When bettering mankind is a top consideration in selecting an occupation, PR generally isn’t the first profession that comes to mind. Cancer researcher . . . absolutely. School teacher . . . definitely. Firefighter . . . yes.
Though maligned as a practice in its infancy, public relations has long proven itself to be a profession that is strategic, beneficial and vital to the entities it supports, as important as any management function.
Though public relations enhances the culture and society in which we live, the practice of nonprofit public relations does contribute to the betterment of mankind in ways large and small. It also provides personal reward for those who work in this arena, which I have been privileged to do for many years.
As Franco Public Relations Group celebrates our tenth anniversary of supporting The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit this year, I am proud to have led the agency’s efforts for the past three. As we plan for another annual Christmas season Red Kettle Campaign, we’re buoyed by fact that Franco has played a key role in:
- enabling the nonprofit to deliver a wide range of human services, including serving 3,377,846 meals and providing 807,418 nights of shelter this past year to metro Detroiters in need.
- helping The Salvation Army generate $8.86 million in corporate and individual donations last year, the largest amount in the nonprofit’s history in this community. We’re setting our financial sights even higher for 2014 – $9 million – to meet the needs of even more neighbors.
- keeping Detroit among the top five Salvation Army divisions across the country in Red Kettle fundraising results year after year.
We’re also proud of the seven years Franco has supported the good work of Arbor Hospice, which is celebrating 30 years of providing comfort and support at the end-of-life for persons with life-limiting conditions, and their families. Prior to working with Arbor Hospice, I was one of those family members who realized the tremendous value of hospice care in nursing both of my parents through devastating illness. To now have the chance, professionally, to put my personal experiences to use in educating others about the benefits of hospice – and the exceptional service that Arbor Hospice delivers – is rewarding on many levels.
We’re equally proud of our growing relationship with the Belle Isle Conservancy. It was our privilege to give back to the community by working closely with the organization – in partnership with the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, the Penske Corporation and General Motors – to host this past May’s still-talked-about Grand Prixmiere. Our involvement in generating more than $650,000 to support the Conservancy’s mission of restoring, preserving, protecting and enhancing the natural environment, historic structures and unique character of Belle Isle as a public park is satisfying. Even more so as we gear up to do it again in May 2015!
As public relations manager of the nonprofit Walter P. Chrysler Museum in my pre-Franco days, it was very gratifying to see the pleasure and camaraderie among the auto enthusiasts attending the many cruise nights, lecture programs, exhibitions and other special events I had a hand in. There’s nothing like the joy that arises from a gathering of car buffs.
And what better way to elevate mankind than with a little joy? What satisfaction have you experienced in supporting a nonprofit organization?
