IKEA, the furniture store whose Washington headquarters are in Renton, is among five recipients of the Washington Secretary of State’s Office “Corporations for Communities Award,” which honors exceptional Washington businesses that make it a priority to help the community.
IKEA was recognized as a being a company that continues to show a strong sense of giving back to the community and making a difference.
Among the innumerable contributions to the Renton community, IKEA has donated $500,000 to the Renton Performing Arts Center; sponsored Renton River Days for the past 15 years; supported Renton Schools Vision House (homeless services) and child care to homeless mothers; donated furniture to numerous local organizations; held an annual Toys for Tots drive; and sponsored a campaign in which $1 from every soft toy donated is given to UNICEF and Save the Children.
“IKEA has been a wonderful corporate partner since the day they opened their doors here,” said Renton Mayor Denis Law. “They are extremely generous, and they epitomize a corporate partnership that every city is envious to have. There is no way we can appropriately thank them for all they’ve done for this community.”
Other businesses receiving the state’s most prestigious civics award are timber giant Weyerhauser, based in Federal Way; Town Auto Group, located in Wenatchee; McClain Insurance Services, an Everett company that received honorable mention last year; and Columbia Fresh Produce, Inc., a Walla Walla business with six employees.
It is the first time that more than two companies have received the award since the Corporations for Communities program was launched in 2009 by the Office of Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities Division.
“When I sat down to review this year’s nominees, it was clear to me there was no way I could present this award to only two companies,” said Secretary of State Kim Wyman. “Many companies deserved to receive this honor, so we’ve decided to expand the number of award recipients this year to five.”
Wyman will present executives from the five companies with the National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award during a ceremony in her office on Oct. 22. The Medallion Award recognizes civic engagement, voter education efforts, government services and a commitment to giving back to the community.
-from a press release
