SpareFoot Donates $20,000 to Austin-based Nonprofit Organizations
In honor of the self-storage company's 10th anniversary, SpareFoot lends a hand to 10 local nonprofits
Sep 13, 2018, 11:53 ET
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2008, The Dark Knight was the highest grossing movie, Low by Flo Rida topped the charts and in a UCLA dorm room, Austin-based SpareFoot was created. Since then, SpareFoot has grown to become a leading online marketplace for consumers to find and book self-storage.
In honor of the company's 10th anniversary, SpareFoot has invested $20,000 back into the Austin community. Through an internal nomination process, ten local nonprofits were selected to participate in a six-round trivia competition with questions all about the year 2008. SpareFoot employees formed teams with members of each non-profit to help them emerge victorious. Participating organizations, include:
- OutYouth
- Open Door Preschool
- Travis Audubon Society
- CASA of Travis County
- Refugee Services of Texas
- B.I.G. Love Cancer Care Services
- Minis & Friends
- Wags Hope & Healing
- CISV ATX/SA
- Dell Children's Hospital.
"Community service has always been a priority at SpareFoot, and we are lucky to have the opportunity to give back to a city that has given us so much. We are grateful to be able to connect with local organizations and strengthen the Austin community." - Chuck Gordon, CEO.
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After a raucous competition, Austin Minis and Friends emerged the winner of the $10,000 grand prize. The other nine participating nonprofits received a divided $10,000.
"We are honored to have been selected to participate with SpareFoot in such a big event. With our winnings, we plan to build two customized sheds so that we will no longer have to cancel weekend visits due to rainy weather. These winnings will solve our rain problem and we are still in awe." - Deborah Davis, Board Member and Volunteer.
Before each visit, Minis and Friends washes and grooms each working mini, a process that takes two hours to prepare for a visit. The new, custom sheds will ease visit preparation and help keep the minis dry for a visit.
"In 2017, we had to cancel 11 visits because of being rained out. The little horse therapists (a.k.a minis) think that if the ground gets wet and muddy, it is spa day! For us, it's sadness because we have to disappoint children and seniors with requesting a rain date," Davis adds.
Additionally, Minis and Friends will be able to publish the 2nd edition of the new Mighty Mini Readers, which provide information about all the minis and the organization. The readers also include children's activities, and pictures of the working horses. The readers will be passed out during visits at kid shelters, hospitals and assisted living homes.
In 2017, SpareFoot was named to the Top Company Cultures list by Entrepreneur Magazine and has been named a Top Employer by the Austin American-Statesman 5 years in a row. In January 2018, the company moved its headquarters to University Park. SpareFoot was named one of Austin's Coolest Companies by AustinInno in July 2018.
To learn more about the culture and benefits of working at SpareFoot, visit the SpareFoot jobs page.
About SpareFoot
SpareFoot was founded by Chuck Gordon and Mario Feghali from their dorm room at UCLA and has grown to become a leading online marketplace for consumers to find and book self-storage. SpareFoot offers consumers the ability to find storage facilities, compare deals, and book seamlessly across more than 12,000 facilities in the U.S. on SpareFoot.com and SelfStorage.com. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
About Minis and Friends
Minis and Friends is a group of caring people and horse lovers dedicated to sharing the love and spirit of miniature horses to those who need special, tender care. The organization's unique programs tailor activities for children with disabilities, at-risk youth, individuals in transition, and elder adults to improve their motor skills, ability to connect, tactile response, use of senses and spirits through interaction with miniature horses.
SOURCE SpareFoot