Donations for a difference
The Pacific Life Foundation donates $100,000 to Lynchburg nonprofits
PLAY — Amazement Square, a hands-on learning exhibit, is located in Lynchburg.
Photo Credit: Francine Longie
The Pacific Life Foundation announced Jan. 25 that it expects it will donate an estimated $100,000 to various nonprofit organizations in the Lynchburg, Virginia area in 2017.
The $100,000 is part of a larger giving program the foundation announced.
Pacific Life expects to donate an estimated total of $6.25 million nationwide.
The giving program will primarily focus on areas where Pacific Life employees work, including Lynchburg, Omaha, Nebraska and Orange County, California.
The foundation has donated more than $65,000 to seven nonprofits since the beginning of this year.
The Pacific Life Foundation is owned by the Pacific Life Insurance Company, which has more than half of the U.S.’s largest 100 companies as its clients.
Jesse Page, manager of corporate communications at the Pacific Life Foundation, said helping the community is one of the Pacific Life Foundation’s
core values.
“We are committed to not only being an employer of choice, but also a community partner,” Page said.
Since the foundation started operating in Lynchburg in 2016, it has hired more than 100 employees and started a volunteer team called the “Good Guys.”
The volunteer team is planning to help at various volunteer events throughout the year.
The Lynchburg area-based organizations are focused on a variety of endeavors.
The Academy Center of the Arts, located in downtown Lynchburg, is dedicated to serving the surrounding community through art and culture.
The Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association focuses on research to cure and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
It also provides support for individuals affected by Alzheimer’s and their families.
Amazement Square is a children’s museum in downtown Lynchburg that offers hands-on learning exhibits for children.
American Red Cross of Blue Ridge provides life-saving services in the Blue Ridge, Virginia area.
Iron Lives Inc. is dedicated to helping young people overcome negative thoughts in themselves and others and to change the world.
Miriam’s House works to help overcome homelessness in the Lynchburg community by serving women and families.
United Way of Central Virginia is focused on advancing education, income and
health in the community.
According to the Pacific Life Foundation’s website, the foundation donates to nonprofits in four categories: community and environment services, human services, educational institutes, and art and culture agencies.
The website says nonprofit organizations need both funds and volunteers in order to function.
As a result, the foundation works to support nonprofits by helping to provide these resources.
In the past 30 years, the foundation has donated more than $100 million to various nonprofit organizations.
Van tuyl is a news reporter.