Here at Hanson & Ryan we believe in giving back to the community and those less fortunate. This started with one of our founders, Frank Hanson. During the great depression many people couldn’t afford their groceries, much less pay for an insurance policy. Understanding the importance of being properly protected, Mr. Hanson would donate groceries to the community so they could afford other important bills, such as their insurance. Over the years we have given back to numerous nonprofit organizations. While this doesn’t include all the organizations we support below are a few of our more recent philanthropic efforts.
Blue Jean Fridays
One of our favorite charitable fund-raising events is “Blue Jean Fridays”, which allows each employee the opportunity to wear nice blue jeans to work on Fridays for a donation of $10 each month ($20 if they want to wear jeans 2x per week). With over 30 associates, we are capable of raising a nice sum throughout the year. Hanson & Ryan then matches that pot raised by the employees.
Passaic County 200 Club
Honoring the Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who have performed above and beyond the call of duty.
The 200 Club is an organization of business men and women, public safety professionals, and others who stand ready to provide financial assistance to the families of law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel. Within 48 hours of the death of a police officer, fire fighter or EMS professional, the 200 Club presents a check in the amount of $10,000.00 to the family of the deceased to help them get through the difficult times that accompany such a loss. Additionally, they provide college scholarships to every child affected by the loss. Founded in 1950, 200 clubs are located throughout the United States. Our past CEO, Terry Ryan, happen to be one of the founding members of our local Passaic County chapter.
Ethan & The Bean
Our Coffee Chnages Lives
Ethan & the Bean trains individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and to create employment readiness in a supportive & empowering work environment. They train the employees on how to run the coffee shop; from taking orders, making drinks, cleaning the shop, packaging foods and goods for sale and the day-to-day operations of the café. Their goal is to make sure the employees become a treasured asset within the community helping to change the way people see individuals with disabilities and reducing the unemployment rate for individuals in our community and beyond.
Camp Sunshine Camp Snowflake
https://sunshine-snowflake.org/
Camp Sunshine, founded in 1960, is a summer recreational program for children and young adults with multiple disabilities. The Camp is open each summer for 8 weeks (June-August). It is unique among its peers because of its corps of volunteers who provide one-on-one care to its campers. Each volunteer has the opportunity to assist one camper in various camp activities throughout the day
Camp Snowflake, opened in 1970, is a fall/spring program held on Saturday (September – May) to provide a needed social outlet for many of the campers who attend Camp Sunshine in the summer. Camp Snowflake strives to maintain the friendships forged during the summers through the sometimes long and difficult academic year. Camp Snowflake has expanded its services over the years to campers not also attending the Sunshine program and has added many exciting activities to its calendar each year. Camp Snowflake also provides one-to-one care for its campers with its corps of dedicated volunteers.
Boys & Girls Club of Hawthorne
For over a century Boys & Girls Club’s across the nation have worked to support our children: those future leaders with curious minds and hungry hearts. In Hawthorne, NJ, they continue that mission every day. There they give kids a safe place to learn and grow. Through the relationships they build with their staff and volunteers, they discover new opportunities, while developing the skills needed to pursue them.
Kindness Shared Happiness Squared
https://www.kindnessshared.com/
Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.
~Lau Tzu
Founder Jennifer Altieri created Kindness Shared out of her desire for every child to experience happiness, love and kindness. Since it’s creation in 2015 Kindness Shared has grown from smaller, seasonal kindness projects to full time kindness programs. Including the addition of rescue animals and therapy programs. Jen and her husband Scott are committed to the mission, to distribute happiness to kids and animals. Together they balance the daily needs of Kindness Shared.
Totowa Stitchers
Each year Hanson & Ryan makes a monetary donation to a local knitting group called the Totowa Stitchers. The women in the group meet up twice a week at the Totowa Library and knit. All knitted items are donated to the Totowa VFW and to Hanson & Ryan. Hanson & Ryan then donates the knitted hats, scarves, blankets and more to a local charity.
Red Nose Day
Do Something Funny for Money
Here at Hanson & Ryan we proudly wear our red noses for the day, along with making a donation. Red Nose Day is an annual fundraising campaign to end the cycle of child poverty and ensure a healthy future for all children. Through the power of entertainment, they bring people together to laugh and have fun, while raising money and awareness to ensure all children are safe, healthy, educated, and empowered in the U.S. and abroad.
