Philanthropy & Giving
How we give back
Running a business – especially a small business – is about more than profit and loss. It’s about contributing to the health of the community and being a good neighbor. That’s why we make giving back an integral part of our business practice.
Our philosophy is to give generously and consistently to the community we serve and to which we owe so much of our success – in business and in life.
Sertoma
"Service To Mankind" is our Motto
Patrick Kravitz is the Director and two time past President of the Austin Bluffs Sertoma. The Club was formed in 1964 with the purpose of providing assistance to charitable causes in our local community with special emphasis on assisting speech and hearing impaired individuals. Money for these efforts is obtained through fund raising events. They then utilize the proceeds to support local charities and to award scholarships to deserving students who are either themselves speech or hearing impaired or who plan to teach handicapped or disadvantaged students upon graduation.
HEARS
H.E.A.R.S. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing funding for hearing aids and preparatory services to hearing and financially challenged Coloradans in the El Paso County area. We are SERTOMANS who are part of the team from the Pikes Peak SERTOMA District that supports H.E.A.R.S. Pat Kravitz proudly donates his time to H.E.A.R.S. Pat helps with fundraising in support of HEAR through the Austin Bluffs SERTOMA Club. Pat and Alissa have participated in the Annual HEARS 5K ,, the single biggest fund raiser event for HEARS.
Mosaic
Mosaic provides a life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities. They help people define their own happiness, supporting them and empowering the pursuit of their goals. They celebrate people's successes, even if that success is as simple as the pursuit itself.
Mosaic in Colorado Springs offers both residential and day services in a variety of settings. Their services are tailored to each person and they work with people to help ensure each day is meaningful. Daniel Fulfer is passionate about this organization, and volunteers hundreds of hours of his time.
Special Olympics
SPECIAL OLYMPICS IS A GLOBAL MOVEMENT THAT UNLEASHES THE HUMAN SPIRIT THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATION POWER AND JOY OF SPORTS, EVERY DAY AROUND THE WORLD.
Using sports as a catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. As a result, people with intellectual disabilities become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Special Olympics is still the largest sports organization in the world serving over 4.2 million people with intellectual disabilities worldwide. And sports are still the core of what they do. But, athletes inspire them to continue to evolve as an organization as they tell their stories and share their dreams for the future. Today they use sports as a catalyst to help enhance the growth for all people who participate and compete with Special Olympics.
Daniel Fulfer has been a Special Olympics Ski Coach and Bowling Coach for many years, and has led the participants to successful competitions and medals.
Living Hope Church
What you believe and value is important for determining who you are. The same is true for a church body. Their core beliefs come from our fellowship with the Assemblies of God, and they commit to four key values that guide how they fulfill their mission as the church: Worship, Word, Discipleship, and Mission.
Pat is proud to belong to this church, and stays involved through attendance and volunteering. He has served as an Elder on the Board for more than 18 years.
Girl Scouts
Alissa Reckard has been a Girl Scout Troop Leader since 2010. She has guided dozens of girls through the program. Alissa led a large group of nearly 50 Girl Scouts, and now is dedicated to a small troop with 6 girls. They learn many skills through the cookie program including customer service, financial literacy, marketing, and sales techniques.
Alissa's Girl Scouts Troop participates in events such as World Thinking Day, an annual Mall Lock-In, donating to Home Town Heroes, and Community Service.
Marian House
Since 1985, the Marian House Soup Kitchen has been serving people who are hungry in downtown Colorado Springs. On average, the Soup Kitchen serves 600 meals per day.
The Marian House Soup Kitchen offers hot, nutritious meals 365 days a year to anyone who comes to our doors, free of charge. To-go meals are distributed on an as requested basis during meal service as well as after meal service for those who wish to take a portion for their dinner meal. Meals are nutritionally balanced as they recognize that for many of those they serve, this is their only meal of the day. Meals consist of an entree, soup most days, several side dishes, a green and fruit salad, bread, and dessert. Coffee, water, and milk – if available, are offered as well.
Dan, his wife, Donna, and their children, Andrew and Lauren, are active supporters of this ministry.
Medical Ministry International
Alissa Reckard is excited about being able to participate on a mission trip to Bolivia summer of 2019. Her teenage daughter will also participate. They will be able to help with patients and appointments by providing medical care, church services, and distributing toys to children. They were also planning to go summer of 2020, but it was cancelled because of COVID-19.
Sarah's Home
Sarah's Home is a faith-based residential home on the front range of Colorado for girls from 12 up to 18 years of age who have been rescued from sex trafficking. Sarah’s Home offers healing, education, restoration, and reintegration for survivors of the forced commercial sex trade.
Royal Rangers
For more than 20 years, Patrick Kravitz has been an enthusiastic volunteer leader with Royal Rangers. It is a Christian based scouting program, teaching boys age 5-15 the skills needed to live a godly life as well as outdoor life skills for camping and sports. Each year they go camping to practice the skills they have been learning. Every four years they attend the National Camporama in SW Missouri along with 5000 other boys and men.
Waddell & Reed cares
We're proud to be aligned with a firm that gives back as well. Since its founding in 1937, Waddell & Reed has consistently been a strong supporter of community, cultural and charitable causes regionally and nationally.
It provides a platform for two types of philanthropic and charitable support: direct from the company and directly from financial advisors and employees.
In fact, employees and financial advisors are encouraged to select philanthropic organizations and events in which their involvement will have an ongoing and meaningful impact.