RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer partnered with The READ Center for the fourth quarter of 2020 through their Thalhimer Gives program, a company initiative focused on community involvement and charitable giving. Through Thalhimer Gives, associates actively engage in the community by donating financially, providing much-needed supplies, and giving generously of their time to local non-profit organizations. 

• Donating financially
   o Thalhimer associates raised $2,450 for The READ Center through “Friday Jeans”. “Friday Jeans” allows Thalhimer associates to wear jeans every Friday by making a $5 donation to the Thalhimer Gives partner organization, along with a company match. Thalhimer also sponsored a Trivia Bee competition in their Richmond office, which included an entry fee to benefit The READ Center.

• Giving generously of their time
   o Thalhimer partnered with The READ Center for several volunteer opportunities, and provided associates paid time off to give back.
      – Thalhimer associates helped spruce up The READ Center’s conference room by applying a fresh coat of paint and reorganizing the space. Social distancing guidelines were followed and achieved with two different sessions to help accomplish this goal for The READ Center.
      – Many Thalhimer associates recorded audio books on behalf The READ Center, both in private offices at Thalhimer Center, as well as while working from home. The READ Center uses audio recordings of reading materials to help students follow along with their independent readings.
      – Thalhimer associates created five teams to compete in a Trivia Bee on behalf of The READ Center. All team entry fees, plus company match, were included in the donation to The READ Center.

• Providing much-needed supplies
   o Thalhimer associates donated various office supplies including copy paper, computer supplies, Forever stamps, flip chart pads, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! One was not enough to show how much we appreciate Thalhimer’s support. Their financial generosity and generosity of time and spirit were so very much appreciated in a very tough year. From painting our conference room to helping to pilot a program to provide recordings of books to READ Center students, they jumped in with great enthusiasm and made the project fun. Again, thank you for all you have done for The READ Center and all you continue to do to make our community a better place for all,” said Karen La Forge, Executive Director, The READ Center. 

“Most of us take reading and writing for granted. Yet many adults do not have these skills. Imagine how intimidating the world would be without the ability to read a traffic sign or a restaurant menu. The READ Center steps in and helps adults learn to read and write and gain confidence. It’s a great service to our community and a cause that Thalhimer was thrilled to support,” Lee Warfield, President & CEO of Thalhimer.