Laney’s Inc. is a local plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical business led by its president, Kevin Wolf. The company has been giving back to its community for more than two decades but in the past several years, the Laney’s team has taken supporting local nonprofits a few steps further.
Warm Homes, Warm Hearts
In honor of Giving Hearts Day, Laney’s enacted an arrangement that with every purchase of a furnace or air conditioner from January through February, the business donated $100 to local nonprofits. This past year, the company even got its vendors involved to help with matching funds. Additionally, for every service call, $2 was given to nonprofits.
The company is excited to keep this tradition up for years to come.
Top 10 Voting Leaders
As part of the Warm Homes, Warm Hearts campaign, and with help from Dakota Medical Foundation, Laney’s created four categories with each hosting 20 nonprofits: youth, arts & culture and a separate crisis intervention/basic needs section for both small and large organizations. The company hosted a contest, allowing one vote per person every day leading up to Giving Hearts Day. “It spread like wildfire,” said Wolf, as nonprofits started sharing the contest with their own followers, wanting to get the votes.
“We ended up getting connected with a lot of nonprofits we hadn’t been involved with before,” Wolf said. “We also received great feedback from our customers who enjoyed learning more about organizations they didn’t even know existed.” The event went smoothly with each winner receiving $2,500, and the only thing the business wants to do differently next year is starting earlier.
Wolf is also passionate about the idea that businesses can use their own platforms to promote nonprofits. “I think businesses have a great opportunity to leverage their exposure for a nonprofit that may not have an advertising budget,” he said.
Last year’s winners:
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- Youth: North Dakota Autism Center
- Arts & Culture: FM Ballet
- Crisis Intervention/Basic Needs (small): Emergency Food Pantry
- Crisis Intervention/Basic Needs (large): Rape and Abuse Crisis Center
Annual Chili Feed
What started several years ago as a one-time benefit to raise money for a team member who was diagnosed with cancer, has become an annual chili cook-off to impact nonprofits throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area.
“After the first time, the employees loved it so much they wanted to keep it as an annual event,” Wolf said. “Now, every year, we pick a new small nonprofit that may often get overlooked and donate all of the funds to them.” Some organizations that have recently benefited include 4 Luv of Dog and GiGi’s Playhouse.
Service From The Heart
Laney’s partners with local nonprofits to manage their facilities. In this partnership, the business does all of the organizations’ maintenance and manages their heating and plumbing for free. If a nonprofit happens to have any breakdowns, Laney will also act as a consultant to find the best possible solution.
Nonprofits taking part in Service from the Heart:
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- Ronald McDonald House
- Dorothy Day House
- Churches United
