Page 50 - MM July2018

Lifting spirits through philanthropic business philosophy
DEMDACO has an intriguing business philosophy to “lift the spirit.”
“Our hope is to pursue business the way it ought to be,” says the company’s Cultural Conversation Leader Jonathan Jones. DEMDACO is committed to the notion
that business does not have to be solely a financial endeavor. It is first, and foremost, a human endeavor. “Our hope is to see this reflected in our actions with consumers and customers, with colleagues, and
within our communities.” So while some companies donate a portion of sales to specific causes, DEMDACO desires to seek out goodness in everything it does. It’s evidenced in the company’s unique assortment of inspirational and giftable products, as well as its unique approach to just about everything.
Take its showroom at AmericasMart, for example. In a space that could be devoted to sales, DEMDACO reserves a large
room to promote the work of non-profit Blood:Water. It is an immersive visual experience that tells the story of the need for clean water in several African
countries where the charity operates.
By the July 2018 Market, DEMDACO
will change the room to feature other non-profit organizations, as well as its view of business as a human endeavor. The space also will offer guests a quiet respite from the chaos of a busy market— a way to “lift the spirit” of attendees.
While DEMDACO has contributed financially to this cause and others, it doesn’t release figures because the company wants to keep the focus on the donation partner. Dan Haseltine, one of Blood:Water’s founders and lead singer for Christian rock band Jars of Clay, explains how DEMDACO’s approach creates the opportunity for significant cultural change.
“To me, the presence of Blood:Water in
AmericasMart is akin to an art installation. It is both a complimentary piece showing the beauty of gift giving and also a juxtaposition of true scarcity in the middle of true abundance.”
DEMDACO first became involved with the organization in 2005, intrigued by Blood:Water’s own unique approach, which Haseltine says, “flipped the traditional Western hero narrative upside down and gave Africans the gift of doing development on their terms.
“Our hope is to pursue business th”e way it ought to be
JONATHAN JONES
“It would be easy to look at donor relationships as predominantly transactional experiences; contributors provide financial resources and in return the organization makes those donors feel good by saving lives and inviting them into an adventurous and exotic story,” Haseltine explains. “But that is not the full picture.”
“Over the years DEMDACO has given generously to the work we do to help solve the water crisis in Africa. That is tangible help. It means that children once forced to walk seven miles to collect dirty water from rivers, lakes and run-off pools for drinking, cooking and cleaning, are now able to go to school instead. It means that thousands of local villagers have been trained and empowered to maintain and fix wells and catchment tanks when they break. Yet
the story of Alfred that has been part of the Blood:Water room in AmericasMart
is a glimpse into the human story that is impacted when we choose to approach the people we serve with the respect and dignity they deserve.” ■
For additional information:
Caracol – caracole.com, furnishaid.com;
Ever Ellis – everellis.com, caninesforservice.org; DEMDACO – demdaco.com, bloodwater.org.
Images courtesy of Caracole, DEMDACO and Ever Ellis
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