Conquer Cancer Foundation: Acuity President and CEO Ben Salzmann (right) presents a check to Dave Wiemer, Philanthropic Officer at Conquer Cancer Foundation. Conquer Cancer Foundation received over $120,000 from Acuity, while five other charities received a total of nearly $380,000.
Sharon Richardson: Charmaine Conrad, Director of Development and Communications (far left), and volunteer Deanne Perez from Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice accept a check for over $77,000 from Acuity President and CEO Ben Salzmann (left) and Shane Paltzer, Vice President - Personal Lines and Marketing.
Salvation Army: CJ Cony, Development Director, and Captain Daryl Mangeri of the Salvation Army - Sheboygan accept a check for over $78,000 from Acuity President and CEO Ben Salzmann and Wendy Schuler, Vice President - Finance.
Safe Harbor: Safe Harbor Executive Director Laura Roenitz (left) accepts a check for nearly $81,000 from Acuity President and CEO Ben Salzmann and Sheri Murphy, Vice President - Services and Administration.
Mental Health America: Acuity Product Analyst Dana Bear (far left), President and CEO Ben Salzmann (middle), and Controller Adam Norlander present a check for nearly $92,000 to Trisha Erpelding, Education Coordinator (left), and Julie Preder, Executive Director, Mental Health America in Sheboygan County.
Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels of Sheboygan County CEO Kelly Heyn (left) accepts a check for nearly $51,000 from Acuity President and CEO Ben Salzmann and Melissa Winter, Vice President - Business Consulting.
Twelve years ago, Dave Wiemer received news that no husband wants to hear.
“On this exact date, December 12, my wife woke me at 4 in the morning in tears with intense abdominal pain. I rushed her to the emergency room, where ultrasounds revealed she had ovarian cancer. She was just 25,” Dave said, speaking to Acuity employees gathered for a Town Hall Meeting held at the insurer’s headquarters and live-streamed to employees across 27 states.
Fortunately, Dave’s wife recovered and has been cancer free for nine years. Unfortunately, he lost his father to brain cancer. However, both of these experiences have fueled Dave’s passion for supporting cancer research. Today, he is Philanthropic officer of Conquer Cancer Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding breakthrough research for patients of all types of cancer. And on December 12, Dave accepted a donation of over $120,000 from Acuity to support the foundation’s mission.
“Cancer happens to people at every age every day,” Dave said. “Funding cancer research provides treatment for patients who haven’t even been diagnosed yet. Your support makes sure patients have access to breakthrough treatments.”
The $120,000 donation was part of a total $500,000 contributed by Acuity to six different organizations. In addition to the Conquer Cancer Foundation, organizations included Meals on Wheels, Mental Health America, Safe Harbor, The Salvation Army, and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
Distribution of the $500,000 was directly determined by Acuity employees, who made the allocation through their votes at a Town Hall Meeting. This is the sixth consecutive year that Acuity employees have directed a special year-end contribution by the Acuity Charitable Foundation in support of the company’s philanthropic efforts.
“One of my favorite expressions is, ‘Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle,’” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity President and CEO. “Being kind and supporting our community is a priority for Acuity, particularly at the end of the year when charitable organizations battle with higher need for their services while facing budget constraints.”
The Conquer Cancer Foundation received the largest allocation. The other five groups each received donations ranging from $50,000 to $90,000. Acuity’s special $500,000 contribution adds to the company’s ongoing support to the community throughout the year. Guided by the Acuity Charitable Foundation, Acuity contributed over $1 million in 2018 to worthy organizations.
For more information, please contact communicationsdirector@acuity.com.