What Giving Means to Us: A Letter from Our CEO
Dec 14th 2022
Here at Danforth Pewter, we talk a lot about caring.
We care deeply about our co-workers and their families. We care about our customers. We care about our communities, local, national, and global.
As we approach Christmas and the end of the year, it’s a good time to see if what we’re doing lives up to what we’re saying.
One of our favorite ways to give back is by donating Danforth products to effective organizations, either as prizes for events, silent auction items, or gifts for volunteers. Over the past few years, we’ve donated to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, the American Cancer Society, Dragonboat (breast cancer research and survivor support), the Humane Society, Let’s Grow Kids (quality affordable childcare), the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (supporting young filmmakers), the Ride4CMT (research for a cure for CMT), the United Way, VBSR (Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility), the Vermont Fresh Network (supporting local farmers), VPIRG (public interest group), and many others.
Every November, to honor the men and women in our armed services, we donate 30% of our sales of any of our pieces featuring poppies to the Wounded Warrior Project. As I write this, we're just about to send them this year's check, for $5,763.00.
This past spring, we donated 50% of proceeds from sales of our sunflower-themed pieces to the Ukraine Orphan Rescue, working to evacuate and foster children orphaned by the war in Ukraine. The donation came out to just over $9,000.
We also care about the environment and the world we live in, not only for its own sake, but also for the wellbeing of the people who live in it.
Because we believe all our neighbors deserve clean air, we are working toward zero fossil fuel use.
We built a solar farm that produces more electricity than we use, we put heat pumps into our workshop, and we installed an electric car charging station at our flagship store. We’re a long way from zero, but we’re moving in the right direction.
Caring is not new to Danforth. In fact, it's built into our foundation. It's been a core value since day one.
Our founders, Fred & Judi Danforth, created a caring company. A company that actually cares about family and community and the environment draws people who share those values.
Having people who share those values in turn makes Danforth a more caring place.
We give because that’s who we are.
To end the year on a strong note of giving, we're planning to donate a portion of all sales from December 26-31 to Feeding America, who partners with food banks, policymakers, supporters, and local communities to promote equitable access to nutritious food for all. A portion of the sales from each of our retail stores will go to local food banks throughout New England and Virginia. Stay tuned for more details.
From our hearts to yours, thank you for allowing Danforth Pewter to be a part of your holidays, your traditions, and your lives.