Several M. H. West & Co., Inc. associates bowled for a good cause on March 20th at the 3rd Annual Red Cross Relief Bowl. The event was held at Bowl America Short Pump and was the second consecutive year that M. H. West & Co. Inc. was a corporate team sponsor. The Red Cross Relief Bowl is an initiative of the young professionals of the 2010 Heroes for the American Red Cross campaign. WEST associate Julian House was actively involved in organizing the event. All proceeds from the Bowl-A-Thon benefited the American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter annual fund.

WEST associates participating in the event included: Marilyn West, Julian House, Erica Cage Meaghan West, Justin House and Radcliffe Chambers. Everyone involved remarked on how much fun they had and how bowling is a creative way to raise money for a great cause.

Impact 100 Richmond is a grassroots effort that champions the power of women giving together. Its mission is to advance transformative giving in the Richmond region by uniting women’s ideas and actions through philanthropy.  The goal is to change the lives of women and their families by transforming a local nonprofit through a significant, collective financial investment.

The above strategy is well-researched, yet simple: 100 women will give $1,000 each to create a $100,000 grant to be given to a mutually-selected nonprofit.  More than 100 women may join, however, which will only increase the impact of the program.

Marilyn West, the CEO of M. H. West & Co., Inc., is proud to count herself among the Impact 100 of Richmond and is eager to see the mission fulfilled. The first grant will be awarded to a local nonprofit in Spring 2010.  For more information on this program visit the Impact 100 Richmond website here.

The Central Virginia Foodbank needed volunteers for its innovative and successful program that helps ensure that children in the Richmond region have nutritious meals for the weekend.  M. H. West & Co., Inc.(WEST)  joined Continental Societies, Inc., CarMAx and a few other organizations to fill approximately 2000 backpacks in three hours. In each backpack are  8 nutritious meals consisting of non-perishable food that is ready to eat or drink.

Participating for M. H. West & Co., Inc. were  Marilyn West, Joe Armstrong, Justin House, Julian House, Erica Cage and Meaghan West.  The WEST team enjoyed the experience and looks forward to helping again along with the Continental Societies (Richmond Chapter) and others.  “Giving Back to the Community”  is a Building Block” of WEST.

On February 22nd, 1960 34 Virginia Union students entered the lunch counter and Richmond Room at Thalhimers department store. The students were asked to leave. When they refused, they were arrested for trespassing. It marked one of the first mass arrests of the Civil Rights Movement. The students became known as the “Richmond 34″.

50 years later, Richmond CenterStage is honoring the Sit-In participants with an all-day event which includes: an education forum, a luncheon, a historical marker dedication and a performance by John Legend. The event attracted corporate sponsors such as Altria, Dominion, Genworth Financial, Marriott Richmond and SunTrust. M. H. West & Co., Inc.’s, Marilyn West was pleased to attend the Courage to Stand Up: Yesterday’s Lessons for Today Luncheon at the Richmond Marriott. Marilyn noted that the Richmond 34 were extraordinary individuals who not only impacted Richmond, but the nation as a whole.