Giving Our Heart To The Communities We Serve

Giving Our Heart
To The Communities We Serve
2006 Post HOPE Foundation, Inc. Community Relations Report
Dear Friends and Associates,
Help. Heart. Hope. Those of you familiar with the Post HOPE Foundation will recognize
these words as the common thread that runs through all that we do. This year, you’ll notice
other words of service woven throughout our annual report that help us tell the powerful
stories of those who benefit the most from our efforts – not necessarily the organizations we
support, but the individuals they serve.
With your help, we worked diligently this year to inspire those who have lost their way;
nourish those who are hungry; shelter those who are in need; educate those who are
less fortunate; and enhance the community as a whole. We put our goals aside and
work backstage to place worthy beneficiaries in the limelight. Post associates interact
with organizations we support, and their efforts are often like a stone thrown into a
pond − creating a ripple of hope throughout the community.
The Post HOPE Foundation continues to serve as a vehicle for Post associates and residents
to volunteer for charitable events and projects spanning across all 10 cities that Post calls
home. We contribute thousands of volunteer hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars
each year to meet a simple goal − to give our best to those who need it most.
We hope the personal accounts on the following pages bring as much light and inspiration
into your lives as they have to ours. Celebrating our 35th anniversary, Post looks forward
to another groundbreaking year as we collaborate with you to spread hope to all of the
communities we serve.
Sincerely,
David P. Stockert
Janie S. Maddox
President & CEO
Senior Vice President, Post Properties, Inc.
Post Properties, Inc
Executive Director, Post HOPE Foundation, Inc.
Enhance
At Post, our commitment to landscaping is a
natural extension of our commitment to quality
− a hallmark of Post since our founding. Each
year, we enhance the communities we serve by
planting seeds for those in need.
This year, many Post associates used one of their
twice-annual Post HOPE Workdays to lend a
“thumb” (green, of course!) to many nonprofits.
Post associates brightened hearts of resident
families and children at two Atlanta Ronald
McDonald Houses, assisting with landscaping,
maintenance and housekeeping needs.
Creating a Home Away from Home...
Chrissy Katz and her family enjoy a moment together at the Peachtree-Dunwoody Ronald McDonald
House. Without the hundreds of volunteer hours contributed by Post associates who donate to keep the
facility well-maintained, the Ronald McDonald House would be just a little less welcoming to visitors
like the Katz family.
Chrissy Katz was a typical high school senior. The future was undeniably bright for this 19-year-old
Albany resident, until a fateful accident with a dump truck. Her car was pushed 150 feet and slipped into
a ditch. Chrissy suffered broken bones, internal fractures and a traumatic brain injury.
Post associates also enhanced the grounds of
the Atlanta Union Mission, Cleveland Elementary
and Canine Assistants. In Addison, Texas, a
small park was dedicated to the memory of
a Post associate who succumbed to cancer,
leaving a lifelong tribute to the spirit of a woman
who inspired many of our associates and truly
embodied the Post spirit. At Atlanta’s Shepherd
Center, the company brought its floral expertise
indoors, brightening the interiors with beautiful
seasonal decorations and arrangements.
Chrissy’s mother Sara patiently waited by her bedside until her daughter awoke from a coma nearly three
weeks later. Sara was elated, but she knew there would be a hard road ahead. Chrissy was transferred to
Atlanta, where she would endure months of intensive physical therapy. The travel and cost of temporary
lodging was one additional stress the family did not need.
When Sara first heard about the Ronald McDonald House, she was apprehensive. She never imagined
that her family would need to stay in a “shelter.” But, as she pulled into the driveway, she was in awe.
From the lavish flower beds and manicured lawns to the cozy bedrooms and cheerful staff, Sara realized
she had found her miracle.
Throughout the past year and a half, Sara and Chrissy have traveled between Albany and Atlanta for her
rehabilitation program. It wasn’t long before the two felt at home in the Peachtree-Dunwoody Ronald
McDonald House. Now an in-house celebrity, Chrissy is greeted with smiles and cheers from her friends
each time she enters the house. From a special Valentine’s Day gift to a thoughtful helping hand, Chrissy
and Sara are constantly surprised by the little things that make this their “home away from home.”
for those in need.
Nourish
One way we give back to the communities
we serve each year is by joining forces to
fight hunger across the nation. Each year,
Post associates and residents raise money
for organizations like the Atlanta Community
Food Bank, the North Texas Food Bank and
Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa with raffles,
car washes, rummage sales and even pool
parties. Through these acts of giving, we are
able to nourish communities and help “put a
can on hunger.”
Taking Action with Genuine Care...
Post associates smile at this year’s “Boxes of Hope” drive. Their fundraising efforts benefited
Metropolitan Ministries, a Tampa shelter dedicated to reaching out to poor, hungry and homeless
men, women and children in their time of need. There, residents like Naomi and her daughter can
enjoy a warm meal, a change of clothes and a simple smile as they discover life-changing answers
and real-life skills.
After realizing that her life was headed in the wrong direction, Naomi and her three-year-old daughter,
Tianna, gathered their belongings and left New York to start from scratch in Florida. However, the
“Sunshine State” wasn’t quite the paradise that she had expected. Hounded by temptation and addiction,
Naomi gathered her belongings once again and headed to the bus station to leave town.
Naomi stepped onto the bus with nowhere to go. Recognizing her despair, the bus driver suggested
that she visit Metropolitan Ministries. The Tampa shelter opened its arms to Naomi, welcoming her
with food, shelter, clothing and care. Immediately, Naomi felt a sense of encouragement as she registered
for assistance.
With the help of Metropolitan Ministries, Naomi is now on the road to recovery. The organization
provided her with more than a meal each day, but rather nourished her spirit and her soul. She thanks
those who have donated their time and money to the organization, which has provided her with
so much hope.
“You care. Thank you for genuinely caring,” says Naomi.
In 2006, Post again teamed up with the
Atlanta Apartment Association for the annual
Food-A-Thon. This drive collected more than
250,000 pounds of food and more than half
a million dollars – a total equivalent to more
than 4 million meals! Thanks to the efforts of
Post associates, Post Properties is an annual
leader in terms of pounds of food and funds
collected for the Atlanta Community Food
Bank. In Tampa, Post associates and residents
gathered enough food and funds to provide
44 families with “Boxes of Hope” during the
holiday season, ensuring that families were
fed at a critical time of the year. Associates
also volunteered at food banks in Orlando and
New York City in 2006.
In all of these instances, the Post teams don’t
merely collect and deliver food – volunteers
often help set up, unload trucks, pre-sort food
and clean up at the end of long, fulfilling days.
Shelter
As one of the nation’s largest developers and
operators of upscale multifamily communities,
it’s no surprise that Post often provides shelter for
those in need.
The Post Addison Circle Heroes Charity Golf
Tournament is an annual golf tournament that raises
money for Dallas-area charitable causes. For a
small $100 participation fee, tournament players
received giveaways, a free round of golf and
a dose of humility as they geared up to tee off
and deliver HEART to a family in Dallas who had
lost their way. This year proved to be the most
successful yet − the tournament raised more than
$50,000 for Dallas Habitat for Humanity.
Building Shelter – One Home at a Time...
In 2006, Dallas-area Post associates joined forces with the Dallas Habitat for Humanity to nail down
a bright future for a local family in need. With a variety of fundraising and hands-on efforts, Post
associates help build housing that deserving families can call home.
Every day, Rita can’t wait to get home. She thinks about her cozy den, and unlike many Americans, recalls
the time and care it took to build it – partially with her own hands. But she didn’t work alone.
Leading the charge on Rita’s home was the Dallas Habitat for Humanity and Post’s Dallas-area associates.
Her first day on the construction site, Rita recalls thinking that it might take a miracle to complete her new
home. At that point, the home wasn’t much more than a few wooden beams, but it quickly took shape.
Rita’s son contributed where he could and learned valuable life lessons of humility and honor along the way.
After hundreds of volunteer hours donated by Post associates, Rita and her son were handed the keys to
their new home. Built on a foundation of unconditional care for fellow human beings, Rita and her son
realize that their home is more than a place of dwelling; it is an experience of love and hope that they’ll
never forget.
This effort is just one of many that the Post HOPE
Foundation makes each year to provide shelter
for those who need it. Past efforts have included
repairing aging homes in historic neighborhoods
and service in homeless shelters. This year, Post
associates served hot meals to the homeless at the
Atlanta Union Mission, supported an after-school
program in Richardson, Texas with a major inkind gift, and made contributions to Cobb Street
Ministries, a shelter for abused women
and children in Atlanta.
But ultimately, the dollars raised by Post and its
associates fund priceless gifts for many worthy
families − including the one in Dallas highlighted
on the facing page, where a combination of
fundraising and sweat equity created a new home
for one grateful woman and her son.
for the communities
we serve.
Educate
Education happens constantly, and can occur
anywhere. It can happen in the classroom, on the
street, or in the comfort of your own home. And
it can happen when a group of people come
together to build awareness and understanding.
Developing Minds
with Hands-on Learning...
Post Properties’ President and CEO David Stockert joins Post associates Nancy Wagley, Dave
O’Donnell and Sarah Malaby to teach the students of Cleveland Elementary School the importance
and beauty of nature during a Post HOPE Workday.
Thanks to Post’s associates, the fourth-grade students at Cleveland Elementary School are learning the
importance of sustainability and an appreciation for nature as they work to maintain the Scientific Outdoor
Lab, an outdoor vegetable and plant garden. The Lab was created by Post associates in a hands-on tutorial
with the students during one of Post’s bi-annual Post HOPE Workdays. Now proficient in botany,
students are charged with daily maintenance of the garden and the surrounding landscaping.
Principal Rhonda Ware-Brazier couldn’t be more pleased with the children’s collaborative efforts with
Post. Not only are the children learning about the plant life cycle, they are beautifying the school grounds
and providing special education students with an outlet to hone in on their senses.
The Lab sits just outside the special education classroom, providing a serene view for the students.
Students often take daily outings to walk through the gardens, providing a well-deserved break from their
daily studies.
Each year, the Post HOPE Foundation works
diligently backstage to shine a light on worthy
beneficiaries. These beneficiaries then educate
individuals and the community about critical
causes. The Foundation also focuses its efforts
on organizations that teach lessons in character
and perseverance. Our belief is that a learningfocused approach multiplies our dollars and our
time, spreading the impact of these lessons and
contributions across communities and generations.
One organization that focuses on education and
character is My Sister’s House, a women’s shelter
in midtown Atlanta. Our efforts there helped
Connie, a young mother, recover from addiction,
regain custody of her two sons and eventually
consider opening her own shelter to pass on the
lessons she has learned.
In 2006, we educated thousands of residents in
Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia about
cancer as we raised funds for the Susan G.
Komen Foundation at our acclaimed Bachelor/
Bachelorette Auction. We designed and installed
a learning garden at Cleveland Elementary School
in Atlanta for handicapped students (see facing
page for more). At the Tommy Nobis Center in
Atlanta, Post HOPE contributions have helped
special needs teens and adults receive training.
Inspire
The art of inspiration is at the very core of the
Post HOPE Foundation. Our efforts aim to touch
all who interact with the Post brand – from our
associates to our residents to the community at
large. Through these collaborative efforts, we aim
to inspire the minds of many and bring life and
HEART to the communities we serve, but we take
a special pride in inspiring and assisting causes
related to children and youth.
On the facing page, you’ll learn more about the
efforts of Post associates, residents and vendors
to raise money to benefit the Presbyterian Blume
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic in
Charlotte. The fundraiser enjoyed tremendous
success from a financial standpoint, but it also was
a testimony to the power of service.
Helping Young Lives Blume...
Maggie, a young patient at the Presbyterian Blume Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic, draws
a picture during her visit. Each year, Post associates take part in a fundraiser to benefit the Charlottebased clinic and support the Child Life Program, which enhances the clinic environment for patients
and their families.
Eight-year-old Jennifer is a vivacious young lady who is overcoming the odds in spite of her current
medical condition. Jennifer has been receiving chemotherapy treatment for the past year at the
Presbyterian Blume Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic.
We also inspired others by providing toys
and gifts to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in
Tampa. In Atlanta, we sponsored the Children’s
Restoration Network’s 12 Days of Caring program
by allowing residents and the general public to
donate toys and goods at all Post communities.
In Tampa, we raised $7,500 for the Shriners
Hospital by hosting a golf tournament. Shriners
Hospitals for Children – located in 22 cities –
provide specialized care for orthopedic conditions,
burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate.
As they wrap up their final treatment session, saying goodbye to the Blume Clinic is bittersweet for
Jennifer and her mother, Dedee. They have grown fond of the Charlotte-based clinic throughout the past
year. From the level of personal care offered by each staff member to the variety of entertainment options
provided to its patients, the clinic was the perfect match for Jennifer and Dedee.
Staff at the Blume Clinic even took extra measures to educate Jennifer and Dedee about her condition,
which enabled them to grow and take control of the situation.
for all.
2 0 0 6 F inancials
M i s s i o n S t a t eme n t
The Post HOPE Foundation will provide help for those in need
with donations of time, money and resources from our associates
and residents; heart for the communities we serve by leading as
a conscientious corporate citizen; and hope for all by giving our
best to those who need it most.
Foundation Information
The Post HOPE Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit that functions
as the employee giving and charitable distribution arm of Post
BALANCE SHEET
Properties, Inc. (NYSE: PPS). It is responsible for facilitating
Payroll Deductions
$34,112.96
One-time and Corporate Contributions
$83,850.00
employee service projects, coordinating employee giving
programs and assisting with employee fundraising efforts.
Beginning Balance (Jan. 1, 2006) $4,398.92
Net Fundraising Events
Donations/Disbursements to Charities
Ending Balance (Dec. 31, 2006)
$205,559.49
($264,324.66)
$63,596.71
Should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions
regarding Post HOPE, please direct all correspondence to Janie
Maddox, senior vice president and executive director.
2 0 0 6 B e n ef i c i a r i e s
American Heart Association
American Red Cross
Atlanta Children’s Shelter
Atlanta Community Food Bank
Atlanta Police Foundation
Atlanta Union Mission
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Atlanta
Canine Assistants
Children’s Restoration Network
City Harvest - New York
Cobb County Senior Services
Cobb Family Resources
Cobb Street Ministries
Cure Childhood Cancer
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Dallas Area Habitat For Humanity
Empty Stocking Fund
English for Successful Living
Fanconi Anemia Research Fund
Horizons Atlanta
Humane Society of Tampa
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Make-A-Wish Foundation
March of Dimes - Charlotte
Metro Atlanta YMCA
Muscular Dystrophy Association
North Texas Food Bank
Partnership Against Domestic Violence
Blume Clinic/Presbyterian Hospital
Ronald McDonald House
Safehouse Outreach
Salvation Army
Senior Citizens of Metro Atlanta
Shriners Hospital of Tampa
Special Olympics Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Tommy Nobis Foundation
United Care - Dallas
United Way
Help. Heart. Hope.
Post HOPE Foundation, Inc.
4401 Northside Parkway, Suite 800
One Riverside
Atlanta, Georgia 30327
404.846.5000