In keeping with its mission to bridge the gap between the resources of business and service to humanity, Roadwire Inc., a leading supplier of custom-crafted OEM and aftermarket leather interiors, recently announced that Roadwire Cares, a 501c3 nonprofit entity established to provide humanitarian aid, successfully raised $40,000 to help Haitian victims devastated by Hurricane Matthew.
The project—funded in part by contributions from customers, suppliers and employees who raised $10,000—was matched by a $10,000 contribution from Roadwire Cares. These funds, in turn, were gifted to Mission of Hope in Haiti, which then matched the fundraising effort with an additional $20,000. The resulting $40,000 donation was used to feed more than 160,000 children affected by the hurricane.
The faith-based initiative is at the core of Roadwire Inc.’s philanthropic commitment to dedicate 10 percent of its organizational profits to support humanitarian outreach, according to the company.
Jeshanna Forrister, giving coordinator for Roadwire Cares, said the nonprofit is focused on projects that alleviate poverty, provide access to economic opportunities, improve quality of life and develop leaders.
“I have the privilege of helping to develop our strategic philanthropy plan,” said Forrister. “Our goal is to match our financial and in-kind resources, both internationally and locally, with other nonprofit organizations based on common causes to provide immediate relief and opportunities. We also want to make it possible for our employees to serve and give back to communities with a hands-on approach. It’s a fun job, because it’s so organic. Everybody benefits—those who are receiving and those who are participating.”
In addition to the recent fundraising efforts, Roadwire has provided funding and other in-kind resources in Haiti. This includes donating unused leather and industrial sewing machinery to Three Cords, which employs women with disabilities who sew handbags and other products, and whose profits support the island’s only prosthetics lab.
Roadwire is also working with Mission of Hope to build a new factory in Haiti and has pledged to provide funding and equipment to help increase commerce and employment. In an earlier project in Ensenada, Mexico, Roadwire’s executive team and their families partnered with Youths With a Mission (YWAM) to build a house for a local family from the ground up in the course of two days.
“It’s all about creating relationships and making a difference through a common, white-hot purpose,” said Dave Edmondson, senior VP of Roadwire Inc. and its subsidiaries, Distinctive Industries, Signature Automotive, Roadwire Leather and Classic Soft Trim. “The pillars of our philanthropic endeavors ensure that Roadwire Cares is matched with other nonprofit organizations, and aligned with other automotive industry businesses and leaders, that share our focus on societal causes and our purpose in life.”
Roadwire Inc., a third-generation, privately owned company based in Austin, Texas, was founded in 1969.