Second Mile, the company-member based giving arm of John Wieland Homes & Neighborhoods, recently reached a significant milestone by contributing more than $2 million to charitable organizations in and around Atlanta.
While having a long-standing commitment to community development and involvement in the Atlanta metro area, John Wieland Homes & Neighborhoods company members formed Second Mile in 1982 with $20,000 in contributions its first year. To date Second Mile has contributed to more than 330 charities around Atlanta.
Deriving its name from the Bible (Matthew 5:41), Second Mile symbolizes those who go an extra step for others. Second Mile is unique to John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods in that the money contributed stems from company member voluntary payroll deductions. Second Mile has provided the vehicle for company members to support the communities they serve by contributing financial assistance, gifts and volunteer support for the last 23 years. Currently, more than 90 percent of John Wieland’s 1000 company members contribute generously to the Second Mile fund ranging from $1 per pay period to two percent of their annual salaries.
It took 18 years for the ground roots effort to reach the $1million dollar mark and less than five years to reach its second million in contributions. In addition to donating money and gifts, employees give their personal time and energy by building homes for Habitat for Humanity, participating in fundraising events and tutoring children. Second Mile is also established in the four other southeastern cities where it builds: Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh and Nashville.
Second Mile’s top ten funded organizations over the 23 years include United Way, Literacy Action, Communities in Schools, Atlanta Community Food Bank, March of Dimes, Atlanta Children’s Shelter, Inc., Cool Girls, Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, American Red Cross and Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS). In addition to company member funded Second Mile programs, Second Mile Corporate initiatives have included the construction and complete donation of 27 Habitat for Humanity Homes, The Wieland Wildlife Home at Zoo Atlanta, The Second Mile apartment building to Atlanta Union Mission (for homeless women and children) and the Second Chance Families First Home (for pregnant teens and their children) to name a few. The company continues to take a lead role in revitalizing some of Atlanta’s most down trodden areas including Summer Hill and Reynoldstown.
Founded by John Wieland in 1970, the company is currently building in 60 neighborhoods in the Southeast with 1800 closings and revenues of $730 million in 2004. Named “National Builder of the Year” and “National Housing Quality Award” winner, the company is the Southeast’s leading builder of move-up homes. For more information on Second Mile, visit www.jwhomes.com/secondmile or call Community Relations Director Karissa George at 770-996-2400.
