The truth is, we can’t meet our community’s Bold Goals alone. Corporate giving is the steady support we need that keeps help within easy reach for families across Summit & Medina counties. When local companies invest their time, dollars, and people, we all move forward together.
And you can feel that energy when a workplace rallies. You hear it in their words, see it in their actions, and watch it ripple out into the community.
A culture of giving you can feel
At Bridgestone’s Akron campus, teammates kick off their season of giving to United Way with food, friendly competition, and a clear purpose. As Andrew Clark shared:
“Our annual cookout, this is one of the many activities that we have leading up to our campaign. The purpose here is to get all the teammates together and kind of bring up some momentum and support for the campaign as we’re leading up to it.”
It’s not just about a single event. It’s about belonging to a community, pride in the workplace, and giving back to the place you call home.
“I grew up on the west side of Akron. I graduated from Firestone High School. I’d like to see Akron continue to be a successful community.”
For many teammates, learning more about how United Way works flips a switch.
“I didn’t know a whole lot about the work United Way is doing until a few years ago. I got to know more about how it connects everyone in the community together and gives them opportunities that maybe they didn’t see themselves, it’s such an important bridge in the community.”
And yes, they keep it fun because joy motivates people to show up.
“We’ve got some other activities coming up, soccer tournaments, pickleball tournaments, trying to raise money – NOW is the moment to give.”
Hands-on help that shows up in classrooms
Corporate giving isn’t only payroll pledges. It’s also people and teams who roll up their sleeves.
Michelle from Bridgestone talked about the mid-year “refresh” for school supplies through their sort-a-thon
“We get some teammates together and we pack school supply bags for local kids as part of a refresh of school supplies that they’ll get mid-year.”
That mid-year timing matters. Kids lose supplies. Families face tight budgets. A small bag of essentials can keep a student moving.
“Especially getting that mid-year refresh… when times are tight and inflation is up… I’m hoping that it kind of gives a little bit of motivation to keep going.”
Michelle also spoke to why companies lean in — and why it feels good to do it together:
“Bridgestone makes it so that it’s part of the fabric of being here… we bring everyone into it. Management is really supportive… it brings us together to work together.”
And the business case? It’s straightforward:
“When our communities do better, everyone does better… we’re pulling from the local workforce… when everyone around us thrives, it brings all of us up.”
Partnership over pass-through
Pubudu from Bridgestone reflected on what clicked for him over five years of involvement, the scope of the work and the resilience behind it:
“It was a real eye-opener—seeing how much you’re helping the community, especially in education. Thinking about the big-picture goal, and how, when you lead, resilience comes through despite the hardships.”
He named what makes our model different—direct services, trusted outreach, and many partners pulling in the same direction:
“I always think it’s about partnership—it’s not one person or one group. The partnership with United Way is really a great thing.”
And he touched on something we hear often: trust is earned by showing up and staying close.
“Trust is hard sometimes. If you don’t reach out the right way, you won’t get support or trust. United Way does this well, and I really appreciate it.”
Why corporate giving is vital to Bold Goals
Corporate partners help us reach farther and act faster. Their giving:
- Stabilizes essential services — from 211 navigation to school-based supports and Financial Empowerment Centers.
- Expands volunteer power — reading days, volunteer income tax assistance, beautification projects, and on-site events that meet the needs of the community
- Builds a shared culture of care — inside companies and across neighborhoods.
Put simply, when companies invest locally, more kids have what they need for school, more parents can breathe a little easier, and more neighbors find help without hurdles.
Ready to rally your team?
If you’re a business leader, manager, or employee resource group champion, your company can make a tangible difference — and feel that lift inside your workplace
- Sponsor a Bold Goal you care about most.
- Bring a team to volunteer — from packing supply kits to reading in classrooms.
- Match employee gifts to double the impact.
Because the more corporate partners we have, the more families we can support.
“Now’s the moment. Now’s the moment to give.”
Let’s build the community we all want to live and work in. To start a campaign or schedule a volunteer day, reach out to our team.