GIFT OF GIVING CAMPAIGN
OCTOBER 7, 2024 through NOVEMBER 1, 2024
MARY MOORE FOUNDATION
The Mary Moore Foundation was created in 1983 by the late Executive Chairman of Southwestern Family of Companies, Spencer Hays, out of love and respect for his grandmother, Mary Moore. He quoted Granny Mary more often than famous authors, poets, or leaders in any field. Her wisdom, gleaned from everyday living, always seems to apply to most situations.
“Granny Mary was never blessed with wealth but she always found a way to do what she needed to do for her family and always seemed to have ‘something left over’ for others.”
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-Spencer Hays
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The Foundation was established to help team members and their families who are facing serious hardships but may not qualify for aid through other charitable organizations or government agencies.
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Examples of where the Mary Moore Foundation helps team members financially include:
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Death of a family member and needed assistance with funeral costs.
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Aid to purchase a vehicle after a traumatic automobile accident.
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Health crisis that caused financial hardship due to expenses not covered by medical insurance.
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Any team member of Southwestern Family of Companies can apply for assistance for themselves or for someone in their immediate family who has a crisis in their lives.
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SPONSORED BY
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IMPACT
"It fires my spirit, quickens my step, and gladdens my heart to know that I am surrounded by people who share my pride in our companies’ commitment to the important values of integrity, character, and quality. It is the way we conduct our business every day, every month, and every year. We continue our commitment to people—our employees, our customers, our vendors, and the communities where we live and work. In all of our relationships, respect, and trust with which we work together are a wonderful result of our dedication to excellence and to one another."
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-Spencer Hays
SUCCESS STORIES
A team member received news that their son who serves in the United States Army was involved in a parachute accident while on a training mission in the North Pole. He miraculously survived the accident, but because his injuries were not immediately apparent, he did not receive immediate and necessary medical attention or care. Our team member’s concerned phone calls and emails from 3,000 miles away were going unanswered. The Mary Moore Foundation provided the resources that this team member needed to go to Alaska, see their son, and advocate for his medical and emotional needs after this trauma.
"We are a Family of Companies. A family that cares for one another."
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Ways to Give
The Gift of Giving Campaign 2024 is about more than raising money for a worthy foundation; it also strengthens connections between team members. When you give, your contribution helps foster both individual and collective success.
Learn the ways you can donate below.
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS
Employees can sign up for payroll deductions. Payroll deduction means you can donate to this cause directly from your earnings. This is the easiest way to donate.
ONE-TIME DONATION
Employees and Independent Contractors can make a donation conveniently by e-check, credit card, or ACH/wire through our partner, Waterstone. For anonymous donations and to gift nontraditional assets, please call 719-447-4620.
You can choose a one-time payroll deduction or ongoing payroll deduction. This option is for employees only. Independent contractors must use the other button.
Mary Moore Foundation is a Ministry Program Fund of WaterStone Support Foundation, Inc., TID# 84-1430063. All contributions are irrevocable gifts under the directions and control of the WaterStone Board of Directors but will be restricted for the general purposes of the Ministry Program Fund.
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Your donation to the Mary Moore Foundation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law in the United States.
GET INVOLVED
You will have two opportunities this campaign season to learn more about this wonderful foundation and how you can get involved to make a difference.
Halloween Celebration with Chili Cook-Off
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Landers Plaza
2451 Atrium Way
Nashville, TN 37214
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Virtual Event:
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Virtual information will be shared.
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By attending one of these events, you will automatically earn 3 raffle tickets.
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The number of raffle tickets you earn correlates to the dollar amount donated as noted below.
$1 to $52 = 5 tickets
$53 to $103 = 10 tickets
$104 to $499 = 15 tickets
$500 to $999 = 20 tickets
$1,000 plus = 25 tickets
FEATURED SPEAKERS
HENRY BEDFORD
Henry Bedford has more than 50 years in sales and business management.
He achieved a B.A. in Economics from The University Of The South and an MBA from Southern Methodist University and began his career with the Southwestern Company as a Student Dealer in 1972.
During his tenure, Henry has been involved with each of the company’s startups and acquisitions as Southwestern has grown from one line of business, $12,000,000 company in 1976, to a $90,000,000 diverse group of companies in 2024, with 26 separate operating divisions and companies. The Southwestern Family of Companies provides a large range of products and services, including educational books and websites, insurance, sales and leadership coaching, executive recruiting, business consulting services, real estate, warehouse distribution, and more.
Henry’s personal interests include special projects to help people in challenging situations. This has led to building a house for a family in need, paying educational costs for underprivileged children in third world countries and building Safe Haven Family Shelter in Nashville in 1990. Henry was voted Nashville’s Public Citizen of the Year in 1991 by the Nashville Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
PATTY HOPPENSTEDT
Patty Hoppenstedt joined the Southwestern Family of Companies as Vice President of Human Resources in February of 2020. Patty currently serves the family of companies as the Chief People Officer. She has nearly 30 years of experience in operations and human resources leadership across a variety of corporate and government entities. Patty has served in human resources and operations leadership roles for commercial, educational, healthcare, sales, and retail clients. She has demonstrated success in achieving business results by identifying efficiencies and key strategies. Patty serves as a Board Member for Southwestern Family of Companies and the Mary Moore Foundation.
Patty has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Patty is married to her husband Todd and they have two children. They relocated from the Chicago area in 2018 and have made middle Tennessee their home. Patty and her family enjoy time in the Smoky Mountains, their annual summer trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and visiting amusement parks. Patty’s children consider themselves to be roller coaster enthusiasts.
HENRY BEDFORD
Henry Bedford has more than 50 years in sales and business management.
He achieved a B.A. in Economics from The University Of The South and an MBA from Southern Methodist University and began his career with the Southwestern Company as a Student Dealer in 1972.
During his tenure, Henry has been involved with each of the company’s startups and acquisitions as Southwestern has grown from one line of business, $12,000,000 company in 1976, to a $90,000,000 diverse group of companies in 2024, with 26 separate operating divisions and companies. The Southwestern Family of Companies provides a large range of products and services, including educational books and websites, insurance, sales and leadership coaching, executive recruiting, business consulting services, real estate, warehouse distribution, and more.
Henry’s personal interests include special projects to help people in challenging situations. This has led to building a house for a family in need, paying educational costs for underprivileged children in third world countries and building Safe Haven Family Shelter in Nashville in 1990. Henry was voted Nashville’s Public Citizen of the Year in 1991 by the Nashville Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
PATTY HOPPENSTEDT
Patty Hoppenstedt joined the Southwestern Family of Companies as Vice President of Human Resources in February of 2020. Patty currently serves the family of companies as the Chief People Officer. She has nearly 30 years of experience in operations and human resources leadership across a variety of corporate and government entities. Patty has served in human resources and operations leadership roles for commercial, educational, healthcare, sales, and retail clients. She has demonstrated success in achieving business results by identifying efficiencies and key strategies. Patty serves as a Board Member for Southwestern Family of Companies and the Mary Moore Foundation.
Patty has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Patty is married to her husband Todd and they have two children. They relocated from the Chicago area in 2018 and have made middle Tennessee their home. Patty and her family enjoy time in the Smoky Mountains, their annual summer trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and visiting amusement parks. Patty’s children consider themselves to be roller coaster enthusiasts.
LISALEE RIPORTELLA
Lisalee is a happy wife to Craig Riportella, proud mother of five amazing adult children, and giddy grandmother to two precious granddaughters. She has always worked in community relations whether through Centerpoint Community Church serving as the Outreach Director, Cruisin' Country 93.5 FM as an on-air personality and Promotions Coordinator, or as an active member of Waterville Sunrise Rotary. Lisalee had great success in team building and recruiting with the jewelry company Lia Sophia. She also thoroughly enjoyed her role as International Exchange Director for a private F-1 program in Maine where she and her family hosted over 300 international students and teachers over a 15 year period. She is currently the Host Family Lead Manager for Southwestern Advantage and Trailblazer of Guiding Principles for Kids and Teens.
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Lisalee loves interior design believing that "a house is not a home until it hugs you." She spends her free time breeding and raising the friendliest and fluffiest Silkie chickens in the whole world.