Local family business “in transition”

The James H. Cole Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports community-based groups that seek to promote economic growth and prosperity among the citizens of Detroit through education, inspiration and guidance. Our goal is to assist upward mobility of individuals who strive to improve themselves, their families, and their communities.

After spending 100 years in the community and giving back by hiring many employees from Detroit and providing affordable and quality services to residents during their most difficult times, the company officially established the James H. Cole Legacy Foundation in late 2019.

Like the rest of the world, the Foundation’s plans for 2020 were put on hold, and the team moved quickly to address the most pressing needs of a community in crisis.

It’s a Stevie Award winner.”Love your neighborThe initiative was established to thank frontline and essential workers for their sacrifices to keep the community going. In 2020, we donated food to staff at Sinai Grace and Henry Ford Hospitals, as well as Detroit Fire Stations and Detroit Police Precincts on three shifts. We had the opportunity to work with Detroit-based/minority-owned restaurants and vendors to provide much needed food. Buddy’s Pizza, Bucharest Grill, Lonestar Catering and Smokey G’s Smokehouse were among the vendors hired. .

The Legacy Foundation completed 2020 with 500 backpacks filled with school and safety supplies, plus GrubHub gift cards to a Detroit college prep high school in Northwest and 50 teddy bears to a non-profit organization that provides services to children in the metro-Detroit area whose parents are incarcerated. In December, we provided gift cards and donations to community members and non-profit organizations selected as “Everyday Heroes” through the “12 Days of Giving” initiative.

The James H. Cole Legacy Foundation donated 50 teddy bears to the Pure Heart Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides services to incarcerated children in the metro-Detroit area.

The momentum continued in 2021. In February, the Legacy Foundation provided more than 150 meals to essential cleaning and administrative staff at Henry Ford Hospital. And in June, the foundation rehired front-line staff in two James H. The Cole House continues its campaign efforts by donating to two firehouses near the cemeteries.

The James H. Cole Legacy Foundation is founded by James H. Cole. Cole’s House honors frontline workers by donating dinners to firehouses near funeral homes. Pictured: Antonio Green (James H. Cole Legacy Foundation), James Harris (Detroit Fire Department)

The end of the year brought more community support. The foundation partnered with the Youth Are Bigger Than Life organization to host a fundraiser where 500 food donation boxes were distributed to attendees and to various organizations and neighbors such as the Detroit Rescue Mission, Canine Companies Rescue Center and Youth Manor residents. The annual Heroes and Hope calendar, which features community members above and beyond, was distributed in December. And finally, the foundation is once again partnering with local Beasley Media Group radio stations to “12 delivery days“Initiative, announcing the winners on the radio every day. A $100 gift card was awarded as a token of appreciation for the local effort.

Volunteers preparing food donation boxes for distribution. Photo credit: Justin Woods

In the year 2022 expanded our partnership with the Immaculate Heart Foundation in March by sponsoring a room in the new Scholars Center called the Cole Legacy Foundation Innovation Lab, which provides scholars with a space to create, design and develop their own ideas. New learning methods and opportunities. The lab assists in workforce development and entrepreneurship efforts.

James H. Cole Legacy Foundation leadership attends the grand opening of the Pure Heart Foundation Scholars Center. LR Antonio Green, Shirley Hogan (Pure Heart Foundation), Carla Cole, Bryce Green. Photo credit: Carlotta Tutt Holloway

If you are interested in making a financial contribution to the James H. Cole Legacy Foundation to help us continue our work in the Detroit community, please visit our website at www.jhcfoundation.org and click on the donate button.