Corporation helps community: Safeway raises money for shelter

Employees of the Carson City Safeway recently voted to help a local nonprofit organization through their "Because Safeway Cares" program. Unanimously, the 100 employees selected Advocates to End Domestic Violence.

David Bowlby, director of public affairs for Safeway Corp. in Pleasanton, Calif., said the program is a companywide initiative offering stores a chance to be involved with their community.

With more than 30 prizes donated to Safeway for their efforts, tickets are being sold for a drawing to be held in June. There are also canisters at each checkout for people to donate change.

The "Because Safeway Cares" program has been in place four years and the stores' headquarters provides canisters and signs for each of the stores. It is up to the employees to come up with creative ideas to raise money.

At the Carson City store, employees are selling tickets for prizes donated by area businesses and on weekends, they sell baked goods.

Spencer Oesterling, 10, the son of employee Kori Oesterling, helps out by selling cookies and other baked items on weekends.

"I like doing this," said Spencer. "It's fun."

Safeway employees Cindy Sturtz, Denise Marangi, Jaime Ramey and Oesterling have acquired donations from area businesses. Ramey is monitoring the amount of donations and reported Monday they are near the $1,000 mark.

"I just thought of it," said Sturtz of the fund-raising idea. "I thought it would be more of an incentive for people to donate money. Usually we just have the little bake sales."

Sturtz said the response from the community has so far been fair, with the employees buying a good amount of tickets, too.

"Our courtesy clerks are good about asking the customers for donations," said Sturtz.

Tickets will be sold through June. The drawing will be held at the end of June and the winner need not be present to win.

Some of the prizes donated include dinners, tanning, rounds of golf (with cart) and golf equipment, automotive services, movie tickets, massages, gift certificates, M.S. Dixie II cruise, a Thomas Kinkade print and much more.

Sturtz also said the employees were pleased they got to choose the nonprofit, and it may make the community feel better knowing the donation is local.

"The stores have committed themselves to the cause," said Bowlby.

"They're the ones along with the customers raising money for a choice nonprofit.

"And the response by the community in the past has been overwhelming. The customers have been very generous to support causes our stores have chosen. We're (Pleasanton headquarters) very proud of the commitment our employees have in serving their community."

YOU CAN HELP

What: "Because Safeway Cares"

When: Through the end of June

Where: Safeway, 2035 N. Carson St.

Tickets: 1 for $2; 3/$5; 15/$20; 35/$50

Info: 882-2560

From left: Paul Hanson, assistant manager, Kori Oesterling and her son, Spencer, 10

Brian shot the art