2016 JR COMMUNITY CARE FUND DONATION ANNOUNCEMENT

The JR team has once again raised a record amount of money to donate to non-profit organizations in West Michigan. Through a variety of fundraising events held throughout the year, employees raised over $48,000, which is matched by JR for a grand total of $97,534! This year, JR employees nominated 42 local non-profit organizations to be considered as JRCCF recipients and the ten groups that received the most votes from employees will each receive a gift of $9,753.

In addition to the record-breaking donation generated in 2016, it was a year packed with growth for the JR Community Care Fund (JRCCF). This initiative, which now involves over thirty JR team members, has matured into a self-sustaining operation that brings together hundreds of employees and benefits thousands of people in our community every year.

For those who are unfamiliar, the JRCCF is an employee-led initiative that puts on fundraising events throughout the year. JRCCF events generate employee engagement and camaraderie, ranging from a Weight Loss Challenge and Softball Tournament to Chili Cook-offs and flower bouquet sales. The donations from these fundraisers are matched dollar-for-dollar by JR Automation, because just as we are committed to serving our customers and providing them with world-class automated solutions, we are also deeply committed to supporting all members of our community through charitable giving.

This commitment - from employees and the company alike - has grown in such a big way over the last few years that we now partner with the Community Foundation for the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) to handle these donations. Our new partnership doesn't change anything about our voting process - employees still nominate and vote on every charity that receives a JRCCF gift.

Our new partnership brings a very positive and long-awaited change to the JRCCF: tax deductions. The CFHZ will now send tax receipts to employees who donate to the JRCCF every week through our automatic payroll donation program. This program allows employees to choose how much they wish to have taken out of each paycheck, and those funds are added to the JR Community Care Fund. Like all other JRCCF donations, these funds are matched dollar for dollar by JR Automation. In 2016, funds raised through our automation payroll donation program totaled $15,039 (before the corporate match).

The increasing amount in donations that JR employees raise each year continues to impact the West Michigan community in ways we don't often get to see, but that certainly make our community a better place.   Without further ado, here are the JRCCF's 2016 Charity Recipients!

	AREA 12 SPECIAL OLYMPICS The Area 12 Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. They provide continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy. Area 12 Special Olympics offers 20 different sports to over 500 local athletes. Learn more about Area 12 Special Olympics at http://www.somi.org/area12/.
	BARNABAS MINISTRIES Barnabas Ministries uses mediation, mentorships, and programming to help high-risk youth and youth who are in crisis. Learn more about Barnabas Ministries at http://barnabasmin.org/.
	BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER HOLLAND Inspires and empowers children and teens to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Provides daily after school youth development programs around academic success, character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles for nearly 2,000 1st -12th grade students. Learn more about the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holland at http://www.bgch.org/.
	CENTER FOR WOMEN IN TRANSITION Responds to domestic and sexual violence against women and works to reduce and prevent that violence through education, collaboration, and advocacy. The center also provides crisis and supportive services to victims and survivors. Learn more about the Center for Women in Transition at https://cwitmi.org/.
	CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER Provides free support services and programs for child victims of sexual abuse. Services include free legal consultation, medical and psychological exams, and child-friendly interview processes that do not further traumatize the victims. Learn more about the Children's Advocacy Center at http://www.cac-ottawa.org/.
	COMMUNITY ACTION HOUSE Seeks to end poverty in our community and help families in the greater Holland area to prosper by providing food, clothing, and shelter. They also provide empowerment programs to help clients obtain and keep stable employment. Learn more about Community Action House at https://www.communityactionhouse.org/.
	COMPASSIONATE HEART MINISTRY Provides a Christ-centered drop in program for teens and young adults with mild to moderate disabilities. CHM's goal is to build inclusive relationships in Christ through friendships developed through the peer mentor facet of its program. Learn more about Compassionate Heart Ministry a thttp://www.compheart.org/.
	HOLLAND RESCUE MISSION Seeks to meet the needs of homeless men, women, and children along the Lakeshore. Services include emergency shelter and food as well as the Gateway Academy recovery program which equips individuals for work and life beyond homelessness. Learn more about Holland Rescue Mission at http://hollandrescue.org/.
	HOSPICE OF HOLLAND Offers comfort and relief to sooth the body, counsel and support to quiet the heart, and resources of faith to strengthen the spirit. They offer more freedom to savor moments and embrace living, even as life draws to a close. Learn more about Hospice of Holland at https://www.hollandhospice.org/.
	KIDS FOOD BASKET Seeks to put an end to childhood hunger through a Sack Supper program, education, and volunteer programs. Serves over 7,000 sack suppers daily to children in Holland, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon. Learn more about Kids Food Basket at http://www.kidsfoodbasket.org/