Over the past 10 years, Benvenuti has been much more active with philanthropic programs than he was 20 years ago. “Little by little, you give one year and the next year you can’t say no. The list of groups we give to has grown longer and longer. We’ve been fortunate and can afford to give back,” he says. “Certain clients ask us to help one of their favorite charities, and when a client spends a few million with you, it’s hard to say no. But that’s fine because what you give out, you always get back somehow.”

Many Ways To Give

With a little thought and creativity, builders and remodelers have come up with interesting ways to contribute to their communities. Most of them donate money, but some go beyond that with special projects such as creating a 501c3 organization exclusively financed by donations, like Packman did. The group, called Standing On Stone, benefits people in the community. The budget is roughly $40,000, all of which goes to running the organization. “We’re frugal with how we spend the money, buying sleeping bags and tents, for example. Our goal is not to create comfort, but to keep people alive and give them hope. Once we gain their trust, then we can go to the next step,” he says.

Packman realizes that before talking about getting a job or spiritual issues, the priority is making sure core needs such as food and shelter are met. “That’s all they want. So we take care of that. There are no buildings we own, no operational costs.”

Packman cites successful examples of his mentoring process. “One guy came to us just down and out, with a minor drinking problem. He seemed like a sharp guy. He had his own landscaping company, but then had a nervous breakdown about three years ago. And now he has made a phenomenal recovery. Through mentoring him, he has re-established his business and is doing well. He’s my main landscape guy now and assists in design. I’m hooking him up with a local Rotary member to help him with his business skills. That has been an amazing thing to watch,” Packman says.

When the people Packman mentors show a level of success, he throws them safe work such as jobsite cleanup. “We work them hard, and I make sure the site supervisor doesn’t pull punches. Some guys have a tough time listening to instruction. So I need to sit them down, and tell them they have to listen. At that point, I’m not just a boss. I am their friend and mentor and there is a level of trust involved,” he says.