Philanthropy is a large part of our mission at Simmons Capital Group. We participate in numerous charitable events each year, including hosting our annual Charitable Giving Awards that celebrates the extraordinary humanitarian efforts and achievements of local, regional and global charitable organizations. Check out the past few years below.
2022 | 9th Annual Philanthropy Awards Celebration
We were finally able to meet in-person for the first time in two years to celebrate the 2022 Charitable Giving Awards. We celebrated over a buffet dinner and dessert at the Van Patten Golf Club in Clifton Park, where we hosted a panel discussion and Q&A on Estate Planning with Kathleen M. Toombs, Esq. We also gifted Executive Director of The Food Pantries, Natasha Pernicka, $5,000. The Food Pantries does amazing work in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties by helping to provide food to the local pantries and community centers. Their work is imperative, today more than ever and we're happy to support in any way we can. Thank you to everyone that attended and participated. It was so great to be with everyone in person once again. Keep and eye out for more panel discussion events happening later in the year.
A special thank you to Eaton Vance, State Street Global Advisors, Pimco, Victory Capital Management, and Calamos, who sponsored the event.
2022 | Help for Ukraine
With the disheartening news of the war between Russia and Ukraine, we paired up with 518Ukrainians to collect funds and medical supply donations. We were able to collect boxes and boxes of medical supplies donated directly to our office by our lovely clients, as well as checks to cover shipping costs, and donations sent directly to the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.
In addition, Don Simmons, as co-chair of the Cornerstone Foundation located in Bucharest, Romania received a $75,000 grant to provide immediate relief for Ukrainians suffering from the current war with Russia. This grant will help to raise support for and coordinate deployment of basic food, medical supplies, personal hygiene items, clothes, blankets, and other supplies needed both on the ground in Ukraine and for refugees relocating to other countries. To read more about it, please click the button below.
Update: As of May on 2022, $300,00 has been raised and sent to Ukraine to help the people on the front lines and their families.
2021 | Community Volunteer Work
This year we were pleased to finally be able to get out and be back around other people and businesses. In May 2021, we took the opportunity to beautify an amazing organization in Mechanicville, NY. The Mechanicville Area Community Services Center helps their community through a variety of programs including domestic violence advocacy, supplemental food programs, child care, and elder care.
In March 2021, we partnered with Twin Bridges Council and Captain Community Human Services to #saveourlocals. We helped gather food and cleaning supplies to help families in our own community of Saratoga county.
In December 2021, each member of Simmons Capital Group helped spread holiday cheer by adopting two kids and providing them with Christmas gifts from winter boots to baby dolls.
2021 | 8th Annual Philanthropy Awards Celebration
We're pleased to announce that we awarded gifts to Unity House of Troy and The Freedom Business Alliance. Unity House of Troy aids the community with domestic violence relief, housing support, and providing food among many other programs. Freedom Business Alliance helps put a end to human trafficking.
We cannot thank you enough for your efforts in voting for these outstanding organizations and helping sustain their good works.
2020 | 7th Annual Philanthropy Awards Celebration
2020 looked a little different than the award ceremonies in years prior. We weren't able to meet our traditional way, but we still employed the votes of our clients to choose their favorite charities recommended in previous years.
Grassroot Givers supports individuals, agencies, schools and nonprofit programs in the Capital District through their Clothing and Home Essentials Program and their Book Project. They work to reduce, reuse and recycle by sharing thousands of donations and upcycling materials to give an old object a new purpose. Grassroot Givers received the monetary award of $2,500 to help further their outreach and respective missions.
Habitat for Humanity encourages diversity and inclusiveness, the power of home ownership, the focus on community and many other guiding principles. Habitat for Humanity builds homes with homebuyers as equal partners to help give a hand up - not a hand out. Habitat homeowners build alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage and other regular expenses that come with owning a home. Habitat for Humanity received the monetary award of $1,250 to help further their outreach and respective missions.
Rebuilding Warriors provides highly trained service and companion dogs to Veterans diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), and Amputees. Rebuilding Warriors sponsors these wounded Veterans with their companion/mobility dog, provide training and home equipment. These dogs become great confidence builders aiding these men and women as they return to society. Rebuilding Warriors received the monetary award of $1,250 to help further their outreach and respective missions.
2018 | 5th Annual Philanthropy Awards Celebration
Thank you to everyone who attended our Simmons Capital Group Annual Philanthropy Awards Celebration at the Edison Club. We are proud to recognize our 2018 Simmons Capital Group Philanthropy Award Recipients, St. Luke’s Daily Bread Food Pantry; A Program of St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church and Code Blue Saratoga; A Program of Shelters of Saratoga. Each recipient received the monetary award of $2,500 to help further their outreach and respective missions.
And a special thank you to our panelists, Michael Saccocio, Executive Director Schenectady City Mission, Susan Axelrod, CFRE Philanthropy Advisor & Coach and Donald Simmons, CFP Simmons Capital group for their informative discussion, “Elevate Your Philanthropy - Increase your knowledge, inspiration & engagement!”. Our panel discussion educated us all on the changing landscape for non-profits and the creative ways we can all make a difference in our lifetimes. We hope our conversation was enlightening, inspirational and motivating to current donors, prospective donors and even those who think they can’t give due to limited resources.
2017 | 4th Annual Philanthropy Awards Celebration
Thank you to everyone who attended our Simmons Capital Group Annual Philanthropy Awards Celebration at Van Patten Golf Club in Clifton Park. Our 2017 Simmons Capital Group Philanthropy Award Recipients included Parent to Parent of NYS, Wellspring, EUMA- The Refuge Homeless Shelter for Families, Society of African Missions/ Water for Life Project and South End Children’s Café.
Each recipient received the monetary award of $1,000 to help further their outreach and respective missions.