Woburn, MA – Cummings Properties announced its employees recently directed nearly half a million dollars to local nonprofits. Through Cummings Community Giving, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm annually invites staff members to each select a local nonprofit to receive up to $2,000 from the company in their name.
The program, now in its 12th year, aims to support the communities where Cummings team members live and work. This cycle’s $495,000 will help fund more than 200 causes in approximately 100 local cities and towns.
Mike Kashgegian
“Corporate citizenship is about more than just giving back,” said Cummings Properties president, Eric Anderson. “It’s about giving everyone a voice, and allowing all values to be represented in the process.”
Team members select their causes for any number of reasons. Associate Purchasing Manager Mike Kashgegian, an eight-year Cummings colleague, annually directs his donation to Perkins School for the Blind. “It’s a great opportunity to support a local organization,” said Kashgegian. “I’ve lived in Watertown for nearly 15 years, and the school is practically right next door.”
Account Manager Shannon DePierro and her husband, Carpentry Team Leader Mike DePierro, each directed $2,000 to Amirah. The Beverly-based organization provides support for women seeking to exit the commercial sex trade. “We felt passionate about contributing to a nonprofit that helps underserved individuals,” they said. “Amirah works with a stigmatized, often traumatized population whose unique needs likely aren’t being directly addressed by many other organizations. And when we learned that Amirah happens to be a Cummings leasing client, we were even more gratified by our selections.”
Cummings Community Giving is open to staff at Cummings Properties as well as its affiliated senior living communities, New Horizons at Choate, in Woburn, and New Horizons at Marlborough. In recent years, the program has expanded to include longtime leasing clients and Cummings Foundation volunteers.
Each eligible nonprofit may receive up to $6,000 per cycle. Through this year’s employee cycle, 20 recipients reached the maximum, including Boston Children’s Hospital, Friends of Woburn Veterans, Jamie McKeown Boys & Girls Club of Woburn, Cape Ann Animal Aid, and Marlborough Fire Department.
