Companies give back

American Eagle Outfitters, whose distribution center is located on North Davis Avenue, focuses its efforts primarily on children’s charities, educational opportunities and organizations that help improve the environment, Haley Anderson, distribution supervisor and manager of the American Eagle Foundation, said.

Anderson, who coordinates volunteer activities, said the company has a volunteer committee so individuals can sign up for different opportunities in the community.

For example, volunteers have helped with Special Olympics as well as DARE Camp, Spring Fling and Winter Adventures, she said.

American Eagle also does a lot of clothing donations, especially for schools, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, Anderson said.

Money from the American Eagle Foundation primarily is earmarked for children’s charities and those related to the environment, which is why most of the grants go to those areas, Anderson said.

“We try to support organizations in areas where our employees are living,” she said, adding that those areas include not only Ottawa and Garnett but also Lawrence and Topeka.

Some local recipients of grants and other donations include Ransom Memorial Hospital, Big Brother Big Sisters of Anderson/Franklin County, East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corp., Ottawa Jaycees and Habitat for Humanity.

At Wal-Mart, giving back happens at the company level, as well as individually, Steve Harris, director of human resources at the distribution center, said.

But the giving is done under the radar, he said.

“That’s the Wal-Mart way,” he said.

Harris said the Wal-Mart Foundation gives $25,000 each year to a variety of groups in the community.

Some of last year’s recipients included the Ottawa Rotary Foundation, Franklin County 4-H, Ottawa Main Street Association, American Legion, Ottawa Police Department, Franklin County Historical Society and Lincoln Elementary School.

Projects included in the list included the Legion’s baseball program, the police department’s DARE program and the Healing Fields during Veterans Day.

“The rhyme or reason is where the need is,” Harris said, adding that Wal-Mart receives requests each year from local organizations.

Harris said the company also raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network, which supports the University of Kansas Medical Center and Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Other fundraising includes thousands of dollars — more than $85,000 most recently — for the United Way, which is matched dollar for dollar by the Wal-Mart Foundation, Harris said.

He said the company also donates cash and merchandise to local schools for events like after-prom.

Individually, many Wal-Mart employees volunteer in schools, Boy and Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity and with other organizations, Harris said.

He said giving back is important at the corporate level, as well as individually.

“You’ve got to be a good steward to the community,” he said.

Herald staff writer Jodie Garcia can be e-mailed at jgarcia@ottawaherald.com.