Tag: Charity

APHW Raises $48.3K for Relay for Life

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty Relay for Life 2020America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) closed out the 2019/2020 Relay for Life fundraising year this week with a total of $48,379.19 raised, placing first out of 53 Jackson County, Michigan teams. And APHW’s fundraising team captain started out the year nervous to take on the challenge.

Commitment

“Our company takes Relay for Life fundraising seriously,” said Team Captain Hannah Robbins. “So I was a little nervous—I wanted to do a good job. But I was also mostly excited because my family has been affected by cancer, and captaining the team was a nice way to show I care.”

She did better than good. Hannah and APHW’s fundraising committee developed regular events that the whole company enjoyed. “We had lots of events when we were in the office—raffles, food events, and more—and we had a virtual Bingo night after COVID-19 hit too. Our committee was incredible at every turn.”

Leadership

The support from APHW leadership really helps the numbers as well, Hannah said. “They’re always willing for us to try new fundraising events, even when it involves embarrassing them,” she joked, adding how the leadership pie-in-the-face fundraiser raised over $200. “This year has really shown that they’re all in, as long as it’s going toward the cause.”

Giving

Individual staff donations built more than $13,000 of the overall total, with the last $35,000 sponsored by the company itself. “Karaoke night was one of our highest fundraising events, and I really enjoyed Taco Tuesday,” Hannah said. “I feel like these events are a real value to our company, too—we all come together like the family we are, and everyone has a really good time.”

Hannah was also touched by how the giving continued even after COVID-19 hit. “It’s really nice to know that even when we’re struggling, the people we work for and the staff are all willing to give what they can,” she said. “And APHW will continue to raise money for Relay for Life in the future.”

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America's Preferred Home Warranty Donation Leads to Child and Family Charities Gift Cards

Plans Change, But CFC Still Finds a Way to Recognize Foster Families

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty Donation Leads to Child and Family Charities Gift CardsEvery year, Child and Family Charities (CFC) of mid-Michigan finds a way to recognize and thank their foster families. This year, between mass closures and social distancing, they needed a new way to do that—and America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) stepped up.

“APHW sponsors our event with a Lansing Lugnuts game every year, so foster families can come enjoy a meal and we can thank them, but we couldn’t do that this year,” said CFC CEO Julie Thomasma. “So we were talking about another way to recognize the families.”

During this difficult time, foster families are facing additional challenges between home schooling and earning issues, among other things. “So we used the money to purchase Meijer gift cards, and worked with APHW to develop postcards with a message of thanks,” Julie said.

The gifts are going out to about 60 foster families in mid-Michigan this week, and Julie is thrilled that CFC is able to do so through APHW’s sponsorship. “These have been unique times for our families, and they will appreciate being seen and recognized in this way,” she said. “There are a lot of unsung heroes in the background—social workers, foster families, and the people who keep working for these kids. We appreciate you all, and God bless!”

Visit ChildandFamily.org today to learn more about this amazing organization!

For more information about America’s Preferred Home Warranty, visit APHW.COM or call 888.351.3681 today.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty Donates to Flood Relief

Doubling Down on Giving Back — And Then Some

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty Donates to Flood ReliefA couple days ago we shared a video and information regarding America’s Preferred Home Warranty’s (APHW) contributions to the Keller Williams (KW) Premier Real Estate flood relief efforts in Midland, Michigan. Here is the rest of that story—including doubling down with an additional $100,000 donation to the charity organization Samaritan’s Purse.

Two Cultures, One Purpose

APHW and KW have a longstanding relationship that’s beyond just being business partners; they also have similar values. “Their culture very much mirrors our own in giving back to those in need,” said APHW Area Sales Manager Brian Heath. “So when they asked us to get involved with their project in Midland, it just made sense.”

KW initially asked APHW to sponsor a breakfast for the KW volunteers on Thursday, June 4th. But APHW President and Owner Randy Caltrider felt moved to do more.

“He wanted to do something on a larger scale,” Brian said. “God put it on Randy’s heart to help the KW relief efforts with a donation of $25,000 on top of the sponsored breakfast, and we also had several staff members volunteer to help that day.”

But Randy Wasn’t Done

After some research, he donated $100,000 to Samaritan’s Purse as well. “They’re just phenomenal,” Randy said. “They were the first ones on the ground in Italy when COVID-19 hit, and then they went to New York and set up a complete tent hospital in Central Park. The unselfish things they do all over the world brings tears to my eyes, and they’re in Midland right now.”

Between APHW doubling down, KW’s efforts, Samaritan’s Purse, and a LOT of other volunteers, Midland will soon become home again to its residents. “For me it was just a small thing of giving of my time and energy,” Brian said. “But for the families we helped, it was the world.”

Visit SamaritansPurse.org for more information about the charity, or to donate to their cause.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty, Child and Family Charities Partnership, Home Warranties

APHW Partnership with CFC Boosts Efforts During COVID-19

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Child and Family Charities Partnership, Home WarrantiesChild and Family Charities (CFC) and America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) have a relationship going back nearly a decade. The nonprofit has grown considerably over the years, and APHW has not only kept donating, but repeatedly increased donations, fundraisers, and volunteers. These increases have made a huge impact on CFC’s reach among mid-Michigan children, youth and families—particularly during COVID-19.

“APHW has helped us become a stronger organization,” said CFC CEO Julie Thomasma. “And because of their help, we felt better about going into this situation, being better able to offer support and increase our services where they are needed most,” she said.

Child and Family Charities assists mid-Michigan youth and families through 25 programs across 6 divisions. They have focused extra efforts around providing food assistance, childcare, shelter, and mental health services during COVID-19, Julie described, because so many more families need them these days, and so much more.

APHW’s support also helped CFC to keep their entire staff during COVID-19, and even expand it. “We’ve actually hired additional coaches to meet the need,” she said. “And we’ve been doing even more work because that need is so great. We’re in a really great position because of APHW.”

“The support from [APHW President and Owner] Randy Caltrider and APHW gives us that spark of hope to continue working with the populations and families we serve,” said CFC Director of Development Demphna Krikorian. “We’re seeing the increasing needs, and we’ll see more tomorrow and onward until we get through this. And we really couldn’t do it without that spark, that hope, that APHW gives us.”

Want to help? Visit ChildAndFamily.org or call 517.882.4000 for more information.

Luke 12:48 – “To whom much is given, much will be required.”

America's Preferred Home Warranty and Child and Family Charities, Home Warranty, Home Warranties

Child and Family Charities and APHW Working Together During COVID Lockdowns

Posted on | by Clive Gillett


We couldn’t be more proud to help Child and Family Charities (CFC – https://bit.ly/2LsBmGh), an incredible non-profit serving children, youth and families in Mid-Michigan, especially now as their services are even more needed. Beyond donations, our company fundraisers for CFC also help to build up our teams and share the message of the charity.

Want to help? Click here: https://bit.ly/2YTqV6N

(Special shoutout to UnoDeuce Multimedia for producing this video!)

Interested in a home warranty? Call 888.351.3681 or visit APHW.COM today for more information!

APHW Makes Jackson Relay History

APHW Makes Jackson County Relay History

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

APHW Makes Jackson Relay HistoryWith the company president’s contribution, the APHW Relay for Life fundraising team made history Wednesday night, achieving Ruby status for raising more than $50,000 for Relay for Life of Jackson County, Michigan—the first ever Jackson County team to reach that high!

#RelayForLife #TeamAPHW #MakingHistory #GOTEAMGO

Pictured left to right are APHW Team Captain Cara Baker, their Relay for Life liaison, Senior Community Development Manager Samantha Miller, and APHW Team Secretary Nicholle Clark.

CFC Nominates APHW for United Way Business Volunteer of the Year

CFC Nominates APHW as United Way Business Volunteer of the Year

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

CFC Nominates APHW for United Way Business Volunteer of the YearThe Capital Area United Way recognized America’s Preferred Home Warranty Monday night as one of three nominees for Business Volunteer of the Year at their 2019 Volunteer Recognition Celebration dinner. There were 28 nominees across the volunteer spectrum at the event, including youth volunteers, adult volunteers, lifetime volunteers, innovator volunteers, business volunteers, and one Walter A. Campbell award for outstanding volunteerism.

APHW would like to thank Child and Family Charities for the nomination, and we will continue our efforts to improve the lives of those in need. “For those who receive much, much is expected in return.” Luke 12:48 (L to R: APHW’s VP of Accounting Terri Shields, VP & General Counsel Phil West, Marketing Manager Jeff Fett, CEO Rodney Martin, and VP of Operations Mike Sadler)

Fund-Raising the Bar

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

It’s not uncommon for a company to raise money for a charity. Slightly less common is a company completely demolishing their previous year’s contribution. But a company that does both several years in a row? Now that’s downright rare—and America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) has done it again.

The APHW family has a special place in its heart for cancer charities, particularly the Relay for Life. “The previous owner [of APHW] passed away from cancer,” said Heidi, captain of the APHW Relay for Life fundraising team, adding that the current president and owner of APHW, Randy Caltrider, has lost multiple family members to it as well.  “One way or another, we are all connected with someone who has struggled with or survived cancer.”

The American Cancer Society charity is held annually in their hometown of Jackson, Michigan, and APHW has already blown past 2017’s total by more than $6,000—and they’re still going. “I’m really proud of the support that all the employees give to Relay,” Heidi said. “They continuously give, and show up, and are supportive. It’s very heartwarming.”

While APHW is still growing as a company (which certainly helps), the fundraising team’s incredible efforts are the real driving force behind everything raised. “We have fun with it,” Heidi said, listing off some of the fundraising events they’ve put together. “Spirit Day for the Michigan vs. Michigan State game, Halloween costume contests, food events like our Chili Cookoff and Cupcake Wars, monthly raffles—and we try to switch it up to make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate.” In the month of June alone they raised $812.23 by running Change Wars, an event where the winning team got a brownie party, and all anyone had to do was drop off their spare change (literally). Praise God for coin-counting machines!

All kidding aside, the team captain puts all the credit back on the staff and their willingness to give. “We wouldn’t be at our total without each and every employee that participates or donates,” Heidi said, “and I couldn’t be prouder of my coworkers.”

APHW’s fundraising efforts will continue until the final deadline of 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 4th. After the totals are tallied and the crowds have gone home, it will start all over again—with an even higher goal.

God Has Blessed Us—So We Give Back

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

For those who receive much, much is expected in return. Luke 12:48

Randy Caltrider was 52 before he decided to look for a company of his own. America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) caught his interest, and he met with then-owner Doris Anderson.

“I rode with her for a few days and visited her customers,” Randy said, learning how she had beaten cancer through her Christian faith. At the time, the price she quoted for the business was more than Randy could afford, so he had to step away from the deal—but the friendship remained.

“Unbeknownst to me,” Randy said, “her cancer had come back.” One day over lunch she told him she had to go get checked out, and they prayed together. Almost seven months later, Randy received a call from her husband, saying she had passed.

Cancer has been a very ugly thing for all of Randy’s life. He lost his mother to it in the 4th grade, and many others over the years. His stepdaughter Crystal was only recently cleared of stage 4 breast cancer. So, he understood how Mr. Anderson felt. “He couldn’t set foot in the office anymore… she was his soulmate,” Randy said. Doris had spoken highly of Randy to her husband, however, and Mr. Anderson knew she would prefer APHW go to someone who would keep it in Jackson, Michigan. “He said if I came to meet with him, he’d make me a deal I couldn’t resist. I thought to myself, this must be a God thing,” Randy said.

APHW had a rough first year after Randy took over. “By February I was in trouble,” he said. “We did a lot of hours on our knees, praying.” In an effort to improve the situation he expanded into Indiana, Ohio, and North Carolina. As a result of that expansion, revenue tripled, and the company hasn’t stopped growing since.

“The Lord has really blessed us beyond measure. Even through the tough times we’ve experienced growth. People would ask me why, and I would say, ‘God Economics,’” Randy said, referring to the Bible verse Luke 12:48. “That’s why we’re able to give, and we give in a mighty way to cancer.”

APHW gives thousands every year to a variety of cancer charities, including the Relay for Life. Over the last 12 months the staff has raised nearly $14,000 for the relay through various events and raffles at the corporate office. With Randy’s contribution, the final amount will top over $41,000 at this year’s relay in Jackson, Michigan.

“It’s all about being able to help and give back to the community, for those people that can’t afford doctors,” Randy said. “I’m finally in a position where I can make a difference, and there’s a lot of people in this world that don’t have insurance or the ability to be involved with a good hospital. A lot of the dollars we give go toward that.”

“I’ve lost a lot of people in my life to cancer, so I have a burning desire to do everything we can to get rid of it. I get really excited when we as a corporation work so hard to raise the dollars we do. It takes a lot of organization and hard work—just thinking about what they give, it just amazes me,” Randy said. “We’ve got a great bunch of employees at APHW who have a heart to help other people,” he said. “And it’s an honor to serve them.”

Click here to learn more or get involved with the Relay for Life.