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The Atlanta Retailers Association

The Atlanta Retailers Association (ARA) has been a sponsor of Partnership Walk since 2001.   A volunteer from the Southeast Region Team spoke with Afroz Painter, the current president of ARA, about corporate social responsibility and their on-going commitment to support PartnershipsInAction initiatives and the work carried out by the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA).

Q:  What motivates the Atlanta Retailers Association to give back to the community through supporting initiatives like PartnershipsInAction?
A:  ARA is involved in charitable giving because being we all have a duty to be responsible and good citizens. As such, the office-bearers and members of the association understand that without material support, institutions like AKF USA cannot function to their full capacity. Outreach through community involvement and charitable giving is a great way for the Association to further utilize and strengthen the collective efforts of its members, associates and its critical mass.  Outreach helps strengthen the foundation of the Association as well. 

Q:  How do you encourage corporate social responsibility and community involvement among your member and associate corporations?
A:  Companies like Coke, Pepsi, Frito Lay and Gatorade recognize that they too are corporate citizens and know the importance of community involvement. When they join our association, they understand that our charity of choice is AKF USA and PartnershipsInAction. When the time comes each year for the Walk, they gladly pitch in and become part of the association’s effort to do their part in helping global poverty. Recession or no recession, each year, we encourage our members and associates to give more, with the overall goal of doing better than the previous year.

Q:  Why is AKF USA your association’s charity of choice?  What about the organization’s work first attracted you? 
A:  AKF USA has always been the charity of choice for ARA because of its work and the way its events are structured. We are especially moved by the fact that 100% of the money collected goes to the projects, not to cover administration costs.  This is very similar to how ARA’s structure is. 

Q:  As a long-time supporter of Partnership Walk, how does your association view the expanding portfolio of PartnershipsInAction events?
A:  The future of Partnership Walk looks great.  The event is already marked on our calendars as well as that of our corporate donors. Each year, we feel that our vendors and members learn more about the work of AKF USA and development issues from attending the Walk.

Whoever thought up the idea of Partnership Golf should be rewarded.  Playing golf is a popular hobby of corporate America, and as such, charity golf tournaments are good for both business and charitable causes because many major deals happen on the golf course.  Partnership Golf has been an “ace in the hole,” so to speak.

PartnershipsInAction is doing a tremendous job and ARA will continue to support and participate in its initiatives.

ARA Team members who attended the 2008 Walk