Wednesday, November 24, 2010

2010 Tech Citizenship honoree: Evergreen USA LLC

Robert Otto co-founded Evergreen USA LLC in 2008, and that same year the company undertook its first charitable effort: sponsoring a 5K road race to benefit a homeless shelter in New Hampshire.

Then in 2009, Otto and his Nashua-based company began to take a greater role with the shelter, the Anne-Marie House in Hudson, and the Greater Nashua Interfaith Hospitality Network Inc., the nonprofit that runs the shelter. The company now helps the charity with its marketing, newsletters and website, and Otto sits on its board of trustees as well.

Though Evergreen USA is small — the company has a dozen employees and saw $625,000 in revenue in 2009 — Otto says that’s no reason to forgo charitable efforts.

“Companies don’t exist in their little bubbles,” he said. “You’re part of a community, so you want to try to give back where you can.”

This year, Evergreen USA donated $2,000 to sponsor the road race and helped organize it as well. The race ultimately raised $17,000 for the Anne-Marie House.

Citizenship facts
Total cash contributions in New England in 2009: $2,000

Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2009: 380

In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England in 2009: $12,500

Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2009: Lions Club/Charities, Greater Nashua Interfaith Hospitality, Network (Anne-Marie House)

Interesting philanthropic activities: Cash donations; volunteering at events to raise funds and awareness; being a lead sponsor for a charity race to raise funds for Anne-Marie House, as well as helping the organizing committee in finding ways to make that event even more of a success.