NORTHBROOK, Ill. — When A.W. Zengeler founded his cleaning business in 1857, he started a tradition that would become his legacy: giving back to the local community, relates Zengeler Cleaners.
Now one of the nation’s oldest and largest family-owned cleaning companies, as Zengeler Cleaners describes itself, continues to live up to its founder’s philosophy of supporting the communities it serves. The result: Zengeler Cleaners has once again donated time, money and manpower to dozens of local organizations, it notes.
“Our company was founded with the belief that local businesses have an ongoing responsibility to support worthy causes in each of the communities where their stores are located,” says Tom Zengeler, president of Zengeler Cleaners.
“Every generation of my family has followed that belief,” Zengeler says, “even as we’ve continued to grow. We also recognized that every town has its own unique set of needs, so we are as flexible as possible when it comes to the support we provide, whether financial or otherwise.”
That flexible approach has resulted in support for a broad range of organizations and causes, especially as Zengeler Cleaners notes it has grown to eight stores located in seven different communities.
For example, the company indicates, it supports causes that range from youth sponsorships for girls and boys, social services, activities sponsored by faith-based organizations, as well as to a number of educational programs.
The contributions add up to thousands of dollars of cash and many, many times that amount in donated cleaning services, Zengeler relates.
Zengeler Cleaners says its “signature projects” include support for Coats for Vets, a program that provides clothing for veterans as they readjust to civilian life after serving the country; and collecting prom apparel for both the Mother’s Trust Foundation and the Glass Slipper Project.
“Our company really appreciates the approach taken by my great-great grandfather,” continues Zengeler.
“His spirit flows through the entire organization and is reflected in the hard work and commitment to excellence shown by our dedicated staff. Supporting the community is a key ingredient to our success.”
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