Unrestricted funds address greatest needs

At Edwards, “People Matter.” That’s one of their core values, but when they say people, it’s not just their 175 associates. It’s also the community they’ve called home for more than 150 years.

The company has been supporting the community in many ways, including making annual contributions to KZCF’s Love Where You Live Fund for more than two decades. Because the company’s gifts over the years have far exceeded the $5,000 necessary to establish an unrestricted fund, KZCF invited the company to name a fund. The new Edwards | Family Enrichment Fund will forever support the greatest needs throughout Kalamazoo County and serve as a reminder of the philanthropic legacy of Edwards.

A family legacy

Edwards, headquartered on 9th Street in Oshtemo Township, services uniform apparel programs for corporate, career and casual markets specializing in hospitality, restaurant, casino, health care, hotel/resort properties, transit and security.

When you visit their offices you’re greeted by an oil painting of their founder, Samuel Rosenbaum. He created the Kalamazoo Pant Company in 1867 in downtown Kalamazoo on East Michigan Avenue; the building — now the site of the Kalamazoo Entertainment District — still bears the Rosenbaum name. It’s on the corner of South Edwards Street, the namesake of the garment manufacturer and distributor. With a market covering all of North America and the Caribbean, the company outgrew that location and moved to it’s current location in 1988.

Gary Schultz, president and CEO, has been with Edwards for 17 years and is proud of the shared history the company has with the community. “Our founding family, through multiple generations, appreciated how the vitality of the community is important for business success. When the

business was sold in the early 1970s those same beliefswere continued by the new owners who have supportedmultiple charitable missions, including the CommunityFoundation.”

Jennifer Feinman, director of Human Resources, says“Edwards and our associates are making a lasting impactfor future generations through in-kind and monetarydonations, along with volunteer opportunities thatemphasize children, education and families.”

Edwards staff volunteering at the Big Brothers Big Sisters event Bowl for Kids Sake.

Edwards staff volunteering at the Big Brothers Big Sisters event Bowl for Kids Sake.

Community outreach

Community outreach initiatives include partnerships withBig Brothers Big Sisters, United Way of the Battle Creekand Kalamazoo Region, First Day Shoe Fund, CommunitiesIn Schools, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes and KalamazooGospel Mission. Working with the YWCA last year, Edwardsprovided 50 outfits for people re-starting their careers. AndFeinman adds that associates may participate in volunteeractivities during their work shifts.

Schultz says their corporate gift to KZCF made sensebecause “the Community Foundation is in a better positionto decide the best use of these funds.”

In addition to “People Matter,” another core value atEdwards is “Results Tell the Story.” That applies to the fundthey’ve established at KZCF, which is already impacting thecommunity. Combined with other unrestricted gifts heldat KZCF, the Edwards | Family Enrichment Fund becomesanother part of the community heritage begun by founderSamuel Rosenbaum.

Contact a Donor Relations Officer at 269.381.4416 to learnmore about KZCF’s unrestricted funds.