There are thousands of different issues and causes close to our employees’ hearts. Many give countless hours to help worthy organizations. We applaud their commitment and support their efforts with the Employee Volunteer Grant program. This program awards small grants to the nonprofit organizations where our employees regularly dedicate their volunteer hours.
CIRCLE OF HOPE BRACELETS
For several years, Alice Bartels has been involved with Circle of Hope Bracelets, a volunteer organization that makes and sells bracelets to raise money for cancer research, education, treatment and care.
About Circle of Hope Bracelets
Circle of Hope Bracelets is a community service organization that offers volunteers the opportunity to raise money for the fight against cancer by making and selling bracelets.
In 1999, the first bracelet was designed by jewelry maker Fran Lefrak-Brown. Fran, a breast cancer survivor, made a commitment to donate all of the profits to causes that fight cancer. Sadly, Fran passed away in 2002; however the organization continues to thrive today as a tribute to its founder. Each year it attracts hundreds of volunteers and donates its profits to dozens of charities that provide cancer research, education, treatment and care throughout the United States.
Each bracelet is handcrafted and features a combination of crystals, sterling silver and Bali beads and is completed with two signature beaded dangles, designed to convey a message of hope, optimism, peace of mind, and enthusiasm for life. Since 1999, Circle of Hope bracelets has sold more than 170,000 bracelets.
Anheuser-Busch’s Support
Anheuser-Busch employee Alice Bartels has been volunteering for Circle of Hope since 2005 and joined the organization's board in 2008. For the past four years, Bartels has worked with a team of employees to support the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure through bracelet fundraisers, raising more than $120,000. Anheuser-Busch recently supported Bartels' efforts with an employee volunteer grant.
“I have lost my father, sister-in-law, step father-in-law and four aunts to cancer. In addition, my husband, sister-in-law and I are cancer survivors,” explains Bartels. “I wanted to work with an organization that would support a variety of cancer causes and Circle of Hope has given me that opportunity. It is rewarding to see that something as simple as a bracelet can do so much for so many people.”
The majority of the group's revenues are derived from bracelet sales, so cost control is paramount for the success of the program. The organization's biggest expense is the purchase of materials used to make bracelets. The grant Bartels received will assist with the cost of tools such as: crimpers, wire cutters, pin cutters and needle-nosed pliers.
Impact
Since 1999, Circle of Hope Bracelets has donated more than $2.2 million to a variety of cancer charities such as The American Cancer Society, Siteman Cancer Center, AMC Cancer Research Center, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundations, Friends of Kids with Cancer, Camp Rainbow, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
In 2006, Circle of Hope committed to donate $100,000 during a three-year period to Siteman Cancer Center. This donation will fund developmental research projects in the areas of breast, lung and prostate cancer. In addition, the group donated $25,000 to the American Heart Association to partially fund a study at Washington University School of Medicine for cardiovascular science/cancer research.
LC LAZERS
When he's not developing marketing programs, Rolling Rock brand manager Tom Kraus is on the baseball field coaching his son Tommy's
team, the LC Lazers – a 36-member group based in Kirkwood, MO.
About LC Lazers
The Kirkwood, MO. team began as one team seven years ago when the boys were three years old.
As they've grown, so has the team – expanding to 36 players across three teams for boys ages 9-11. Not only is the team a place where the boys can have fun with their friends and sharpen their baseball skills, but it is also an opportunity to reinforce important life lessons such as teamwork, sportsmanship and giving back to the community.
Anheuser-Busch's Support
For coaches and parents to be able to give the boys this well-rounded experience, the team incurs many expenses for equipment, summer travel and participation in tournaments. And although the Lazers lead their own fundraising efforts like carwashes and mouse races to help raise money for their programs and league fees, the team looks for outside funding opportunities to help meet their needs.
In early 2009, Kraus applied for and was awarded an Anheuser-Busch Employee Volunteer Grant Program to assist with the team's costs.
Impact
“The boys learn so much both on and off the field as part of their experience on the team. It's really a character-building program,” said Kraus. “We appreciate Anheuser-Busch's assistance in helping us continue the great tradition of summer baseball for the Lazers.”