Make An Impact Foundation Donates $30,000 to three Charlotte area projects

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Dec. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- When Adam Boatsman and Dale Gillmore set out to build their CPA firm, their ambition was to create a firm which went well beyond traditional tax and audit work; they wanted to “make an impact” on their client’s business success. This passion translated into a commitment to making a similar impact in their community as well. This two-pronged approach resulted in the establishment of Make An Impact Foundation (http://www.makeanimpactnow.org.)  Four years and more than $100,000 in project funding later, the Foundation continues to “Make An Impact” in the Charlotte community. This year’s grants, an additional $30,000, will enable volunteers and trained service Labradors to service children safely, provide a comforting lodge/living room setting for at-risk children and youth to meet with therapists and put 15 additional reading tutors (900 hours) into Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Additionally, the Foundation has added two co-executive directors Dr. Sean Preston and Jennifer Nichols to manage resources and introduced a new logo to engage more community support. “Make An Impact” indeed!

At the annual Boatsman Gillmore Wagner ( http://www.trustbgw.com) client appreciation and Make An Impact Foundation benefit, Dale Gillmore announced the foundation would distribute $30,000 in the 2014-15 year:  $12,000 to Charlotte-based Augustine Literary Project (www.augustine.st-peters.org), $12,000 to Waxhaw-based Project2Heal Project (http://www.project2heal.org) and $6,000 to Gastonia-based Bit of Hope Ranch Project (http://www.bitofhoperanch.org).  This grant is the Ranch’s second Make An Impact grant.  These projects were selected over twenty-one other projects nominated for the awards.

“Our goal was to create a foundation which promotes the well-being of underprivileged children in our community,” says Gillmore. “This year’s grant recipients will serve children who may be emotionally or physically hurting or just “falling through the cracks” in getting the help they deserve. We’re here to show that a little bit of hope and care can make a significant impact in their lives, and in turn, our lives!”

To broaden the community footprint of the Make An Impact Foundation, Dale Gillmore also introduced Dr. Sean Preston and Jennifer Nichols as co-Executive Directors to provide insight and oversight for the Foundation.  Dr. Preston is Head of the School at the John Crosland School (www.johncroslandschool.org) and Nichols serves as the school’s Director of Institutional Advancement.  “Every day, Sean and Jennifer work with children with specific attention and learning differences,” notes Gillmore.  “They see the possibilities, the opportunities and the synergies within the work of the Make An Impact Foundation.  They will allow us to maximize our efforts and we are grateful for their dedication to the Make An Impact Foundation.”

Since its inception, Boatsman Gillmore Wagner clients, associates and community friends supported and embraced the work of the Make An Impact Foundation.  As the Foundation grew, Dale Gillmore and his team realized the need for a new logo to reflect this growing interest and outreach.  Describes Gillmore, “We wanted to visually show our mission: to nurture and support children, to allow them to grow into their own potential, to celebrate their individual achievements and accomplishments. Our new logo tells our vision and why we are so passionate about the Make An Impact Foundation!”