Where Work Meets Purpose: Kitchell Founder's Day Marks 75 Years of Community Impact

Employees Honor Sam Kitchell's Vision with 36 Volunteer Events Across Four States, Launching a Month-long Giving Campaign on the National Day of Service

PHOENIX, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking its 75th anniversary, Kitchell is honoring the vision of founder Sam Kitchell with a month-long Founder's Day campaign, powered by the Kitchell Foundation and employees across four states. Launching on the National Day of Service (Sept. 11) and continuing throughout the month, this year's program spans 36 events in four states—demonstrating the company's enduring commitment to the communities where its employees live and work.

"Sam Kitchell believed that building strong communities was just as important as building great projects," said Wendy Cohen, president and CEO at Kitchell. "Seventy-five years later, his belief still drives how we show up, serve and do business."

Community service stands as a cornerstone of Kitchell's mission, reflected in initiatives that strengthen communities year after year. This year's Founder's Day efforts span six core areas of impact—health and wellness, hunger relief and basic needs, housing and shelter, animal welfare, education and youth development, and environmental stewardship. All reflect Kitchell's commitment to supporting the diverse needs of communities across its footprint, continuing the legacy of community giving begun by its founder.

"Our annual Founder's Day program reflects the values that have guided our company since 1950—engaging employees in meaningful service to strengthen communities, address urgent needs and ensure Sam's legacy of giving back continues for generations to come," Cohen said.

From assembling care bags for nurses in Arizona and lending a hand at shelters in Texas to supporting hunger initiatives in California and an environmental effort in New York, nearly 400 employees will unite in service to create tangible, lasting change while supporting underserved populations, strengthening community bonds, addressing urgent needs and ensuring the company's legacy of generosity continues to shape lives well beyond Founder's Day.

"Every Founder's Day, I'm inspired by the impact we create when we come together," said Dosayra Brumley, Senior Marketing and Community Engagement Specialist. "We've served meals at women's shelters together, assembled care packages for hospital patients and shared stories over coffee. It's in those moments you realize this isn't just volunteering; it's building a history with the community, year after year, and being part of something bigger than yourself. It's a tradition I look forward to every year."

This year, Kitchell employees will deliver more than 1,250 volunteer hours to 36 nonprofits across Arizona, California, New York and Texas. Employees work together to select the benefiting nonprofits, allowing them to support causes that are both meaningful to them and critical to the communities they serve.

Known as one of the top corporate givers in the construction and real estate development industry, Kitchell's culture of service is driven by its employees, whose volunteerism, donations and hands-on engagement bring meaningful change to communities. Success is measured by the relationships built and connections created—enduring partnerships that strengthen with each passing year.

"As we celebrate our 75th year, we are not only honoring our history but also investing in the future," said Cohen. "Founder's Day is more than a tradition—it is a promise to expand impact, deepen partnerships and carry forward Sam's legacy into the next 75 years."

Together, these efforts reflect the enduring spirit of Founder's Day—transforming time, talent and resources into meaningful change that strengthens communities year after year.

SOURCE Kitchell