Giving
Wedgewood Foundation
In 2014 we established the Wedgewood Charitable Fund so that our history of giving would endure in a significant and meaningful way as well as maximize the impact that our companies and employees can make through charitable giving. In addition, the Wedgewood Foundation committee, based entirely of employee representatives from diverse departments across the company, gives Wedgewood employees a voice in making decisions and the responsibility of managing the fund. The Wedgewood Foundation committee manages the direction of large donations, including matching fund opportunities and other giving events.
To date, Wedgewood’s employees and companies have donated nearly $1 million to support education, special needs, health and other important charitable causes. Here are some of the foundations we support:
Outreach
Through our ongoing ventures with charitable organizations like Weekend Warrior, Victory Outreach, and ANGELVIEW, Wedgewood is able to make an immediate impact on the lives of those in need. With the help of these organizations, we are able to donate household and personal items of value while bringing a sense of improvement and hope to families in the communities. Through these donations, we are helping hundreds of families each year.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Congress established the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) for the purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment. Through the purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed and abandoned homes and residential properties, the goal of the program is being realized. Wedgewood is proud to work with the NSP to improve the lives and communities in those neighborhoods that need support.
Volunteerism
Wedgewood employees rally together throughout the year to make a difference. We champion causes, sponsor walkers, challenge one another in fundraisers, deliver goods to families in need, and donate blood to the Red Cross.
Searching for a way to harness the energy, enthusiasm, skills and philanthropic hearts of Wedgewood’s employees, CEO Greg Geiser connected with Sharefest, a non-profit revitalization organization based out of San Pedro. Sharefest brings together communities in need with philanthropic groups looking to lend a hand. And from that fateful association, Wedgefest was born.
Since then, Wedgewood employees have come together to participate in Wedgefest projects including the revitalization of several elementary schools, completing a total home makeover for a deserving community hero, and many community beautification projects. And that is just the start.
Learn More About the Wilmington Community Projects ‹
Thank you note from WPE
Our first Wedgefest project was the rehabilitation of Wilmington Park Elementary School, a 100-year old school that was badly in need of upgrades.
“Our solar power system provides most of the electrical needs for the businesses in our building. Along with meeting the office needs, the system also powers 28 electric car charging stations, allowing employees to commute to work affordably and cleanly, not to mention a shaded place to park. In addition to all of this, two days a week we are pumping our excess electrical power back into the grid. It’s a classic win, win, win.”
Wedgewood Scholars Corner
College is an important next step in the lives of many, but unfortunately there are many deserving students who do not have the financial means to afford college tuition. It has been Wedgewood’s honor to help make that dream a reality for two deserving Wooten Center graduates, covering their college tuition for all four years. Here are their stories:
Oralia Pacheco
Oralia worked hard during high school, always with the goal of continuing her education at a university. She was devastated when she learned that her family could not afford her college tuition and that her legal status made her ineligible for state grants. Losing hope, she shared her concerns with her mentors at the Wooten Center, and it was the Wooten Center that connected her with Wedgewood. Her thirst for an education and her passion for school were readily apparent, and Oralia became our first Wedgewood scholar.
Oralia graduated with honors from Notre Dame de Namur University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May 2015. She is currently a bilingual Case Manager at LifeMoves' First Step for Families, a nonprofit that provides support to homeless families. At any given time, she works with between 13-18 families, helping them connect to services, assess their housing options, and track their progress during their stay in a temporary shelter. Her goal is to learn how best to support this population and hopes to start her own nonprofit in Los Angeles in the future. Oralia also serves as a mentor to our second Wedgewood scholar, Kaylin.
Kaylin McLarty
Like Oralia, Kaylin connected with Wedgewood through the Wooten Center. For three years, she participated in a summer work program there and subsequently was nominated by Wooten’s executive team to receive assistance for college.
On her education, Kaylin says, “I believe getting a college education is important because of the job security it provides. Most jobs look for people that have a degree because it shows that you are consistent and capable of endurance in the work force.”
Kaylin is currently enrolled at West Los Angeles Community College. After she earns her associate degree, she plans to transfer to a 4-year university where she will study Business Administration. Upon graduation, she hopes to continue her education with a master’s degree in business.
University Partnerships
Wedgewood is honored to partner with universities, including Loyola Marymount University and UCLA, to create and sponsor opportunities for students. In 2014, Wedgewood kicked off its LMU relationship by hosting the LMU entrepreneurship program on a tour of our headquarters. Since that date, Wedgewood has continued to be involved with recruiting, classroom opportunities, and events, including a partnership with LMU’s M-School whereby its students examined Wedgewood’s marketing needs and presented web, mobile and video based solutions for helping to better recruit Wedgewood’s next generation of leaders. At UCLA, Wedgewood is a sponsor of the Knapp Venture Competition, a student-run business idea and pitch competition.
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