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1.25.08 | The Washington Companies announce 'Pay It Forward' philanthropy program for employees
In a program that places philanthropy in the hands of their employees, the Washington Companies will award a total of $55,000 to 220 randomly selected employees for donation to charities of their choosing. Employees from Modern Machinery, Envirocon, Montana Resources, Montana Rail Link, Washington Corporations, and Coast Engine and Equipment have until February 8th to place their names in a drawing to receive one of 220, $250 'Giving Cards'. The program, christened 'Pay It Forward' after the novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde and movie of the same name, is under the auspices of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.
Dennis and Phyllis Washington value grassroots philanthropy as a means of bringing about positive change in communities where their employees live and work. "We want to share the joy of giving with our employees and allow them to put the money toward charitable causes important to them," said Phyllis Washington.
"Our hope is that by starting the 'Pay It Forward' program at the beginning of the year, employee giving will translate into other acts of kindness throughout the rest of the year. We want our employees to be the rock that starts the ripple," said Mike Halligan, Executive Director of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.
A special web page on the Foundation web site will allow card recipients the opportunity to describe how they used their Giving Card. There are no restrictions to charitable causes that an employee may support.
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Washington Companies. The term Washington Companies refers to the association of separate business entities in which Montana businessman Dennis R. Washington holds a significant ownership position. The Washington Companies are headquartered throughout the United States and western Canada and conduct business internationally. They are involved in rail transportation, marine transportation, construction and mining, heavy equipment sales, aviation technology, and real estate development.
