Lipman Family Farms’ commitment to community, especially to school children, resonates throughout the company. That desire to give back and help those in need is being recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Collier/Lee, naming Lipman the “Outstanding Philanthropic Organization for 2019.”
Lipman was honored for its charitable work in Immokalee and Collier County during a ceremony Nov. 12 in Naples. “It is an honor to be recognized by the organizations that we support, but the real reward is watching young people go on to lead successful lives,” said Jaime Weisinger, Government and Community Relations Director of Lipman Family Farms. “We certainly don’t offer support in search of awards, but it is humbling to get recognized for your efforts.”
That support is especially significant within the Collier County school system where over the last six years Lipman has provided over 10,000 students with school supplies during the company’s annual backpack giveaway and back-to-school event. “We have become a resource to help ease the hectic back-to-school season, while ensuring the children of our communities are set up for success,” Weisinger said.
The company’s commitment to opening academic doors for students remains resolute as Lipman offers scholarships to Immokalee High students and other children each year. In the last 5 years alone, Lipman has awarded over $230,000 in college and trade school scholarships.
Lipman’s annual contributions to RCMA and their Immokalee Community School is helping the non-profit group with its pre-K and daycare facilities, as well as its three charter schools. The donations, which have totaled almost $500,000, represent direct support for the migrant community and the organization that provides essential services for them.
Immokalee High School’s cross-country team is running better and faster thanks to Lipman. Weisinger said the company learned the boys and girls on the team were running on the same pair of shoes they wore to school. Lipman bought each member of the team new running shoes recently and the boys’ team qualified for the state cross-country championships in Tallahassee this season.
Lipman’s partnership with Brighter Bites, a national non-profit organization that provides 30 pounds of fruits and vegetables each week to families along with nutrition education, sampling, and recipe ideas, has served $350,000 worth of healthy food over the last three years. “We are very passionate about Brighter Bites’ mission and support the growth of their programs in Immokalee and SW Florida in any way we can,” Weisinger says.
“The community is what has made us successful and we want to give back to the migrant families,” Weisinger said.
The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County has also benefited from Lipman’s generosity, having received a $1 million gift from the company to help with the club’s various programs.