Safeguard Properties Receives Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service

AKRON, Ohio - Dec. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Safeguard Properties is pleased to announce that the company has been named a Medical Mutual 2014 Pillar Award for Community Service (http://www.sbnonline.com/article/2014-pillar-awards-honoring-greatness-name-outstanding-community-service/) recipient. Presenting Safeguard with the award was American Cancer Society Senior Director Community Engagement Sarah Wells.

The award honors organizations and individuals committed to making a difference in the northeast Ohio community. Its purpose is to encourage a charitable environment, recognize creative efforts that make a difference and demonstrate the ties between the for-profit and nonprofit worlds.

Safeguard’s employees have always been active participants in the communities where the company has offices. As the company grew to 1,700 employees and expanded outside of Northeast Ohio, the Safeguard Cares Committee was formed in 2011 to help centralize and coordinate the company’s fundraising efforts. The Cares Committee is made up of 30 employee volunteers from Safeguard’s five office locations in Ohio, Texas and Kentucky. Each location’s committee members are responsible for picking a charity and then planning and promoting the fundraising effort.

“I am proud of the gracious and giving nature of Safeguard’s employees. It is wonderful to see everyone come together to support so many deserving organizations. I think it is very important for companies to offer their employees the opportunity, during work hours, to support the causes that are near and dear to their hearts. At Safeguard, we consider it part of the employee’s work day and encourage our staff to get involved,” said Alan Jaffa, CEO of Safeguard Properties.

One of the highlights of 2014 included a unique twist on the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life where Safeguard, a 12-year participant, held its own, first-ever in Northeast Ohio, on-site corporate Relay For Life at each of its three Ohio locations. The event took place during the workday with more than 455 employees participating. More than $22,600 was raised, which included a matching gift from Safeguard and Safeguard’s Founder and Chairman Robert Klein.

Since its launch in 2011, the Safeguard Cares Committee has helped raise money, secure donated goods, services and volunteer hours for more than 20 organizations, including the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity and Friendship Circle. Safeguard was honored at a ceremony held at LaCentre in Westlake, Ohio on December 2.