Normally, Sparklight serves the Emporia community by providing high-speed internet to residents; however, this week, they provided another form of service through a nationwide company program.
The Sparklight Charitable Giving Fund, initiated in 2020, provides financial assistance to non-profit organizations across the company’s service network. Regional Marketing Director Karl Pauling says it is an important piece of the Sparklight mission, saying, “We believe in building strong communities.”
Pauling says to qualify for the funds, organizations must be either a 501 (c)(3) or 107 (c)(1) non-profit that is actively serving a community in which Sparklight operates. He also says funds are dispersed twice a year in the spring and fall.
Wednesday, local Sparklight staff and employees presented a portion of these funds to Emporia’s East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation (ECKAN). ECKAN provides food, utility and rent assistance to residents in need and according to Human Services Coordinator Colleen Smith, the Sparklight donation comes at a crucial time.
When asked why ECKAN stood out as a worthy recipient for the funds, Pauling says that, in addition to providing a quality service to the community, ECKAN’s mission is one that aligns with Sparklight’s own core principles.
Since its inception, the Sparklight Charitable Giving Fund has presented more than $1.2 million to more than 250 non-profits across the nation.
