CHAPTER FOUR:

Giving Back To Our Community

“The community element is truly important to our employees. They are extremely active in the community and generous in the background. From the arts to education to nonprofits like United Way, our company is grateful to give back.”

Alex McCants – VP of Human Resources

A Legacy of Doing the Right Thing

As a fourth-generation family company, Colonial Group makes decisions with the next era in mind. Every community in which we operate builds our future, and we approach each one with a simple but powerful philosophy: The better we support our communities' health and well-being, the more shared success will be created for the generation ahead.

In a world that runs increasingly on clicks and algorithms, we place high value on authenticity. We support our communities and do the right thing, whether someone is watching or not; actions still speak louder than words.

The Colonial Foundation recently established five key focus areas that will guide our philanthropic efforts moving forward:

Arts

Programs and initiatives that promote artistic expression, cultural enrichment, and creativity within our communities.

Education

Programs and initiatives that enhance access to quality education, foster innovation in learning, and support lifelong learning opportunities.

Environment

Programs and initiatives that promote environmental conservation, sustainability, and the preservation of natural resources.

Safety Net Programs

Programs and initiatives that assist individuals and families facing economic hardship, homelessness, food insecurity, and other basic needs challenges.

Upward Mobility Efforts

Programs and initiatives that help break barriers to socioeconomic advancement, including workforce development and financial literacy programs.

In 2023 alone, Colonial Group contributed to more than 50 nonprofit organizations whose work focuses on one or more of the above areas.

United Way of The Coastal Empire

The mission of United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. The organization does this by supporting nonprofit programs, providing direct assistance to those in need through the 211 information and referral service and county service centers, and connecting volunteers to causes that strengthen our communities.

Since 1938, Colonial has partnered with United Way. Founder Raymond M. Demere served as United Way’s Board Chair in 1942 and promoted the Community Chest (now known as United Way of the Coastal Empire) in Savannah. 

Raymond's grandson Robert H. Demere, Jr., our company’s past president and current Chairman of the Board of Directors, was involved with United Way throughout his career, albeit often in the background. He saw the need for United Way to have a permanent building in Effingham County and generously sponsored the construction of a building that bears his name in honor of his efforts.

However, it's not just the Demere family who has a long and established relationship with United Way. Each year, the Colonial Family contributes to the organization through the fall fundraising campaign. In 2023, Colonial matched our employees' generous contributions for a total donation of $552,000. We’re also proud to have more Alexis de Tocqueville Society donors (individuals who give $10,000 or more each year to United Way) than any other business in our four-county region. Colonial is deeply committed to supporting our community through United Way of the Coastal Empire. 

Junior Achievement of Georgia 

Colonial Group has also been a loyal supporter of Junior Achievement of Georgia for many years. In 2022, the Junior Achievement Colonial Group Discovery Center opened at Georgia Southern University Armstrong campus in Savannah. The facility serves middle school students from five counties through JA’s BizTown and Finance Park programs. These intentional programs teach students real-world experience in running a business, balancing a budget, and applying for a loan. 

The Discovery Center also gives GSU students opportunities to work, volunteer, and mentor middle school students visiting the campus. Since its opening, Colonial employees have assisted in providing financial literacy programming to students by volunteering their time to help facilitate innovative business simulations at the program center. 

 

Colonial Cares: Our Employee Volunteer Committee

Colonial Cares is our Employee Volunteer Committee. Our mission is to connect passionate employees with meaningful volunteer opportunities. Service is a way of life here, and the Colonial Cares team offers a variety of options, from one-time events to collection drives. These opportunities allow our employees to give back to the community and develop relationships in our cities alongside their colleagues.

Holiday Collection Drives...

Each year, Colonial employees purchase and donate gifts and necessities for children in need through the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program and for homebound seniors through our partnership with Senior Citizens, Inc.

Enmarket Bridge Run...

Held each December, the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run benefiting the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion has become an iconic event in historic Savannah, Georgia. Several dozen Enmarket employees volunteer the weekend of the race to support what runners call “The South’s Toughest Bridge Run.”

Quarterly Blood Drives...

From tragic accidents to burn victims to organ transplants to cancer patients, every two seconds someone in our nation needs blood. Colonial began a partnership with the American Red Cross to host quarterly on-site blood drives to help with the national blood shortage.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society...

Each fall, Colonial employees form a team for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night event and Enmarket stores fundraise in support of the fight against blood cancers during September, Blood Cancer Awareness Month.

Enmarket Charity Classic...

Enmarket’s fourth annual Charity Classic golf tournament benefited Make-A-Wish of Georgia and the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, an organization that supports the spouse and immediate family of first responders who lose their lives in the line of duty.

Jeans Day...

Everyone looks forward to Fridays in the office, as our leadership team allows administrative employees of Colonial to wear jeans in exchange for a contribution to the featured nonprofit of the month.

Read Chapter Five