Donations to Benchmark Senior Living’s One Company Fund Reach Nearly $750k in Support of Associates in Need
Donors Contributed Nearly Four Percent More to the Industry-Leading Fund, Which is Now in Its 18th Year of Operations
The Benchmark One Company Fund, a non-profit which provides grants to Benchmark Senior Living employees in times of need, reports that its associate and corporate donations reached $741,800 in 2024, close to a four-percent increase from the previous year.
The One Company Fund is a senior living industry first that was launched in 2007 to give financial assistance to those who provide excellent care and experiences for Benchmark residents.
“The tremendous growth of the fund and the goodwill it’s spread throughout our organization is humbling. Between the contributions of our dedicated and compassionate associates and our successful corporate fundraising events, we are making a difference in each other’s lives when it matters the most,” said Tom Grape, CEO and chairman of Benchmark.
Last year, the Fund gave $472,266 in grants to associates who couldn’t pay for the necessities of life or meet financial demands created by an emergency.
Darlene Rawling from North Haven, Conn., a single mother to a college student, was diagnosed with stage four gastrointestinal cancer last year. The diagnosis came right after being promoted to a regional director of business administration specialist overseeing human resources and accounting for Benchmark communities in Connecticut and New York. The fund has paid her mortgage since she went on disability since starting chemotherapy and immunotherapy in the fall.
“From the time I began working for Benchmark five years ago, I’ve always been a huge cheerleader for The One Company Fund, especially when onboarding new associates,” said Rawling. “I never thought I would have to use it myself though. The Fund has been a lifesaver. I would have had to drain my retirement fund in order to pay my mortgage because I didn’t quality for any other assistance.”
The Fund was also there for Tikia Graham, an LPN at Benchmark’s River Ridge at Avon, when fire struck her apartment last winter, leaving her with nothing.
“I hadn’t been at River Ridge a year yet when this happened,” said Graham, who now lives in Cromwell, Conn. “I was surprised and felt both lucky and blessed that I was approved. I am so appreciative to Benchmark for it. I will never forget it. Things would have been so much harder without the grant.”
The Fund gave Graham $5,000 to use towards clothing, toiletries, furniture for her new apartment, food and more.
“Not only did the help finance our new beginning, but it was the boost my mental state needed. You get depressed and don’t know where to start as the bills pile up,” she said.
Since the Fund launched 18 years ago, it has raised over $7 million and given $3.4 million in associate grants to those affected by natural disasters, personal tragedies and other unexpected challenges.
Click here for more information about the Benchmark One Company Fund.
