Keeping Things Bright: The Brightside Project Receives Big Donation
CARROLLTON — The Brightside Project received a big boost from Encino Energy and its vendors through Encino Energy’s Vendor Charity Classic which was recently held. The Salem-based nonprofit was awarded $20,000 from the event, which Encino created to thank its vendors and contractors. The Brightside Project was launched in 2016 to positively impact the children of Columbiana County and surrounding communities that are battling against hunger, poverty, drug abuse, neglect and other complex emotional and mental health issues.
“On behalf of The Brightside Project, we were honored to be selected as one of the four nonprofits to receive a $20,000 donation from Encino Energy’s Charity Classic Golf Outing,” said Scott Lewis, founder and executive director of The Brightside Project. “The donation will help us continue our mission of reaching out to children in Columbiana County. We could not do what we do without partners like Encino Energy. We thank all the sponsors of this wonderful event.”
The outing with the help of 33 sponsors raised a total of $80,000 and the proceeds were split evenly between four organizations. The Mahoning Manufacturers Coalition, which provides a network for Mahoning Valley manufacturers to identify common needs and problem-solve with their partners, sharing ideas and resources to develop a skilled workforce, was also a recipient.
“MVMC is grateful to have been selected as a recipient of funds from the Encino Vendor Charity Classic,” MVMC Executive Director Jessica Borza said. “We will use the funds to continue our mission of working together to build the talent pipeline to help drive manufacturing growth in our region.”
The other donations were awarded to Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (a regional community foundation serving Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties) and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation (a group which supports the mission of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District).
“For our first year throwing a charity event of this size, we are extremely proud of the amount raised toward charitable causes thanks to our vendors,” Encino CEO Ray Walker said. “The great reputation of these four groups precedes themselves and we believe that they are well deserving of these investments. The charitable funds raised will go a long way in bringing meaningful change to not just the region, but the whole state of Ohio as well. As we continue to find ways in making a positive impact on our employee’s lives, vendors’ lives and the lives of the citizens in the communities in which we operate, we will continue to work with our vendors by doing the right things for the right reasons.”
The outing expanded upon last year’s luncheon and developed into a two-day event consisting of a clay shoot, golf outing and welcome reception. Vendors came together to sponsor the event at various levels where the proceeds went directly toward local charities that impact Encino’s operational area.