Last year Pfizer donated $2 million to the local United Way (employees gave $1 million and Pfizer matched it for a total of $2 million donation/25% of the total). They donated $10,000 for school environmental education programs in Ypsilanti, $1500 to the Adopt-A-Class initiative for the Leslie Science Center, somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000 to the University School of Music Theatre and Dance, they sponsored a horse for the Therapeutic Riding Inc., sponsored SPARK, the Ark, Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor Summer Festival, the Miller's Creek watershed study, K-9 police dog Czar (and his vehicle), Huron River Day, and many other programs large and small (to the tune of about $1 million corporation donation to these types of programs annually, not including the United Way). Not included in this are all the donations made by individuals, most of whom made quite a good salary. I can't imagine there is a single nonprofit or social organization in Ann Arbor that will not be affected by this closing. Read the entire comment here

I was doing some research before this post because I had a opportunity to speak with a friend yesterday that also happens to be a lender with Wells Fargo. Kay Van Orman was sharing with me about a new program that Wells Fargo has that I am definately going to be involved in. It is called "SHARING ADVANTAGE". As a member of several non-profits and Director of the Student Advocacy Center, ( for many years ) the funding we received from the United Way was a hugh help in planning our programs and in the amount of students we could serve. To learn more about Student Advocacy Center please visit our web site.

Anyway, a multitude of non- profits benefit from the United Way and the generosity of the Pfizer employees. So I was intrigued about this program Wells Fargo Offers. Basically they will donate to any non-profit or faith based organization 300.00 in the name of the client purchasing a home, or even re-financing. So I thought if I also donated in my clients name the 300.00 too, it would amount to 600.00 for any faith based or non-profit in the area.

Right now with the reprucussions of Pfizer leaving and the effect this will have on all the worthy non-profits in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, I think this is an excellent time for all or us in the real estate industry to step up to the plate and do what we can to sustain the programs available for the less advantaged. The beauty of this program is that our clients can name their favorite church or non-profit and it will be a deduction in their name.