7 Burlington residents to select local charities for $1,000 donations

This month, Cummings Properties is once again inviting all of its regular full-time staff members, including several Burlington residents, to select local charities to receive $1,000 donations in their names from the Company.

“Employee Directed Giving” began in 2012 as a pilot program for staff with at least 10 years of service. It has since expanded to include every regular full-time employee of the 44-year-old Woburn-based commercial real estate firm, as well as its affiliated New Horizons retirement communities in Woburn and Marlborough.

“Employee Directed Giving allows the Company to support local communities while honoring colleagues for all of their hard work and dedication,” said Dennis Clarke, Cummings Properties’ president and CEO.

Designated nonprofits must meet the program’s eligibility requirements. For example, funds may not be donated for religious, lobbying, or political purposes. In addition, due to the Company’s focus on supporting local communities, charities must be based in and serve Middlesex, Essex, or Suffolk County, or the city or town in which the employee lives.

Organizations are eligible to receive up to $5,000 per program cycle, if multiple staff members designate the same nonprofit. Knowing that the contribution comes at no cost to the employee, some local charities that have connections with Cummings staff members have begun reaching out and asking to be considered.

Cummings Properties has a direct presence in 10 greater Boston communities, including Burlington, where it manages the building at 101 Cambridge Street. Seven Cummings organization staff members reside in Burlington, including Suzanne Lee, senior design assistant for more than nine years at the corporate headquarters in Woburn.

“It is great that we are given the opportunity to choose an organization that is right in our neighborhood,” said Lee, who previously designated People Helping People to receive a donation. “To see the money at work in your community and know that you participated gives you a warm feeling.”

A total of 356 staff members are eligible to participate. Employees have until November 16 to select their nonprofit recipients. Checks will be distributed the week of Thanksgiving or shortly thereafter, either through the mail or by hand delivery.

“We are delighted with how enthusiastically our colleagues have embraced this program,” said Clarke, “In many cases, whole families participate together, from researching and selecting a charity to actually hand delivering the contribution.”

More information about Employee Directed Giving is available at www.cummingsproperties.com/employee_directed_giving.htm

PHOTO: Cummings Properties employees, including President and CEO Dennis Clarke (far right) are getting ready for another round of Employee Direct Giving.