighting and home fixtures store have contributed hundreds of thousands in cash and merchandise to more than 100 charitable organizations in recent years. The store’s current focus is on Habitat for Humanity. Capitol Lighting not only donates lighting fixtures to the organization’s home building efforts, but the store’s employees also donate volunteer time by being hands on in the building process. Capitol Lighting’s “Making Lives Brighter” campaign is running through February 2012, and gives customers the opportunity to donate to Habitat for Humanity in exchange for a discount. Elizabeth Fashions — Schererville, Ind.
Eight years ago, Owner Elizabeth Woodbury was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease. Soon after, she founded the Annual Style Show to Benefit Parkinson Disease which is sponsored by her women’s apparel boutique. All of the proceeds from this event are donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the American Parkinson Disease Association. To date, more than $190,000 has been raised for the two organizations through Elizabeth’s event. The 8th annual Style Show will be held in May 2012.Here on the Corner — Tempe, Ariz.
After buying the women’s apparel and accessories boutique in May 2011, Owner Julie Kent set a goal for her employees—the store would hold a fundraising event each month. One of the store’s most successful events was A Race for Maggie’s Place, which included a 10K, 9K, and 5K run, with all of the proceeds benefitting Maggie’s Place, a community of housing for homeless pregnant women. Here on the Corner was the title sponsor for the event and allocated approximately $5,000 to fund t-shirts, prizes, and gift bags for the event.Peacock Alley — Dallas, Texas
Inspired by the charitable work of his mother, owner Jason Needleman has worked through his luxury home interiors and bedding business with Community Partners of Dallas (CPD) for more than 15 years. One of the main focuses of Peacock Alley’s giving efforts is the CPD Toy Drive. Each year, Jason heads the toy drive and donates 5,000 square feet of Peacock Alley warehouse space to house the toys collected through the drive. Peacock Alley also serves as a drop off point for the toy drive and the distribution center for the organization and wrapping of the toys.University of Colorado Hospital Gift Shop — Aurora, Colo.
Founded in 1957 by volunteers from the University of Colorado Hospital Faculty Wives Club, the hospital gift shop donates 100 percent of its annual profits to fund patient care projects that are not part of the regular hospital budget. The donations are allotted to various needs including improving patients’ stay in the hospital, the support of indigent patient needs, assisting patients and their families as they cope with serious illness, and much more. Over the years, more than 1 million dollars has been donated through the gift shop’s efforts.Walk on Water — Longwood, Fla.
Owner Roxane Mann has made the mission of her gift, accessories and apparel boutique to make a difference in the lives of those in their community. The store’s charitable efforts go to numerous causes. Recently, Walk on Water held a 5K for Safehouse of Seminole, a local domestic abuse shelter for women and children. The event had more than 400 participants and raised more than $10,000 for the organization. The store also sells a special themed t-shirt each month to raise money for various causes. The proceeds from the current “Believe” shirt are donated to a young girl with brain cancer.Now, get out there and give back! We promise to do the same.
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Important Dates | |
|---|---|
| December 9, 2011 | Deadline for applications (now closed) |
| January 9, 2012 | Ten finalists announced |
| February 14, 2012 | Two winners announced |
| March 22-25, 2012 | Dallas March Markets |