Elkay announces the 2021 Sternberg Philanthropy Award winner is Carol Partington, Elkay Corporate Senior Manager of Total Benefits, for her committed support of Sharing Connections Furniture Bank located in Downers Grove, Illinois.
Sharing Connections Furniture Bank aims to bring together community members by enabling families and businesses to furnish hope to families in need through financial support and the opportunity to share their gently used furniture, household items, and clothing. Partington’s involvement with the organization began in 2004 and has included countless hours of volunteer service, furnishing and financial donations, and longtime support of the organization’s “Women of Hope” fundraising campaign. In the past year, Partington has dedicated more than 250 hours of service to Sharing Connections and has recruited additional community members to dedicate their time and resources towards supporting the organization.
Now in its fourth year, the annual Sternberg Philanthropy Award recognizes Elkay’s “extended family” members who consistently go above and beyond in giving back to their community. The extended Elkay family consists of Elkay employees, their immediate family, Elkay representatives, their immediate family, and members of Elkay’s founding family.
To qualify for the award, recipients must be an Elkay employee or a member of the extended Elkay family and have donated significant personal time, talent, or funds to a noteworthy cause. Additionally, their efforts must have substantially impacted the nonprofit they served. Winners receive an award and a ceremonial “big check” signifying a $5,000 donation from Elkay to their charity of choice during a formal awards ceremony hosted by company leaders.
This year, Elkay has also chosen two additional winners, Steve Angus, Director of Retail Sales, and Maurice Townsend, Senior Engineer, who each received $500 donations from Elkay to their chosen charities, the Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association (OPALGA+) and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, respectively. OPALGA+ is one of the largest LGBTQ+ membership organizations in Illinois and aims to promote equality and acceptance toward the LGBTQ+ community while also providing a positive community network for members through social activities, civic engagement, and community activism. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated is a historically Black Greek Letter Fraternity, founded upon the principle of achievement for Black collegiate men and actively participates in community services activities within local chapter communities, nationwide and around the globe.
“At Elkay, we recognize the immense impact giving back can have on our communities. The Sternberg Philanthropy Award is just one manifestation of it within our organization,” states Elkay President and CEO Ric Phillips. “Each year, the nominees continue to wow Elkay leaders with their hard work and dedication at Elkay and within their communities through their nonprofit commitments. Whether it be by providing their time, skills, or monetary gifts, the Elkay family is committed to giving back to the places we work, live, and play. This award provides them and the organization with another opportunity to do just that in a big way. I hope that this award and the efforts of all our nominees will continue to inspire our people to think big, do more and give back in any way they can in the years ahead.”
The award name honors the contributions and impact of the Sternberg family, the second branch of Elkay’s founding family, on the company. Bonded by marriage, Paul Sternberg Sr. became an early investor in the company and in-law to the Katz family after his sister married founding family member Louis Katz. His son, Paul Sternberg Jr., joined the company in 1935 and worked his way up to becoming Chairman of the Board over the course of a 50-year career at Elkay. Throughout his career, Paul Sternberg Jr. established a track record of helping others. He steered Elkay to produce many innovative products that aided in people’s recovery from various ailments, including polio patients and wounded WWII soldiers.
To apply, extended Elkay family members must submit nomination forms between October and November annually. Applications are then reviewed by a panel of judges, who evaluate the nominee’s level of commitment and the impact that their efforts had on the nonprofit organization they served.
