Better to Give
Dewhurst & Associates has a Long Tradition of Philanthropy
The employees at Dewhurst & Associates, an award-winning luxury construction and remodeling company in southern California, are not afraid to see their work go to the dogs. That’s because if charity begins at home, it can also start with the homebuilder.
As one of numerous philanthropic efforts, Dewhurst & Associates has participated in the Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s annual “Animal House” auction, for which celebrity designers create pet homes constructed by local builders. Dewhurst & Associates, for example, created “Collie Cottage.”
The La Jolla-based company also has raised money for programs supporting families with autistic children, donated materials and services to area schools, homeless shelters and fire stations, and been involved in community projects such as the 1954 building, at no charge, of the Mount Soledad cross (seen above), which is one of the most visible landmarks around San Diego.
“It gets back to the philosophy of our family of giving back to the community and helping those who are in need,” says Doug Dewhurst, the company’s president. “Everyone in our company is of the mindset that they’ll volunteer their time for charity events. Many of our employees have been with us for 15-plus years. It’s a true family business.”
Dewhurst & Associates was founded by England native Ernest Dewhurst, who immigrated to the U.S. and constructed movie sets before starting his own business in 1929. Doug Dewhurst, along with his brother Dave and sister Donna, follows in the footsteps of his father, Don, and grandfather, Walter.
“All the homes and all the projects have a story behind them,” Doug Dewhurst says. “I think they’re all special in their own ways.”—Ken Weingartner
Making a Difference
Bicycling has its benefits. It promotes good health, relaxation, even quality time. Most recently, cycling has helped Karen Foley of Coldwell Banker Real Estate and her team of 100 riders raise funds to support the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
MS Bike Tour riders spent Saturday, Sept. 12, cycling through Northern New Jersey on 20- and 50-mile courses in hopes of raising $75,000 or more to help those who suffer from MS.
It took Foley just under two hours to finish the 20-mile route, but she plans to continue fundraising for the MS Society and other non-profit organizations.
From a young age, Betty Taisch of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has been helping raise funds in the fight against muscular dystrophy.
“When I was 10 years old, I babysat four boys, one of which had MD. I was an avid fundraiser door-to-door at that time,” Taisch said.
Recently, Taisch participated in Stars of San Francisco, a fundraiser event aimed to provide money and support for Bay Area children and families living with MD. Though the economic climate has made it harder for some not-for-profit organizations to gain support, Taisch’s efforts have contributed to the Muscular Dystrophy Association immensely.
“Being a former nurse practitioner, I am very involved in heath care charities in general,” she said.
Taisch was able to surpass her original goal and raise more than $4,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.—Lauren Varga
Ground Breakers
Music has played an instrumental role in the life of Saul Cohen. “It was always a way of life,” says the president and founder of Hammond Residential GMAC Real Estate. His love and appreciation for the art led him to begin the Saul B. and Naomi R. Cohen Foundation in 1998, which helps showcase the talents of young musicians early in their careers.
In conjunction with the Foundation, Hammond Residential GMAC Real Estate sponsors some 12 to 15 concerts each year to provide performance opportunities for the talented, young musicians.
According to Cohen, discovering each musician he sponsors is pure serendipity. But, for the musicians, the Foundation’s gifts — whether they are lessons, a chance to perform live or an instrument — are music to their ears.
—Lauren Varga
Design Innovation
At its annual Chapter Leadership Conference in Cincinnati, the American Society of Interior Designers presented its Design for Humanity awards to HOK, a global architecture and design firm, and Greg Mortenson, founder of Pennies for Peace.
In 2008, HOK launched a community service initiative that utilized 2,600 employees from 26 offices across the globe to participate in projects from building homes in Indonesia to greening a public school in San Francisco.
Greg Mortenson is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who has dedicated his life to building schools, primarily for girls, in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He uses the built environment to provide safe havens for education and community programs. In March he received Pakistan’s highest civil award, Sitara-e-Pakistan.
“Design has always been a hallmark of great cultural achievement,” said ASID President Bruce Brigham. “Today, it is becoming increasingly important in our world — as a source of innovation and economic competitiveness, as a model for sustainable growth, and as a means to address pressing social and demographic issues.”
—Lauren Varga
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Way to give back guys !