Mental Health America Lakeshore: Dana Bear, Dawn Rousse, Keegan Rhynas, Julie Preder, and Rev. Kristal Klemme from Mental Health America Lakeshore accept a check for nearly $133,000 from Acuity’s Adam Norlander and Ben Salzmann.
Safe Harbor: Acuity’s Sheri Murphy and Ben Salzmann present a check for $104,000 to Safe Harbor’s Britta West, Courtney Stewart, and Vanessa VanderWeele.
Dave Wiemer from Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, accepts a check for nearly $84,000 from Acuity’s Alissa Burgos and Ben Salzmann.
Sharon S. Richardson: Joe Zenk and Charmaine Conrad from Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice accept a check for over $81,000 from Acuity’s Shane Paltzer and Ben Salzmann.
Fresh Meals on Wheels: CEO Allison Thompson, Amy Stader, Alyssa Miller, Wendy Kaeppler, and Molly Mata from Fresh Meals on Wheels accept a check for over $71,000 from Acuity’s Wally Waldhart and Ben Salzmann
The Salvation Army: Lt. Wiley and Lt. Heather Gladney of The Salvation Army accept a check for over $26,000 from Acuity’s Wendy Schuler and Ben Salzmann.
At a December 2022 Town Hall meeting, Acuity employees determined the distribution of $500,000 among six different charitable organizations. Those organizations included Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation; Fresh Meals on Wheels; Mental Health America; Safe Harbor; The Salvation Army; and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
Based on employee votes, Mental Health America Lakeshore received the largest allocation of nearly $133,000. The other five groups each received donations ranging from over $26,000 to $104,000.
“The state of mental health in our nation is at a breaking point, and our goal is to fill that gap with education, training, support groups, and advocacy in the community,” said Mental Health America Lakeshore’s Dana Bear, Director of Strategy and Partnerships.
“Acuity’s donation helps fund programs in our schools,” added Executive Director Julie Preder.
“We must help the younger generation with how to prepare their minds and focus.”
Additionally, each Acuity employee was invited to choose any qualifying charity to receive a $100 donation from Acuity, for a total of more than $150,000.
“Acuity’s common purpose begins with the statement, ‘With kind hearts, we dare to care,’ and supporting our community is one way we show that care,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity President and CEO. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to charitable organizations in our community now and throughout every year.”
This is the tenth consecutive year that Acuity employees have directed a special year-end contribution, which adds to the company’s longstanding tradition of philanthropy. Over the past 10 years, Acuity has made over $21 million in charitable contributions.
Acuity Insurance, headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, insures over 125,000 businesses, including 300,000 commercial vehicles, and nearly a half million homes and private passenger autos across 30 states. Rated A+ by AM Best and S&P, Acuity employs over 1,500 people.