When I first became the treasurer for Columbus Audubon (CA), one of the first donations I deposited was from Cardinal Health for $3,500. The letter indicated that it was a volunteer leadership grant and it was an unrestricted gift to CA. So, we could use the money in any way we saw fit to further our mission.
I really didn’t think much about it until the following year, when I received a second check. At that point I began to look at the grant more closely. Cardinal is a Fortune 19 company that believes in giving back to its community. As part of that commitment, it awards volunteer leadership grants to charitable organizations when its employees make a commitment to serve on a board. In our case, they were making the awards to recognize Darlene Sillick’s service. While other companies will also make leadership contributions in the name of their employees, many have cut back or eliminated their program in recent years because of the economy. Not Cardinal Health. I was able to confirm that we have been receiving these grants for the last four years, and Darlene has confirmed that we also received the grant both years she was president. Over those six years, Cardinal Health has donated $21,000 to Columbus Audubon. To put that in perspective, this year the board approved a budget of about $52,000. The money we received from Cardinal Health over the last six years has helped to support all of CA’s programs.
Nor has Cardinal Health’s contributions been limited to the leadership grants. Many of us remember that Cardinal Health served as the host facility for our last Art for Audubon event. In the past, Cardinal has allowed us to have a Columbus Audubon table at their internal events. And probably to no one’s surprise, Cardinal Health’s property is home to bluebird nest boxes, where bluebirds and tree swallows greet the world. Darlene takes the company’s executives and co-workers out to see the nesting birds.
Diane Radigan, director of community relations, further recognizes Darlene’s contributions in her acceptance on behalf of Cardinal Health and the Cardinal Health Foundation: “We are so pleased to be recognized with the Columbus Audubon Conservation Award. So many of our employees have passion, commitment and drive when it comes to our community and they put that to good use volunteering significant time, amazing talent, and personal treasure.
Darlene Sillick is a perfect example of such passion put into action. She LOVES nature, birds, and animals and all it takes to keep them healthy and thriving. We’re so happy to be able to support her work with Leadership and Team Grants as well as matching contributions each year. This award is really a recognition of her long-standing and excellent work for Columbus Audubon. Hers is a lifelong labor of love that was recognized with the Columbus Audubon’s highest honor in 2006 with the Song Sparrow and now with this award. We sincerely thank you for your recognition and pass any and all glory to Darlene.”