Utah Community Builders frequently highlights businesses going above and beyond to make an impact in our community. The latest example of Utah businesses’ well-established commitment to social impact is the new Driven to Assist donation drive. The Larry H. Miller Company and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation organized this drive to benefit refugees fleeing Ukraine.
According to the company’s website, the drive was created when Gail Miller received a phone call from a native Ukrainian Maxim Morozoff explaining the dire need of thousands of refugees. Gail immediately agreed to help.
“In times of crisis, Utahns respond,” said Miller. “This is an opportunity for us to come together, put our arms around our neighbors, and show them that our hearts are united.”
Shortly after that call, Miller, Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox and many other organizations officially kicked off a community fundraiser and donation drive to benefit Ukrainian refugees.
Miller announced that cash donations made to the Community Foundation of Utah (CFU) will be matched up to $2 million with contributions from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, Todd and Andie Pedersen Family, Ryan and Ashley Smith, Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation, Kem and Carolyn Gardner Family, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the Huntsman Family Foundation, Jeremy and Kristin Andrus Family Foundation, Ron and Janet Jibson Family Foundation, Bert and Lynnie Zimmerli Family Foundation, Zions Bank, the Larry H. Miller Company employees, and other anonymous donors.
As of March 8, members of the community had donated $600,000 toward the $2 million goal, reported a tweet from The Larry H. Miller Company.
In addition to cash donations, Utahns are encouraged to donate critically needed items at six locations along the Wasatch Front from Friday, March 4, through Monday, March 14. After donations have been collected, First Lady Abby Cox’s initiative, Show Up, will help organize volunteer efforts to sort and prepare donations for distribution.
To learn more about donation opportunities and physical donation drop-off locations, visit the Driven to Assist website.
