Benzel-Busch Motor Car Corp. (Englewood) was named among the finalists in New Jersey Monthly’s list of the State’s Most Generous Companies in the Medium Companies category. Not only does Benzel-Busch make an annual donation to the Bergen Performing Arts Center, in 2014 the company partnered with the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation to launch a football program in Englewood. All three Benzel-Busch dealerships participate in ongoing charity events to benefit the communities they serve, including golf fundraisers to support various organizations.
In 2014, New Jersey Monthly launched the Great Oak Awards as a way to honor the State’s businesses for their work on behalf of charitable causes. Non-profits were invited to nominate New Jersey-based companies they felt deserved recognition. Each nominated company was asked to submit a form detailing their philanthropic activities for 2014, including direct financial support, in-kind donations, volunteer hours, matching funds for employee giving and programs to encourage volunteerism.
A team of New Jersey Monthly editors reviewed the submissions and compiled a list of 64 finalists in three categories (small, medium and large businesses). The finalists were reviewed by a panel of three independent judges, who will choose the top 10 honorees (three each from the small and large categories and four from the medium category). The top honorees will be announced September 29, 2015 at an awards dinner to be held at the Palace in Somerset Park.
Honorees were chosen based on measureable achievements, as well as subjective factors, such as creativity, innovation and the impact of their charitable efforts.