The employees of Merchants Insurance Group contributed more than $477,000 from 1999 through 2017 to charities, with more than $40,000 raised in 2017, the most in one year since the fund-raising activities were started.
The organizations supported were chosen through employee suggestions, and the employees raised funds through activities such as “dress-down” days, raffles and split clubs. The activities are organized and managed by Merchants’ employees through their C.I.A., or Colleagues in Action, committee, which accepts nominations for non-profits throughout the year
Contributions went to various non-profit groups throughout Western New York, including: {December}: Family Health Center, $834.00; West Seneca Public Library, $255.00; Almost Home Animal Sanctuary, Inc., $310.00; The Independence Foundation, $264.00; Wild Spirit Education, $195.00; {November}: Independent Health Family YMCA, $354.00; Child & Adolescent Treatment Services, $1,697.00; Child & Family Services, $1,697.00; Family Health Center, $922.00; Column of Hope, $282.00; Dancers Give Back, $262.00; {October}: Hurricane Relief, $840.00; Lindsay’s Legacy, $246.00; 100 Club of Buffalo & Erie County, $894.00; Fantastic Friends of Western New York, $283.00; Melina’s White Light, $279.00; The Valley Center, $291.00; Coats for Kids, $217.00; {September}: American Cancer Society/Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, $840.00; 11 Day Powerplay, $252.00; North Collins Veterans Tribute, $287.00; Hurricane Irma, $4,220.00; Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue, $222.00; Kevin Guest House, $291.00; {August} Olmstead Center for Sight, $300.00; WNY Alzheimer’s Association, $726.00; Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service, $215.00; Family Promise of WNY, $213.00; Niagara Co. SPCA – Dog Tags New York Program, $263.00; Hurricane Harvey Victims, $4,592.00; SSG William R Wilson III Memorial Foundation, $238.00; {July}: Meals on Wheels for Western New York, Inc., $762.00; Kiwanis Kids of Webster/Dogworks Service Dogs, $282.00; Jericho Road, $231.00; Gay and Lesbian Youth Services of WNY, $270.00; Hope Before Heaven, Inc. & A Home Till Heaven, $279.00; {June}: Roswell Park Cancer Institute, $951.00; Second Chance Sheltering Network, $292.00; Mason’s Mission Foundation, $264.00; Mercy Flight of Western New York, $249.00; Grassroots Gardens WNY, $276.00; {May}: Jim Harszlak Foundation, $276.00; Grace Guest House Inc., $948.00; The Salvation Army, $1,555.00; Cure SMA, $1,555.00; Mental Health Association – Erie County, $306.00; Friends of the CBAS, $285.00; WNY Perinatal Bereavement Network, $280.00; {April}: Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus, $500.00; Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center, $924.00; Lakeview Animal Sanctuary, $282.00; Joyful Rescues, $325.00; Alix Rice Peace Park Foundation, $278.00; {March}: Buffalo Paws and Claws Animal Shelter, Inc., $317.00; Anthony V. Mannino Foundation, Inc., $990.00; Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue, $309.00; Crisis Services Advocate Program, $300.00; Equi-Star, Inc., $291.00; Hospice Walk May 2017, $306.00; {February}: Bikers Against Child Abuse New York, $294.00; The Teacher’s Desk, $960.00; Operation Pets – The Spay/Neuter Clinic of WNY, Inc., $324.00; People Inc., $297.00; Spectrum Human Services, $306.00; {January}: St. Peter and Paul of Hamburg, N.Y. Outreach, $273.00; Juvenile Diabetes, $804.00; Little Portion Friary, $315.00; Canine Helpers for the Handicapped, $296.00.
