Nothing about last year was expected. But despite the hardships and setbacks the COVID-19 pandemic brought, associates of JM Family Enterprises – the parent company of Southeast Toyota Finance – wasted no time helping our communities.
The company donated more than $43.7 million to nonprofit organizations, about 59% more than 2019’s contributions. But our associates were the heart of the action, adapting to changes by raising record amounts of money and volunteering at charitable organizations. From mask sewing to virtual walks, here are some of last year’s giving highlights.
Giving by the numbers
In 2020, JM Family associates:
- Raised a new record $1.2 million across all fundraising events
- Volunteered 4,070 hours of service
- Donated refurbished iPads for hospital patients to contact their families during quarantine
The company also donated $150,000 to the American Red Cross and an additional $150,000 was given to seven food bank partners like Feeding South Florida and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County to meet the urgent needs at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
JM Family sponsored the American Heart Association's mobile food pantry in South Florida.
Giving by the events
JM Family hosts multiple fundraising events each year, and 2020 was no exception. Here are some of the year’s most notable.
Associates Helping Associates
The Associates Helping Associates program gave $133,000 to 67 associates who needed immediate financial assistance during life’s most difficult times, such as a loss of a loved one or damage to their home following a nature disaster. During JM Family’s annual fundraising campaign, associates contributed more than $314,000 to the program through ongoing donations, raffles, Valentine’s Day candy gram sales and a concert by their peers, The Associates band.
Due to the pandemic, the nonprofit Feeding America estimates that 45 million people suffered from food insecurity in 2020 – 10 million more than in 2019. That’s why Ed Sheehy, president of Southeast Toyota Distributors, called on associates and Toyota dealers in the southeast to donate in a Hair Color Challenge. Participants who contributed to Feeding America could vote for Sheehy to dye his hair a new color.
After seven days and $226,000 raised, Ed revealed the winning color – JM Family teal!
BINGO with Brent
JM Family President and CEO Brent Burns hosted three virtual games of BINGO in August, where associates donated to receive a card. In the end, nearly $90,000 was raised to support seven Boys & Girls Clubs in their efforts to bring kids back into the clubs safely.
United Way
In JM Family’s first company-wide giving campaign, associates from all locations donated to their local United Way. The effort raised $666,374 in November to show gratitude for United Way’s services.
Happy Haul-idays Toy Drive
An event to cap off the year of giving, associates donated more than 1,000 toys and essential items to children and families in need during the Happy Haul-idays Toy Drive. Recipients could ask for what they wanted on a virtual wish list that donors referenced.
At JM Family, giving back is an integral part of who we are. We inspire action and engage our associates to strengthen the communities in which we live and work.