News

August 11, 2015

KeyBank Donates Office Furniture to Capital Region Nonprofits

KeyBank is donating surplus office furniture from its office consolidation at its 66 South Pearl St. headquarters to seven Capital Region nonprofits. Chairs, conference room tables, desks, bookcases, whiteboards, file cabinets, refrigerators and kitchen supplies are among the items being donated this month. The nonprofits receiving donations include Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, CEO (Commission for Economic Opportunity), the Palace Theatre, the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Proctors Theater, Vanderheyden and Habitat for Humanity Capital District.

“We value the vital role all these nonprofit organizations play in improving and enhancing the lives of Capital Region residents,” said Ruth Mahoney, president, Capital Region Market, KeyBank. “Key has supported each one of these organizations over the years and are we are proud to continue that support by making their facilities more comfortable, welcoming and functional by donating furniture and supplies we are no longer using.”

“Thank you KeyBank for your donation of furniture,” said Karen Carpenter Palumbo, CEO, Vanderheyden Hall. “Because of you, apartment programs have book cases, conference rooms have matching chairs and old desks are replaced with newer ones.  Thanks for helping Vanderheyden in its mission to change lives to save lives and be the best place to live, work and go to school.”

“Here at Habitat, we are so grateful for our corporate partnerships that assist us in making safe, decent and affordable housing a matter of conscience and action,” said Alicia D’Alessandro, Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager, Habitat for Humanity Capital District. “The beautiful office furniture we received from Key Bank has allowed us to update our main office, helping to create a more-enjoyable work environment for our staff and a new meeting space for our donors, volunteers, future homeowners and community partners. With the help of this donation, we will be able to continue making the dream of homeownership a reality for families in the Capital District.”

“The YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. is so fortunate to have a community partner and friend like KeyBank,” said Malissa Pilette-McClenon, Director of Development and Marketing, YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. “More than 150 women and children call the YWCA-GCR home each year, and our furniture endures an extremely high-level of wear-and-tear. Limited resources have often caused us to postpone purchasing new, badly needed items, or to purchase inexpensive options that prove to be unstainable, costing us more money in the long run. The furniture that KeyBank donated was classically beautiful, and more importantly, of extremely high-quality. These pieces have helped elevate the look and feel of our Executive Director’s office and Board Room, and provided comfortable, quality seating for the multitude of people who utilize our food pantry, which provides more than 23,000 meals to Rensselaer County residents in need each year. Our ultimate goal is to have the YWCA-GCR feel as much like home for all of our residents, and with KeyBank’s help we are able to continue doing so.”

Additionally, more than 100 new binders were donated Sand Creek Middle School, and several boxes of cafeteria trays were donated to Capital City Rescue Mission and the culinary program at Schenectady County Community College.

Community involvement is multifaceted and part of business strategy at Key. Employee volunteerism, philanthropic investments, nonprofit board participation, employee donations and a focus on business goals that can stabilize and revitalize communities are all ways Key gives back to the community. In December, KeyBank was recognized as one of America’s 50 most community-minded companies by The Civic 50, an annual initiative that identifies and recognizes companies for their commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. Key ranked #1 among all financial companies on the list.

“Being a good neighbor is all about noticing needs and filling them where we can,” said Mahoney. “KeyBank works hard across this region to foster community support, so we’re glad to assist all of these worthy organizations in any way that we can.”