By VERNON ROBISON
The Progress
The Do it Best Foundation presented grants totalling $18,000 to four local non-profit organizations during a Mesquite city council meeting on Tuesday, March 26.
A team of local Do It Best employees was on hand as the company’s Mesquite warehouse general manager Gary Loosle presented the funds.
The Virgin Valley Artists Association received a $1,000 grant for new furnishings in classrooms at the center.
Mesquite Cancer Help Society received a grant for $4,500 to help local cancer patients in paying expenses associated with treatment.
We Care For Animals received $4,500 from the foundation to help in its work to find adoption homes for animals.
The Mesquite Works STEAM Center received a grant for $8,000 to help purchase robotics equipment and other education supplies.
Loosle explained that the Do It Best Foundation was established a few years ago “as a way to give back financially to our communities where we have warehouses.”
The foundation has four pillars including Health and Wellness, Youth Enrichment, the Arts and the Community, Loosle said.
He emphasized that the funds for these grants do not come from the Do It Best corporation, but rather from donations made by local employees.
“This is money that our team raised themselves,” Loosle said. “It came out of their pockets, out of their paychecks.”
“I’m extremely proud of our team for their ongoing commitment to our great community,” said Loosle. “Our grant committee selected four great organizations that add value to the quality of life in our region and ensure that kids, cancer patients, artists, and animals all have a better future in Mesquite.”
STEAM Center manager Denisse Jimenez was grateful to receive the grant which would assist in education programs for local youth. “The Do it Best Foundation’s investment in our organization is an investment in the future, a future where education transcends boundaries and every young mind is empowered to reach its fullest potential,” she said. “With this funding, we’ll be able to acquire essential equipment for our multifaceted programs, including materials for 3D printing, art supplies for creative expression, and technology resources for our robotics programs.”
VVAA Past President Susan Wolfe also expressed gratitude to Do It Best for “helping us to promote the arts for all ages and cultures in Mesquite.”
“Your contribution helps us to inspire our community and teach the value of the creative process, as well as how enjoyable it can be,” Wolfe added.
The next grant application cycle for the Do it Best Foundation runs April 1 through May 31.
