Lincoln Electric Holding Inc., through its foundation and its corporate giving program of the Lincoln Electric Co., has been a long-time supporter of organizations that work to improve the quality of life in the communities where its employees live and work.
Over the past decade, the company, headed by chairman, president and CEO John Stropki, has helped fund capital campaigns and programs for institutions such as The Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland State University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Case Western Reserve University and John Carroll University. It has also supported Cuyahoga Community College and Lakeland Community College through their foundations.
The company, which designs, develops and manufactures arc welding and cutting products, contributed to the building of the Shafran Planetarium of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
In medical care and research, Lincoln Electric supports programs at the Cleveland Clinic, including the Cole Eye Institute, Urological Institute and the campaign for its new Heart Center. The foundation has also awarded grants to the University Hospitals Health System, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and Euclid, Hillcrest and Lake hospitals.
In addition, it was instrumental in helping fund Hope Lodge, a respite care facility for people undergoing cancer treatment. It has a long-time commitment to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes Drive and is a supporter of Camp Ho Mita Koda, a summer camp program for kids with diabetes.
The foundation is active in supporting initiatives to improving area schools, including the support of the schools in Euclid and Mentor, where Lincoln Electric’s major operations are located. And it supports job creation and development through its support of CAMP and the New Life Community, which serves single-female-headed households by providing training and a four-month shelter and transitional program for women.
The foundation was founded in 1952 with $250,000. Over the past decade, it has awarded more than $1 million a year in grants and in-kind donations.
Lincoln Electric employees are also involved in the community, serving as volunteers to many local organizations.
“Overall, we believe that our company and foundation have made a positive and productive impact on the Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio community,” says Stropki. “We believe our contributions have and continue to make a difference.”
How to reach: The Lincoln Electric Co., www.lincolnelectric.com or (216) 481-8100
