What started as a $5,000 donation to one needy charity, now blossomed into an opportunity to help hundreds of organizations around the country.
Recently, Cox Target Media President Michael Vivio challenged the Valpak franchise network -- 170 franchises throughout North America -- to "save something" in their communities, and earn thousands of dollars for the nonprofit of their choice, by introducing the Valpak Saves contest at the company's convention Coupon U.
That challenge inspired the Valpak franchise network: They planted trees, fed the homeless, mentored kids -- and made a difference across communities throughout North America. Twenty-two franchises from across the network logged hundreds of volunteer hours for this community outreach contest.
Held in conjunction with a consumer contest called 10,000 Reasons to Save, the contest ran during September in honor of National Coupon Month, or "Save-Tember."
During the Coupon U convention, keynote speaker/artist Erik Wahl, known for his graffiti art and speed painting, donated one of his paintings. Two Valpak franchise owners were especially inspired by the presentation and the artwork, so they bid on the special auction and then donated the painting proceeds to the contest, increasing the Valpak Saves prize total to $35,500.
"Giving back has many rewards," said Michael Vivio, president of Cox Target Media, provider of Valpak. "I've found there's no greater feeling than being a part of the greater good."
The winning Valpak franchises and their charities are:
Valpak of Indianapolis - Managing Partner Jim Brantley, Owner Bob Slattery; $20,000 total to:
-- The Salvation Army Indianapolis $10,000
-- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis $2,500
-- Ivy Tech Foundation $2,000
-- Humane Society of Indianapolis $2,000
-- Keep Indianapolis Beautiful $1,500
-- Cystic Fybrosis - Indiana Chapter $1,000
-- The Children's Play TherAPlay Foundation $1,000
Valpak of Denver - Owners BillBuczek, Don Duncan & Brad Cohen
-- The Gathering Place $10,000
Valpak of Northeast Wisconsin - Owners Cliff & Lynn Halley
-- Rachel's Operation Act of Kindness Fund $2,750
Valpak of Salt Lake City - Valpak Owner Gary Heaton
-- Kids On The Move $2,750
"I'm so proud of our group and what they did in the month of Save-tember," said Jim Brantley, managing partner for Valpak of Indianapolis. "We work all year long in the community. But the push for September was really strong. For that month alone, we calculated we volunteered over 170 hours and were involved in raising over $127,000."
For videos and photos of the entrants and their causes, visit Valpak Saves Donates $35,000 to Charity on the Valpak blog.
Valpak franchisees have given thousands of hours of service to their communities over the years, but this marks the first franchise-wide contest. Valpak plans to hold the contest again next year.
