As Americans continue to face challenging economic circumstances, stories of corporate greed and injustice seem to dominate the media. This, however, is not one of those stories. This is the story of corporate generosity and social responsibility, wherein two successful business partners team with their employees to extend much needed help to children.
Ron Regenstreif and Michael Goldstone, co-owners of Regency Lighting, a nationwide business based in Chatsworth, built their business on ideas of integrity and honoring relationships. Their steadfast commitment to these ideas has garnered them success, as they now operate 78 locations nationwide. In conjunction with “honoring relationships,” Regenstreif and Goldstone believe that business owners hold a social responsibility to those less fortunate, and they contribute a sizeable portion of their annual profits to those in need. Regenstreif was searching for their next philanthropic endeavor when Vickie McCoy, Regenstreif’s and Goldstone’s long-time employee, returned from a trip to ZOE Children’s Homes in Thailand and reported ZOE’s need for additional housing for rescued boys. Without hesitation, Regency Lighting committed to funding the project.
ZOE Children’s Homes is a Santa Clarita based non-profit organization that cares for orphans and rescues children from human trafficking. Currently, ZOE’s work is focused in Thailand, a region where human trafficking crimes are prevalent. Once children are under ZOE’s care, ZOE remains responsible for them through adulthood by providing a safe and loving home community. Currently, boys and girls are housed on separate levels of the same building at ZOE. However, because there has recently been an increase in the number of boys being rescued, the ZOE staff believes building a separate, 9,000 square-foot home for the boys would not only ensure the healthiest possible living environment for everyone, but it would also provide more space for ZOE to rescue more children. Upon hearing of this need, Regency’s executive team authorized McCoy to commit Regency Lighting to funding the $250,000 project and to extend the effort to Regency Lighting employees as well.
McCoy and committee have since organized fundraisers, whereby Regency Lighting provides supplies and their staff makes donations for events such as Root Beer Float Fridays. McCoy’s next project allows staff and other ZOE supporters to fund the facility by donating $27 per square-foot.
If you’d like to join Regency Lighting by purchasing a square foot of the boys’ home or by becoming a ZOE supporter, please call 661-255-7963 or visit www.zoechildren.org.