Our specialization is self storage, but it’s people who lie at the heart of our business. Our community-oriented organization and the quality storage services we provide would not be possible without the staff, businesses, and customers who support us. While these statements apply to many organizations, Central Self Storage chooses to give back.
Today we’ll be talking about a cause that means a great deal to our team at Central Self Storage, Parkenson’s disease awareness, and how a partnership with Charity Storage and the Michael J. Fox Foundation allows us to honor a person who gave our organization it’s soul while taking an active role in finding a cure.
Our Personal Connection to Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, causing symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. While it is most commonly associated with older adults, it can also occur in younger individuals, as was the case with Michael J. Fox.
Our decision to support the Michael J. Fox Foundation stems from a deeply personal connection. One of our founders and a beloved member of our Central Self Storage family, Dwight Davis, suffered from Parkison’s. Though his passing in 2021 was deeply emotional for us all, he left us with a commitment to support our community. In his memory, we have partnered with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to continue his legacy as we make a meaningful impact on the fight to end Parkinson’s.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Life-Changing Work
Founded by actor and activist Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 at the age of 29, the foundation embodies a relentless determination to advance scientific research and transform the landscape of Parkinson’s treatment. Since 2000, the Michael J. Fox Foundation has flourished through impassioned advocacy and fundraising. With the support of organizations like Central Self Storage, they have generated over 1.75 billion dollars to bring the world closer to a cure.
How Charity Storage Units Support Non-Proffit Organizations
To leverage our resources in the most beneficial way possible, Central Self Storage proudly partners with Charity Storage, an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to supporting philanthropic causes through self-storage facilities. Through this partnership, storage units are turned into avenues for fundraising. Here’s how it works.
We designate a “charity unit” in our facilities to serve as a collection point for abandoned items and donations from our company and customers. The verity and value of some items left behind in abandoned storage units is remarkable, and through this initiative, we put them to good use.
The Impact We Can Make Together
The charity storage unit and its contents are auctioned off through storagetreasures.com with the proceeds benefiting the Michael J Fox Foundation’s mission to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, funds generated from the auctions benefit two other non-profit organizations:
- Kure It Cancer Research, which funds translational research for underfunded cancers. By providing immediate grants, sharpening the minds of the next generation of researchers, and directly engaging with the cutting-edge of the scientific community, they bring support to the areas of cancer study where it is needed most.
- The Self Storage Association Foundation Scholarship Program is designed to support SSAF members and their families achieve their educational goals. This program has a direct impact on the communities we serve and has proudly donated over a million dollars in scholarships to deserving students.
How You Can Help Make a Difference
Whether you choose to donate unwanted items to our charity storage unit at your local Central Self Storage facility, participate in auctions on storagetreasures.com, or make a make give a charitable gift to one of our partnering organizations, your support matters.
From quality storage solutions to life-changing research, Central Self-Storage’s ongoing commitment to services shows that, above all else, we value those in need and people like you who can help make a difference.
