Watkins held an online auction among Hot Spring Spas retailers worldwide for the right to own the millionth tub, and pledged to match 100 percent of the dealer's winning bid, doubling the charitable donation.
Bruno Woodtli owner of Hewoo AG, a Hot Spring Spas dealership in Switzerland, won the hot tub – an ?Aria model – with a final bid of $17,200. Combined with Watkins' matching contribution, the company was able to donate $34,400 to support the families of fallen firefighters across the United States.
"We would like to extend a special thank you to Hewoo AG, and to all the dealers nationally and worldwide who rallied to the call and participated in the auction — we sincerely appreciate such generous support," said Steve Hammock, president of Watkins Manufacturing. "We look forward to partnering with our retailers in the future to continue the good work of donating to causes like the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation."
"Thanks to our great sponsors like Filbur Manufacturing and Yakima, challenged athletes were the big winners at the 2011 Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge," said Roy H. Perkins, CAF's Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Development. "The funds raised at the event will help challenged athletes around the world gain access to the equipment, training and coaching they need to succeed in sports — and in life."
Bruce Stump, vice president of sales and marketing for Filbur, added, "When looking for ways to give back we discovered this event was right in our back yard. We couldn't be happier to support a venue that touches so many in such a life-changing way."
The Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge saw more than 200 challenged athletes, kids and permanently injured military personnel participate alongside more than 500 able-bodied athletes, celebrities, sports legends, and professional athletes. In all, the event raised more than $1.2 million to fund adaptive sports equipment, training and competition expenses for individuals with physical challenges so they can enjoy full and active lifestyles.
After a strong first year of sales for the Dirt Devil Pool Girl cleaner, GLI Pool Products made a donation to the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center in Youngstown, Ohio, through a local foundation.
The Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center (JACBCC) had a ribbon cutting on Nov. 2 at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown. The HMHP Foundation has been working for three years to raise the $8 million dollars needed for the project, and thanks in part to GLI's generosity, they are nearing their goal.
The JACBCC was created to deliver prevention, early detection, diagnosis and support services available in an environment of compassionate and coordinated care to in Ohio's Mahoning Valley.
"We are proud to be able to make this donation to such a worthy project such as the JACBCC. The fact that it also is in our home market is a great bonus," said Richard Garbee, vice president of sales and marketing.
