“If it is important to you, it is important to me.” – Matthew Toth, CEO & Founder of C3.
At the close of 2024, Matthew brought this philosophy to life in a remarkable way. During the holiday season, he donated $2,000 to 12 charities, each nominated by a C3 team member. This heartfelt initiative not only highlights the spirit of giving that defines the holiday season but also reflects C3’s deep care for its people and their passions.
As we take a closer look at these organizations, we see not only the impact they have but also the personal meaning they hold for our team members.
Fund A Life
Global Technology Advisor Jason Bourque selected Fund a Life, a nonprofit dedicated to providing life-saving support and resources to individuals and families facing life-threatening medical diagnoses. Founded by a close family friend, the organization holds deep personal significance for Jason and his family, who have witnessed its impact firsthand. Fund a Life steps in where other support systems may fall short, offering critical assistance to ease both emotional and financial burdens. Jason emphasized, "By supporting Fund a Life, you can help bring hope and tangible relief to families in crisis, making a real difference when it is needed most."
Sacred Beginnings
Ryan Boyk, Global Technology Advisor, selected Sacred Beginnings, Michigan’s first survivor-led, peer-mentored program for individuals who have been sexually exploited or trafficked. Sacred Beginnings provides safe housing and recovery services through two transitional homes in Grand Rapids, offering a holistic approach to healing. Survivors receive support such as trauma counseling, one-on-one peer mentoring, group therapy, life skills coaching, and education and career counseling. Led by survivors, Sacred Beginnings creates a secure environment for individuals to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually, empowering them to rebuild their lives and find hope for the future.
Mackenzie's House
Tim VanderMel, Global Technology Advisor, nominated Mackenzie’s House, an organization inspired by a passion for helping the homeless. Its mission is to support young women aging out of the foster care system by providing them with a safe home and the essential structure they need to thrive.
Fresh Start
Kyle Werhand, Global Technology Advisor, nominated Fresh Start, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of disadvantaged infants, children, and teens suffering from physical deformities caused by birth, accidents, abuse, or disease. For over 33 years, Fresh Start has provided reconstructive surgery and related healthcare services at no cost to families, ensuring they receive the care they need without financial burden. The organization hosts monthly surgery weekends at Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago, where medical staff generously volunteer their time. 100% of donations directly support the children’s medical program, and families never receive a bill—nor will they ever.
The Autism Community in Action
James Gordon, CX & UC Engineer, nominated The Autism Community in Action (TACA), a charity close to his heart. With a personal connection through his youngest child, who is on the spectrum, James and his family are passionate about supporting organizations like TACA. This charity provides essential resources and fosters a supportive network, creating a sense of belonging for families in the autism community.
Breakthrough T1D
Steve Mockaitis, Lead SASE and SD-WAN Engineer selected Breakthrough T1D, an organization dedicated to improving the daily lives of those with Type 1 Diabetes while driving progress toward a cure. Through its efforts, the organization works to develop better treatments, prevention methods, and, ultimately, a cure for T1D. Steve shared, "This charity has been a leading contributor to advancements in treatments and diagnostics."
The Passion + Purpose Project
One of C3’s Project Managers, Alyson Dashner, nominated The Passion & Purpose Project, an initiative that grew from the success of the Good Fight Food Drive. In 2024, the drive provided full Thanksgiving meals to over 1,200 families. Now, Alyson and her team are forming a nonprofit to expand their impact further. With a goal to feed 5,000 families in 2025, every donation helps make this vision a reality, directly supporting their mission to bring hope and nourishment to those in need.
Parma Animal Shelter
Kimmie DiBenedetto, Client Lifecycle Manager, selected the Parma Animal Shelter, a fully volunteer-run organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming animals in need. Since becoming a volunteer in 2022, Kimmie has found a deep sense of purpose in advocating for the shelter’s mission. She admires the dedication of her fellow volunteers, who ensure each animal is cared for and matched with the right family. The shelter operates solely on fundraising, donations, and grants, with intake costs averaging $375 per dog and $165 per cat. "Animals love us unconditionally, and they don’t have a choice in their outcome sometimes," Kimmie shared. "I wish I could save every dog and cat because they all deserve a safe place to sleep at night."
Wounded Warrior Project
Elisa Martin, C3’s Senior Sales Operations + Vendor Strategist, nominated the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit dedicated to providing vital programs and services at no cost to wounded veterans, service members, and their families. This organization plays a crucial role in helping individuals navigate physical and mental health challenges as they transition back to civilian life. Elisa shared, "My family and I are very passionate about ensuring that we take care of those who serve, whether in the military, police, or as firefighters. They put their lives on the line for us, and too often, they don’t receive the support they deserve."
We Do Care
Sheila Snow, C3’s Financial Controller, chose We Do Care, a Grand Rapids-based charity dedicated to supporting children undergoing cancer treatment at DeVos Children’s Hospital. Beyond medical needs, the organization focuses on bringing joy to young warriors and their families. From superhero and princess pizza parties to trips to Great Wolf Lodge or Disney on Ice, We Do Care creates moments of happiness amidst challenging times. They also provide practical assistance, like gas cards for travel to treatment and tablets for use during chemotherapy. Sheila, who has proudly served on the board for seven years, shared, "We’ve never turned a family in need away."
Bissell Pet Foundation
Jordan Christensen, Marketing Coordinator, chose the Bissell Pet Foundation, nspired by her experience adopting a rescue dog. "Their mission is to reduce the number of shelter animals and make adoption more accessible," she said. The foundation helps by covering costs like transportation, vaccinations, and microchipping, ensuring more pets find homes. Jordan added, "Adopting my dog opened my eyes to how crucial it is to support shelter pets."
Trail Tigers
C3’s Events Manager, Kaitlin Wood, chose Trail Tigers, a trail running team for kids that offers a seven-week program designed to empower young runners, foster trail stewardship, and inspire a lifelong love for the sport. Having coached with Trail Tigers for the past three summers, Kaitlin is passionate about the program's impact. She hopes to see scholarships become available for families unable to afford the cost, ensuring every child has the opportunity to participate.
Together, these stories showcase the diverse passions within the C3 team and the meaningful organizations they support. Through Matthew’s generosity, these causes not only received $2,000 from C3 at the close of 2024 but are also highlighted as an inspiration for others to give back. At C3, our team's heart beats for the people and causes that matter most.