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Dermody Properties Grants $50,000 Thanksgiving Capstone Award to Seven Organizations Nationally

We’ve just announced the recipients of our 2019 Annual Dermody Properties Capstone Award. The award is presented each year to help nonprofit organizations address the increased need they experience during the holidays. Each organization was selected by members of our executive team, and we will award $25,000 to The Food Bank of Northern Nevada (FBNN) in Sparks, Nev., $5,000 to BrainUp in Frankfort, Ill., $5,000 to Operation Finally Home in Dallas, Texas, $5,000 to the NJ Sharing Network in New Providence, N.J., $5,000 to the Sonoma County Resilience Fund in Santa Rosa, Calif., $3,500 to the California Fire Foundation in Sacramento, Calif., and $1,500 to the International Association of Fire Fighters Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery in Upper Marlboro, Md.

Food Bank of Northern Nevada
This year’s award will again fund the FBNN school food pantry program. During the 2019 Fiscal Year, FBNN opened four new school pantries and now has a total of 32 school pantries. Through school food pantries in Washoe County, FBNN has assisted more than 3,800 students and their families with access to healthy food.

“Every year, the Thanksgiving Capstone Award brings our company, our executive team and the community together to help those organizations who are truly making an impact in the lives of people – especially children and seniors,” said Michael C. Dermody, Chairman and CEO of Dermody Properties. “At Dermody Properties, this award has become a tradition where we do our part to help ensure the communities in which we do business have the resources they need. We are pleased to continue our support of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and recognize their efforts from this past year to fight hunger and food insecurity among our most vulnerable populations.”

BrainUp
BrainUp is dedicated to bringing awareness to brain cancer and works with patients, families, physicians and researchers toward finding a cure. This year, BrainUp held various successful community events including their fourth annual BrainUp Run and Walk, raising $218,000. The organization also welcomed three new members to its board of directors and created a Young Professional Board (YPB) for people between the ages of 25 and 35-years-old to help them continue raising community awareness.

“The Capstone Award is designed to recognize those organizations that work tirelessly to make a difference in their communities,” said Douglas A. Kiersey, Jr., President of Dermody Properties. “Brain cancer has devastating effects on thousands of people and their families every year. We’re pleased to help support an organization whose mission is to increase awareness of brain cancer through community involvement, as well as provide resources to those individuals who have been diagnosed with this disease.”

Operation Finally Home
Since it was established in 2005, Operation Finally Home has planned and completed more than 250 home projects in 33 states to provide custom-built, mortgage-free homes and home modifications to veterans and widows of fallen soldiers. The organization is focused on helping wounded, ill or injured, and surviving spouses of military heroes, with the help of experienced home builders, suppliers and volunteers.

“Operation Finally Home unites communities for a greater cause,” said Timothy Walsh, Chief Investment Officer at Dermody Properties. “The Capstone Award recognizes organizations that are helping some of the most underrepresented populations. Through its unique work and community involvement, this organization is paying respect to those individuals who have fought for our country.”

NJ Sharing Network
NJ Sharing Network is a Donate Life Organization, a designated Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).

In 2018, the NJ Sharing Network had record-breaking donations resulting in 678 life-saving transplants and an 18 percent increase in heart donations from the prior year. In the past six years, organ donation in New Jersey has increased by 35 percent and heart donation has increased 132 percent.

“The Capstone Award is designed to recognize those organizations that work tirelessly to make a difference in their communities,” said Kiersey. “We’re pleased to support an organization whose mission is to help provide life-saving transplants and whose results-driven advocacy for organ and tissue donation has helped give the gift of life to as many individuals as possible.”

Sonoma County Resilience Fund
The Sonoma County Resilience Fund, created by the Community Foundation Sonoma County (CFSC), helps individuals and families affected by the Kincade Fire.

CFSC strengthens its community through various programs, including the Sonoma County Resilience Fund, which supports long-term recovery efforts in Sonoma County. The fund focuses on helping those who were impacted by the fires by fostering housing solutions and helping victims heal from the long-term trauma. Since its establishment in 2017, the Sonoma County Resilience Fund has granted more than $4.5 million to affected individuals.

“We’re pleased to recognize the efforts of the Sonoma County Resilience Fund this year with the Capstone Award,” said Elizabeth Kauchak, Chief Operating Officer for Dermody Properties. “The devastating effects of natural disasters such as the Kincade Fire have taken homes and peace from the citizens of Sonoma County. We hope our support can aid in the organization’s efforts.”

California Fire Foundation
The California Fire Foundation helps provide emotional and financial assistance to firefighters, their families, and the communities they protect. The organization provides short-term relief to victims of fires by providing basic necessities, and also maintains the California Firefighters memorial to commemorate the bravery of all firefighters killed in the line of duty.

“We’re pleased to recognize an organization dedicated to supporting firefighters and their families, as well as those affected by the fires in California,” said Kauchak. “The California Fire Foundation not only provides financial assistance but spearheads an array of programs including survivor and victim assistance projects and other community initiatives.”

IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery
The IAFF treatment facility specializes in providing treatment services for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction and other related behavioral health challenges exclusively for IAFF members. The program was initially designed for first responders in the aftermath of 9/11.

“We’re pleased to recognize an organization whose unique mission is to provide this kind of support and resources to our firefighters,” said Kauchak. “This organization works tirelessly to get them back on the road to recovery so they’re able to return to the job they’re passionate about.”

The Dermody Properties Annual Thanksgiving Capstone Award is uniquely directed each year by the executive management committee of Dermody Properties, which includes Chairman and CEO Michael C. Dermody; President Douglas A. Kiersey, Jr.; Chief Financial Officer Douglas Lanning; Chief Investment Officer Timothy Walsh; Chief Capital Officer Kathleen Briscoe; and Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Kauchak.