Springfield, MO Philanthropist Give the Gift of Giving Back

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Patti Penny, owner of Penmac Personnel, has borrowed a big idea from Oprah Winfrey and is giving the gift of giving back. Penny gave over 200 people $100 each – with the stipulation that they in turn donate their money to a charitable cause. The recipients were attendees of the 2006 National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon at Highland Springs Country Club on Friday, November 17, 2006.

Penny gave the announcement while being honored for Outstanding Corporation of the Year for Penny and Penmac’s philanthropic endeavors.

On a recent Oprah show, Winfrey gave $1000 to 300 audience members with the same stipulation.

“The journey of Penmac’s success has been much like the impossible dream,” Penny said. “My hope is that this small gesture can assist in making someone else’s dream possible.”

Penny is asking that each recipient let her know how they will give the money, and to possibly highlight a few of the most original ideas at next year’s luncheon.

Mickey Moore, National Philanthropy Day Committee chair and Development Director for St. John’s Foundation for Community Health applauded Penny’s unprecedented philanthropic efforts.

“Although public recognition is not often the purpose for their support,” Moore said. “Our hope is that through this event others in the community will recognize the importance of philanthropy and will choose to follow their lead in supporting efforts that continue to make the Ozarks a great place to live.”

Penmac was nominated for Outstanding Corporation of the Year by the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. Penmac received the award from the Ozarks Region Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals at a luncheon at Highland Springs Country Club on Friday, November 17th as part of National Philanthropy Day.

About Penmac Personnel Services
Penmac, a certified woman-owned Missouri corporation headquartered in Springfield, is the largest privately-held employment firm in Missouri. Founded in 1988 by Patti Penny, Penmac has experienced phenomenal growth from one home office to 42 branches in seven states. Recently, Penmac was recognized as a Top 25 Women Business Enterprise by Women's Business Enterprise National Council. For five consecutive years, Inc. 500 magazine ranked Penmac as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the U.S., and in 2005, Penmac ranked #38 of the top 500 Women-Owned Businesses in the U.S.

About National Philanthropy Day
National Philanthropy Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving and all that it has made possible. First held in 1986, NPD celebrates the endless daily contributions individuals and organizations across the world make to countless causes and missions. Last year, more than 100 AFP chapters held NPD events and activities across North America.

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