Safelite AutoGlass Donates $340,000 to Afrika Tikkun Charitable Organization
Safelite AutoGlass® employees turned out in a big way to raise money for the future of the most vulnerable children in South Africa. Nearly 400 people all over the world traveled to Las Vegas to participate in the 7th Annual Safelite Challenge – a volunteer-led fundraiser welcoming employees, friends, family and supplier and insurance client sponsors to participate in an individual or team triathlon or duathlon, a 5K fun walk, a motorcycle poker run, a virtual race, or an online silent auction.
Thanks to their fundraising efforts, a record-setting $340,000 will be donated to Afrika Tikkun, a charitable organization co-founded by Bertie Lubner who also was the co-founder of Safelite’s parent company, Belron.
Over the last seven years, Safelite’s people have had unique opportunities to contribute in meaningful ways to this non-profit. Afrika Tikkun is aimed at developing new generations of productive citizens in South African communities through Centers of Excellence where they can provide everything the child needs – from cradle to career. In fact, Nelson Mandela was so impressed with the impact of Afrika Tikkun, that from 1995 until he passed away, he was its Chief Patron.
In addition to Safelite being the leading U.S. financial supporter, groups of Safelite employees have traveled to South Africa to see first-hand the impact their efforts have had. And, each year, four young adults within the Afrika Tikkun system are selected to travel to the U.S. to participate in the Challenge while also benefiting from mentoring programs within Safelite.
“It’s absolutely humbling to talk with the bright young men and women who travel from South Africa to participate in the Challenge alongside us,” said Brian DiMasi, Safelite’s Corporate Counsel and volunteer lead. Knowing that we can make a difference in the lives of children giving them hope is an amazing reward in and of itself. The Safelite Challenge is also a wonderful opportunity to engage our people in a fun and healthy event.”
The Safelite Challenge has raised more than $2 million for Afrika Tikkun since its inception. Last year alone, Safelite’s contributions enabled Afrika Tikkun to serve more than 1,000 children.
“I am once again inspired by the selflessness of Safelite’s people, friends, family and corporate sponsors who give so generously to support a good cause,” said Tom Feeney, president and CEO of Safelite AutoGlass. “It’s these our wonderful people who make Safelite the company it is – caring and compassionate. We are proud to support both this cause, and many others like it right here in the U.S.”
A team consisting of top-performers and top fundraisers will next travel to London to participate in the Spirit of Belron Challenge, a similar event organized by Safelite’s parent company, Belron.
About Afrika Tikkun
Afrika Tikkun was founded 20 years ago, soon after the emergence of democracy in South Africa in 1995, to actively address the consequences of decades of institutionalized oppression. Recognizing that the youth of the country would become the future leaders of South Africa, the founders’ vision of the sustainable upliftment of children and youth from the most devastated communities immediately won the personal support of President Nelson Mandela as its founding patron. Afrika Tikkun’s 600+ employees in South Africa work to break the cycle of poverty, providing their beneficiaries with Hope, Capability and Promise – the education, life-skills and confidence that enable them to become the self-sustaining, productive future of South Africa. Through a holistic Cradle-to-Career model, Afrika Tikkun invests in the sustenance, education and social development of disadvantaged children, 19,000 in 2014 alone, from early infancy through young adulthood and into gainful employment, thereby enabling them to become the leaders of tomorrow. For more information, visit AfrikaTikkun.org.
About Safelite AutoGlass®
Safelite AutoGlass® is the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services with 6,800 MobileGlassShops™ and company stores in all 50 states. Last year, nearly 5.4 million customers chose Safelite for its 24/7 national contact centers, advanced online scheduling, superior repair and replacement systems, and the industry’s only nationwide lifetime guarantee. Founded in 1947, the Columbus, Ohio-based company employs more than 12,000 people across the United States. For more information, visit Safelite.com, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.