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By Pamela Gold
During the season of giving, it seems like the perfect time to recognize how much the franchise community gives back. In particular, some companies and franchisees truly stand out as inspirations for all of us who want to help our communities and various organizations. Read on to learn about individuals and franchises that give, not only during this season but also throughout the year.
A Model Citizen, A Model Franchisee
Coleman Davis, owner of four Badcock Home Furnishing Centers' franchise locations in Florida, has been involved with the franchise and the brand for over 32 years. Devoted to his family, church, business, and helping others, Coleman is not only a model franchisee but he's also passionate about giving to others.
"My mother always had a passion for the under-dog. I picked up this passion at a young age, and I've been very blessed to be able to help," explained Coleman.
"Badcock has always encouraged its franchisees to participate in activities in the communities. Some franchisees participate and others do not. The company does not force anyone to volunteer but it's certainly encouraged. In fact, three years ago Badcock Home Furnishings Centers began awarding the Wogan S. Badcock Jr. Community Service Award. In the fall of 2001, I received it. I was extremely honored because I had worked for Mr. Badcock a long time ago. It was a very proud moment for me," said Coleman.
Coleman enjoys being involved with his local Chamber committee for downtown merchants. His franchises are also involved with the local Athletic Boosters Association, and he donates both time and money to the cause.
"I believe time and money go hand and hand and you must give both," explained Coleman.
Coleman continued, "The Lions Club is a great interest of mine. I've been a lion for 23 years and am the Director Emeritus of my local club. I am also deeply and passionately involved in the Florida Lions Camp for the Visually Impaired. We have over 400 handicapped clients who attend the camp. It's a huge undertaking and requires about $750,000 in funding. We go all over the state to raise these funds. I am a past Director of the camp and feel so privileged to work on it and to be involved. It's a very moving and emotional experience for me."
An asset to the franchise community, Coleman Davis truly embodies the spirit of giving: He stated, "There are so many people hurting in this world, and not just financially. A smile is worth a lot to me and I really love helping people."
Giving For Almost 100 Proud Years
Wogan Badcock III explained that since the beginning of Badcock Home Furnishing Centers' history, the company has given with an open wallet and giving hearts. "In 2004, it will be our 100th Anniversary, so we've decided to furnish one hundred homes through Habitat for Humanity's programs for the needy. One hundred homes for one hundred years of business. Habitat for Humanity's various regional chapters have been so excited by our offer and it looks like we will be well over our one hundred home goal by the year 2004."
Wogie continued, "We award the Wogan S. Badcock Jr. Community Service Award to a franchisee that best exemplifies what my father was like. My father truly believed in service to others and helping out whenever possible. We believe that our franchisees are our business partners and we rely on each other so much that we wanted to encourage community service and the support of non-profits and we wanted to show our support of our franchisees' decisions to help. We have actually written into our operating manual that our franchisees can choose to support non-profits if they'd like and we co-op up to a certain percentage of the donation to encourage franchisees giving to charities."
"Our franchisees know what to do. They're members of their communities and they know when someone's son is sick and needs funding to receive life-saving surgery. Our franchisees are often there to help and serve as giving members of their community," said Wogie.
Non-Profits Enjoy the Freedom and Prosperity of Business Ownership
Moxie Java began franchising its espresso cafe concept in 1993. Four years later, it changed from a franchise opportunity to a Licensee concept, therefore eliminating royalty fees. Today, Moxie Java is the largest licensor of espresso cafes in the United States.
As a company, Moxie Java is a proud Sponsor of such events as the St. Luke's Women's Fitness Celebration. At this event, the company provided over 4,500 free lattes during the event's 5-mile run and then provided over 6,000 free brewed coffees during the remainder of the event.
Moxie Java is also very proud of one of their licensees in Reno, Nevada. Here, WARC (Washoe Association for Retarded Citizens), a non-profit organization serving the local community enjoys owning a Moxie Java. In fact, the organization is doing so well and enjoying such great prosperity that they are currently planning their second Moxie Java location in the area, which will be opened within the next year. The organization hopes to eventually open a third location as well.
Rick Dean, Moxie Java's CEO, stated, "The organization had previously owned other businesses but they found that there wasn't a lot of money left over for the projects they wanted to do with the community's retarded peoples. When they noticed that Moxie Java doesn't ask for any royalty fees, they realized that they could gain much more profit from this business and they would be more successful in funding the projects they wanted to do. Even without royalty fees, we still offer our licensees full training, manuals, and more. WARC is so pleased that they're ready to open more locations!"
