KDI Cares Foundation, the non-profit arm of KDI Office Technology, continued its mission of giving back to the community in which it serves during the fall and winter of 2021. This past year, the organization and KDI employees focused their efforts on fighting breast cancer through its annual Pink Ball Golf Outing, spreading holiday cheer to area youth via the 4th Annual Jaws Holiday Bike Drive, and supporting a veteran by adopting his family through the Stars and Stripes, Bars and Pipes organization.
“We are so happy to be able to give back to our community, especially after this past year. So, many organizations saw fewer donations due to the pandemic,” said Rick Salcedo, President/CEO of KDI Office Technology. “I can’t thank our team enough for their generosity. Year-after-year we ask for their contributions – not only financial but also the donation of their time. I am very proud of what we can do when we pull together. Their generosity and kindness is immeasurable.”
Pink Ball Golf Tournament
In the fall, KDI Office Technology, through their non-profit, KDI Cares Foundation, hosted its third Annual Pink Ball Golf Tournament at Ron Jaworski’s Ramblewood Country Club in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Between sponsors, donors, and golfers, $70,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Kimberly S. Reed, cancer survivor and author of the best-selling book, “Optimists Always Win,” was the keynote speaker and spoke about embracing the power of optimism and putting adversity in the rearview mirror.
“The American Cancer Society is incredibly grateful to have KDI as a Flagship partner of our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program in Greater Philadelphia, not only in 2021, but over the last 4 years,” said Alex Basseches, Senior Corporate Relations Manager for American Cancer Society, Inc.’s Northeast Region. “During that span they’ve contributed more than $230,000 and their generosity has helped ACS make an impact in the fight against cancer. It’s partners like KDI who enable us to invest more than $69 million in breast cancer research, educate people with information to navigate their cancer journey, advocate for increased access to care like screening services, and expand patient services.”
The Pink Ball golf Outing honors the memory and legacy of Rick Salcedo’s brother-in-law, Tom Germanovich. This annual event was also created to bring awareness to male breast cancer and to encourage both men and women to get annually checked. KDI Cares Foundation is in the process of planning its fourth Annual Pink Ball Golf Outing which will be held on September 22, 2022. For more information, email [email protected].
4th Annual Jaws Holiday Bike Drive
In December, KDI Cares Foundation supported the local youth through Ron Jaworski’s 4th Annual Jaws Holiday Bike Drive as a $2500 Silver Bell Sponsor. Through this sponsorship designation, 25 bikes, 25 locks, and 25 helmets were donated. Over the past four years, Jaws Youth Playbook has given away over 1,000 bikes to underserved children during the holiday season.
In a letter to Rick Salcedo, Ron Jaworski showed his appreciation for KDI and his involvement. “Thank you for your generous support,” said Jaworski. “During these challenging times of Covid-19, my foundation, Jaws Youth Playbook, was able to continue our tradition of giving bikes to hundreds of underserved youth in the spirit of the holiday season.” Each year, the organization selects a new community in the Philadelphia area, and this year brought joy and smiles to the Community Center at Visitation. “Your donation is deeply appreciated by my foundation, and the youth in Kensington and ultimately the youth impacted.”
Giving Back to a Family In Need
For six years, KDI Office Technology has teamed up with its employees to support a local family in need over the holidays. Late December, they worked with Stars and Stripes, Bars and Pipes, a non-profit organization out of Holmes, PA who is very active in the local community and focuses on helping veterans and first responders. A local 15-year Army veteran named Pete and his three boys were selected for KDI’s charitable giving endeavor. The veteran and his family had been hit with a string of very bad luck, losing everything but the clothes on their back. KDI was touched by Pete’s story. $3000 was raised through the company’s annual holiday party via highly coveted raffle baskets and 50/50 sales. Additionally winter clothes and jackets were collected and presented.
“From one of his children being a victim of a violent crime, to Pete being in terrible motorcycle accident and out of work during a long recovery, to their home being flooded by Hurricane Ida, and the entire family also being infected with Covid-19, the heartache was more than any one family should ever have to bear,” said Crystal Manning, who sits on the KDI Cares Foundation board. “The club’s members were even more touched that we were able to help one of their own,” said Manning. KDI was presented with a certificate to show their appreciation for adopting a veteran and his family during the holiday season.
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ABOUT KDI CARES FOUNDTION
KDI Cares Foundation, the non-profit arm of KDI Office Technology, was created to assist local, charitable organizations in raising funds to support their causes through internal and external fundraisers, drives, raffles, auctions, and events. The organization raises money for the local community. Employees at KDI regularly give back to the community through “fun”raising activities and are committed to ensuring no one fights breast cancer alone.
KDI Cares Foundation is an American Cancer Society Flagship Sponsor for their dedication to their organization. Since the fall of 2018, the Foundation has donated more than $230,000.00 to the cause. They are also annual participants in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Greater Philadelphia & Southern NJ Walk in Pennsauken, NJ. To learn more about KDI Cares Foundation, please visit https://www.kdi-inc.com/kdi-cares-foundation/.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org.
ABOUT JAWS YOUTH PLAYBOOK
Jaws Youth Playbook (JYP) focuses on a mission to improve the overall health and wellness of at-risk youth, primarily in the Greater Philadelphia Region. JYP does this by raising awareness and advocating for the access to safe play and healthy choices, and supporting programs providing positive youth health and wellness platforms. JYP focuses on three Pillars of: Environment (access to play and physical play spaces), Nutrition, and advocacy. JawsYouthPlaybook.org
ABOUT STARS AND STRIPES, BARS AND PIPES
Stars and Stripes, Bars and Pipes Organization was established in December of 2016 as a non-profit organization that helps families honor the return of their active, retired and deceased military. As a non-profit organization, they collect donations of clothing, non-perishables, toiletries and monetary contributions to help homeless veterans get back on their feet. They also support first responders such as police, emergency medical, fire fighters and their families by putting on events to raise awareness to the public such as escorts, motorcycle runs, fundraisers, flag lines, attending funerals of veterans and first responders, and attending community events. They also support other area motorcycle organizations in their missions. http://www.starsstripesbarspipes.com/home.html.
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