Dallas
Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink for the Cure
In October, Dallas Graniteers went Passionately Pink for the Cure! Passionately Pink is a part of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. The purpose is for teams to raise money for the fight against breast cancer in their own creative ways. This allows participants to set their fundraising goals, plan their own events, and work together as a team fighting for the same cause. The Dallas Corporate office had a week full of activities to raise money for the cause, including a “decorate your department” contest and a “wear pink” day. Granite raised almost $900 for Susan G. Komen in addition to the nearly $3,000 that the Houston office raised! A huge thanks goes out to all Granite employees for all of your generosity and support.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
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The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is an organization Granite has been involved in for many years. It is worldwide leader for research to cure type 1 diabetes. JDRF sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. On September 25, 2010, Granite employees attended the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes as well as staffed a face painting tent. |
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Children’s Medical Center
Every year, Granite participates in one or more events with Children’s Medical Center, which Children's is a private, not-for-profit hospital system that does not receive direct state or local tax dollars. They serve one in every five children in the greater Dallas area and will not turn their backs on any child in need. More than half of the patients they treat need some type of financial assistance. Children's provides tens of millions of dollars in charitable care each year - whether it's covering the full medical bill or supplementing what insurance doesn't cover. Granite is one of Children’s Medical Center Red Balloon Run and Relay’s headlining sponsors this yearl. On September 22nd Dallas Graniteers joined together at Spectrum Center to witness the first sumo wrestling tournament in Granite history! Employees bid on one another to be a participant in the sumo tournament. The 8 Dallas employees with the most donations in their name got into the sumo suit to wrestle their co-workers. All proceeds from this event were donated to Children’s Medical Center. On October 22nd, Granite sponsored the Family Fun Zone tent at the Red Balloon Run and Relay. We volunteered, ran in the race, and had a great time! In 2011, Graniteers have raised $18,715 for Children’s Medical Center!
In December 2010, Graniteers spread holiday cheer at the Children’s Medical Center parade which started by the Adolphus Hotel and Children's Medical Center as a gift to the community in 1988. The event has become known as the "Miracle on Commerce Street”. The parade has continued to grow and now draws crowds of 350,000 and more. Granite has been lucky enough to participate in the parade for several years. The parade has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families throughout North Texas and coast to coast, and Granite is proud to be a part of this annual event.
Granite also had the opportunity to prepare toiletry bags for the hospital’s children and families. Often times, families that go to the hospital do not know that they may be staying overnight, so they do not bring the items they need for the next day. The bags bled included items like toothbrushes, razors, and toothpaste. The Property Management team shopped for the items and bags with funds they raised from plant sales in building lobbies throughout 2010. They then took a few hours and assembled the bags and delivered them to Children’s Hospital’s Legacy campus in February. Children’s staff was absolutely thrilled the day we donated the bags. This was a great experience for everyone involved and we look forward to continuing this partnership throughout the upcoming years. |
BOMA Adopt-A-Block
BOMA which stands for Building Owners & Managers Association holds an annual adopt-a-block event. Last year a total of 15 Graniteers met at a pre-determined home to clean the landscaped areas, trim trees, replace rotten wood and trim on the house, and scrape and paint the house. This was a great opportunity for Granite employee to make a difference in our community. Granite looks forward to participating in adopt-a-block again in 2011!
HOUSTON
MS 150
Team Granite consists of tenants/vendors/family members and friends whose common goal is to ride their bikes to raise funds and awareness about multiple sclerosis and other charities in our community. In 2010 we were recognized as a National MS team by participating in five MS rides, three in Texas along with one each in Florida and New York. In addition to riding for multiple sclerosis, we raise money for other charities such as Susan G. Komen, Ronald McDonald House, and Juvenile Diabetes by participating in training rides in preparing for the multiple sclerosis ride in April. This year Team Granite has registered 60 riders. Many Granite employees volunteer each and we are very appreciative of the support we have received from the company and friends. Team Granite has taken the opportunity this year to interact with those afflicted with multiple sclerosis. These individuals with multiple sclerosis meet on a monthly basis for support and encouragement dealing with this disease. This year, not only are we going to ride our bikes, we are also going to host a few events so that we can spend time with those affected by this disease. Check out http://www.nationalmssociety.org for more information or http://www.bikems.orgto sign up. If you think you’ve got what it takes to be on Team Granite, contact Mary Butler
at mbutler@graniteprop.com.
Easter Seals
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United Cerebral Palsy is proud to announce that as of January 1, 2011, they became Easter Seals of Greater Houston – same awesome charity, just a different name! Granite has had multiple chances to volunteer with this great organization, and most recently we had a chance to volunteer at the Parent’s Day Out -- a respite program that provides rest and relaxation for family members and primary caregivers of children with special needs or disabilities. Respite care enhances personal and family health by providing necessary physical care and |
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recreational activities while offering parents and caregivers a well-deserved break.
We had an awesome time playing with the kiddos on the incredible indoor jungle gym, participating in fun arts and crafts and playing exciting games in the activity center. We topped off the fun-filled day by celebrating Jacob’s birthday -- Jacob is a charming 11 year old boy that suffers from autism; he loves Blue’s Clues and giving big bear hugs! Everyone had a blast!
Richmond State School
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) operates state schools and centers. These facilities provide campus-based direct services and support to people with mental retardation. Residential services in state schools and centers serve people with severe or profound mental retardation and people with mental retardation who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems.
Granite participates in all sorts of activities with Richmond State School every year. Most recently, Graniteers went to Richmond State School to wrap Christmas gifts for the residents of the center. Each year, generous donations are made by various companies, including Granite Properties, to fill the Christmas Wish Lists of the residents. The Granite elves spent several hours having fun wrapping and decorating the gifts so that the residents had beautiful presents waiting for them to open on Christmas morning.
Susan G. Komen For The Cure® Houston
Susan G. Komen is the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. Team Granite made its second appearance in the Komen Houston Race for the Cure. A total of 35,000 people turned out for the 20th anniversary of the event. . Team Granite managed to raise over $1,500 for breast cancer education, screening, treatment, support and research before the race, and when all was said and done, raised over $2,860. Team Granite is looking forward to participating again in 2011
DENVER CHARITY
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Denver Public School Partner Program
Granite Denver has participated, as sponsor to Johnson Elementary, in the Denver Public Schools School Partner Program since 2007. In the 2008-2009 school year, they had three main projects.
Granite provided the school with tri-fold boards for the school science fair. This simple donation resulted in a huge increase in science fair participation (over 80% from under 10% previously) because the cost of the board was previously an extra expense for students. Granite received an amazing scrapbook from the school with photos from the fair and letters of thanks from the children. |
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Granite chaperoned the children at Johnson Elementary to a Cinco De Mayo program at the local high school. The students learned about the holiday and listened to an energetic performance by a mariachi band.
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Granite provided over $700 worth of plants, seeds, soil, birdhouses and shovels to Johnson for a new community garden. The garden was featured in the Denver Urban Gardens Spring Newsletter; in addition to being a learning tool and a place of beauty, the garden has helped feed many of the families in the Johnson community.
Granite Denver's relationship with Johnson Elementary will continue in the 2009-2010 school year. Granite held a school supply drive, supplying the school with hundreds of dollars worth of supplies this fall. Granite will again supply the tri-fold boards for the science fair, and will also volunteer at a school event. |
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Children's Hospital
Granite Denver contributes significantly to Children’s Hospital each year. 2009 has been no different with participation in both the Courage Classic and the Annual Gala. The Courage Classic is a 3-day, 157-mile bicycle tour through the Colorado Rockies. Stephanie Lawrence, our Managing Director in Denver, rode with the commercial real estate team Research Riders raising $5,500 to specifically fund the hospital’s research efforts. Granite also hosts a table at the annual gala, an event that raises millions of dollars for the hospital. Granite’s level of giving, both of time and financial resources, places it in the Circle of Care of contributors each year.
Roadless Ride
Roadless Ride is a fundraiser to benefit Brent's Place. On April 3, 2009 participants raised money and rode in their choice of 12 one-hour stationary group cycling classes. This event took place at FORZA Fitness and Performance Club which is adjacent to Granite Tower. Brent's Place is a safe and supportive home for kids being treated for cancer, and their families. There was also a silent auction throughout the day to raise additional money for this worthy cause. Granite is a proud sponsor of this fun event.
John Lynch Foundation
The John Lynch Foundation is committed to developing leaders by providing encouragement and positive alternatives for young people. The foundation provides programs that reach these students and instill in them the drive to become effective community leaders. Granite provides a financial contribution by hosting a table at the annual fund raising luncheon for this worthy charity.