GIRARD, Ohio – Given the role that the community has played in the success of Thompson Insurance Group, giving back is only appropriate, says Andrew Thompson, partner and vice president of the Girard-based company.
Although the company and its employees participate in and hold fundraisers such as Relay for Life and collect food for Second Harvest Food Bank, most of the giving is “through our profits and the success of our company,” Thompson says.
“The local community has contributed to our success as an organization,” he says. So he thinks it only fair to support the community and raise awareness for organizations that also support the community.
Thompson declines to give a specific dollar amount but discloses his company has given to more than 100 organizations.
In business since 1947, the family-owned company, has four subsidiaries: Gibson Agency, a general personal and commercial agency; Gibson Agri & Equine Insurance, which specializes in agribusiness and equine coverage; PetBizInsurance.com, which provides coverage for pet-related businesses; and Thompson Private Client Services, which offers personal lines coverage for the affluent.
“We’ve made a commitment to support mostly local organizations,” Thompson says. “If we see something that is perhaps more in need than others, we could focus on that. But definitely we focus on those organizations with a direct local impact.”
Thompson Insurance Group is “one of the most philanthropic businesses in the [Mahoning] Valley,” says Danette Palmer, marketing director for Cadence Care Network in Niles. Palmer nominated Thompson Insurance Group as Outstanding Small-Business Philanthropist.
Thompson and his father, David, partner and president of the company, “exemplify the meaning of the word philanthropy and are always willing to give back themselves and encourage their employees to do the same,” Palmer says.
Andrew Thompson has served on the Cadence Board fund development committee for nine years and helped to plan several fundraisers. Employees have helped in several ways as well, she notes.
According to nomination material submitted by Palmer, beneficiaries of the company’s philanthropy include Beatitude House, Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown and Habitat for Humanity Mahoning Valley.
“We definitely want to support organizations focused on children. We are also animal lovers here. So that’s a big focus of ours,” Thompson says.
Among the other organizations to which the company contributes are Angels for Animals, Animal Pawtectors and Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County. In some cases, there is a personal connection, as with the American Heart Association.
He also praises the local American Red Cross, on whose board he served, for its work. “The impact they make locally is really tremendous,” he says.
Pictured: Andrew and David Thompson