"He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.”
- Confucius
At Financial Principles, we not only strive to make a difference in the lives of our clients, but in our communities as well. Giving back is a part of our culture at Financial Principles. In addition to the financial support that our team gives to charitable organizations, our team members donate a great deal of time to local causes. Below is a diary of some of our most recent time spent volunteering on service projects.
June 2023
This year, Financial Principles is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. As we reflect on this major milestone, we recognize how lucky we are to work with wonderful clients, colleagues, friends, and partners who are the foundation of our success as a team. In honor of this milestone and with appreciation for our clients and partners, Financial Principles has donated more than $40,000 to 141 charities that have meaning to, and were selected by, our clients.
The representative charities we are proud to have been able to support as selected by our clients and partners: 11th Hour Rescue, A Better Balance, ACLU, Al's Angel's, ALS Association, Alzheimer's Association, American Association for Cancer Research, American Cancer, American Heart, American Jewish Committee, American Stroke Association, Animal Cancer Foundation, Animal Rescue Force, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Ara Parseghian Medical Research, Aslan Youth Ministries, Audubon Society, Autism Speaks, Be The Match, Bergen County Horse Rescue, Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, Blooming Grove Food Pantry, Bread for the World, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Bright Focus Foundation, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services, Center for Food Action, Charleston Animal Society, Charley's Fund, City Team Chester PA, Community Food Bank of NJ, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Debbie's Dream Foundation, Dorothy Day Hospitality House, Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, Eastern Christian Children's Retreat, Eastern Christian School Association, Elks Camp Moore, Elks National Foundation, Empire State Ride 2023, Eva's Village, Father English Food Pantry, Feeding America, Food Bank of New Jersey, Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, Found Abilities, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Foundation for Women's Cancer, Franciscan Bread for the Poor, Friends of NY Schools, Friends of Ramapo- Ramapo College, Friends Of The Manhattan School For Children, Inc., Fulfill Food Bank Monmouth and Ocean counties, Garfield Animal Rescue Force, Gary Sinise Foundation, God's Love- We Deliver, Great Swamp Watershed Association, Greater Somerset County YMCA, Health Possible Inc., Hi-Tor Animal Care Center- Pomona NY, Homeless Solutions, Homes for our Troops, Hope Christian Services- Wyckoff NJ, Hospice of Rockland, Jewish Services for Developmental Disabilities, Joe Raso Hospice Residence, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, k9's for Warriors, Kidney Cancer Association, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Limen Recovery and Wellness, Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund, Lustgarten Foundation, Madison Holleran Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation, March of Dimes, Market Street Mission, Mary's Place by the Sea, Matthew's House Hospice, Metavivor Research and Support Inc., Michael J Fox Foundation, Miracles for Kids, Mo Better Jaguars Football, Inc., Morristown Medical Center Foundation, Morristown Memorial Hospital Goryeb Children's Hospital, MS Society, Mt. Sinai Hospital- Dubin Breast Center, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Nan Lightstone Memorial Scholarship, Nassau Humane Society, National Downs Syndrome Society, National Eating Disorders Association, National Parks Foundation, NCMEC, New Era Creative Spaces, New Hope Community Ministries, NJ Health Foundation, Pan Can Action Network, Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy, Passaic County CASA, Pequannock Food Pantry, Planned Parenthood, Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, Project K-9 Hero, Project Readiness, Reed Academy, re-member.org, Ronald McDonald House, Sandy Hook Promise, Sarcoma Foundation of America, Save the Children, Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer Foundation, Shriners Hospital, Skylands Animal Sanctuary, Smile Train, Special Strides, St. Hubert's Animal Shelter, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, The Eye Bank for Sight Restoration, The Krazy Girl Foundation, The Raptor Trust, Toby Merrill Scholarship Fund, Triboro Food Pantry- Park Ridge, Tunnels to Towers, Turtle's Trail Foundation, Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation, United Hospice of Rockland, University of Delaware, Vermont Food Bank, Wayne Valley Football Booster Club, West Milford Elks, West Milford Special Olympics, West Side Campaign Against Hunger, WIN Food Pantry, With These Hands, Inc., World Central Kitchen, World Resources Institute, World Vision, World Wildlife Fund, Wounded Warrior Project, Zufall Health Center
May 2023
Steve organized and ran his local library’s Spring Book Fair where over 100 children enjoyed games, crafts, a bouncy house, ice cream, and free books! Steve and his wife Tara even discovered their inner talents as face painters and balloon twisters! The event raised awareness for the Little Library project in his town.
April 2023
Dan, Linda, and Madison were excited volunteers when their church, The Chapel in Lincoln Park, hosted "Night to Shine" - a prom for special needs adults. Dan served on the Security and set up and take down teams. Linda was a host for a special guest and Madison was a dinner server and clean up team member.
December 2022
As another year passes, we continue to have the good fortune of working with wonderful clients, colleagues, friends, and partners who are the backbone of our success as an organization. With that appreciation, Financial Principles has made equal donations to charities picked by each of our team members.
A donation has been made to the Bergen County Horse Rescue where Brad and his daughters Breanna and Jenna are regular volunteers (and where they also have an adopted rescue horse, Koda)!
A donation has been made to Memorial Sloan Kettering/Cela’s Crew Cancer Research Fund in memory of Cela Sewatsky. Cela is the late niece of Christine, who passed earlier this year from a rare childhood cancer. This donation will help in the under researched cures for rare childhood cancers.
A donation has been made to the Hackensack Elks to support their children’s literacy programs where Steve volunteers to make reading materials available to children in need and introduce them to the resources of the local library through the little library program where Steve has built and installed 32 “little libraries” in the City of Hackensack.
A donation has been made to West Milford’s Elks to sponsor a respite week for four special needs children at Elks Camp Moore. Elks Camp Moore, in Haskell, NJ, is an Elks funded summer camp for children with special needs where each camper experiences new adventures, lasting friendships, and opportunities that promote independence and greater self-confidence. Dan’s own son Logan attended the camp last summer which was the inspiration for funding this charity.
A donation has been made to the Daniel J Marino Cancer Fund. The Daniel J Marino Cancer Fund was established by Andy’s childhood friend, Dave Marino, whose father passed away from a bout with Leukemia in 2012. The fund goes to families in Northeast Ohio coping with a loved one diagnosed with cancer who are in need of financial help. Last year, funds were raised to help the family of 12 year old MacKenzie Palmeri, who was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer, Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma.
A donation has been made to the Wayne Interfaith Network food pantry. Mike is a volunteer and supporter of this food pantry that has supported eligible families in Wayne, and the surrounding area, since 1984.
A donation has been made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, in honor of Colleen's late father, Lee Humes. This foundation's mission is to advance the development of new treatments and ultimately a cure for pulmonary fibrosis, as well as provide support to those living with this disease.
While we strive to make a difference not only in the lives of our clients, but in our community. We are thankful for our ability to do so through not only donations of our time and talents to these organizations but with financial contributions that will allow them to continue making meaningful impacts in our communities.
October 2022
West Milford Youth Soccer’s “Challenger Division” just finished their 6th season. This year there were 16 “Challengers” with a broad array of special needs who participated in skills, drills, and full soccer games. Dan Trout (Director of the Program) aligns each participant with two volunteers from The West Milford High School Soccer Teams. This enables many of these 42 high school volunteers to fulfill community service hours for National Honor Society, Scouting, Peer Leaders and other organizations. Financial Principles is honored to fund all of the registration fees, equipment, uniforms, trophies and season ending pizza party for the challengers, volunteers and their families.
April 2022
Modeled after the Little Free Library® and with the help of grants from the Elks National Foundation, Steve has created the HELLO Box Project and built more than three dozen little libraries for the Hackensack community to make books and other resources available to children of the community.
December 2021
While we as an organization make it a priority to practice mindfulness and gratitude, over the last two years we are especially grateful. While so many have been unable to return to their offices or struggled with illness or the loss of a loved one, as a team we have been blessed with our health and the ability to continue to do what we love, with people who we care about deeply.
On behalf of, and in honor of, our clients, partners, and friends, Financial Principles has made equal donations to local charities selected by, and with meaning to, each of our team members.
A donation has been made to the Bergen County Horse Rescue where Brad and his daughters Breanna and Jenna are regular volunteers (and where they also have an adopted rescue horse, Koda)!
A donation has been made to the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, where JoAnne volunteers her time, to bring joy at the Holidays to pediatric cancer patients!
A donation has been made to the Hackensack Elks to support their children’s literacy programs where Steve volunteers to make reading materials available to children in need and introduce them to the resources of the local library. These funds will support their “little library initiative” in which Steve will be constructing two dozen little free libraries throughout the Hackensack community in 2022.
A donation has been made to West Milford’s Special Olympics. Dan and his family are regular volunteers and supporters of the Special Olympics in which Dan’s son, Logan, competes!
A donation has been made to the Daniel J Marino Cancer Fund. Daniel Marino is the late father of a dear friend of Andy and this charity, in his memory, helps to support families in Northeast Ohio who have a loved one battling cancer.
A donation has been made to the Wayne Interfaith Network food pantry. Mike is a volunteer and supporter of this food pantry that has supported eligible families in Wayne, and the surrounding area, since 1984.
We, as a team, strive to make a difference not only in the lives of our clients, but in our local communities. We are thrilled to not only support these amazing organizations by volunteering our time, but with the much-needed financial contributions to allow them to continue to make a difference in our local community.
November 2021
Challenger Soccer in West Milford just concluded its 5th successful season. As the Director of the program, Dan Trout coordinates with the West Milford High School Boys and Girls Soccer Teams to volunteer for the on-field training. Financial Principles is honored to fund all of the registration fees, equipment, uniforms, trophies and season ending pizza party.
October 2021
Using a grant from Elks National Foundation, Steve organized Operation Warm with Hackensack’s Johnson Public Library to promote children’s literacy. More than 50 children were given a brand new warm coat for the winter along with flash cards and books while being introduced to the resources of the local library.
December 2020
This year has been challenging, both personally and professionally, on everyone. We have all seen friends, family, clients, and colleagues struggle in some way. We have seen many fall ill, lose a job or endure a furlough, grapple with the emotional stress of being a frontline worker, struggle with being productive while working from home and helping children and grandchildren with virtual learning, or unfortunately endure the loss of a loved one.
While our team has thankfully remained healthy through this pandemic, we have clients and friends who have contracted the virus, and we fondly remember and honor those who have passed. While we are always grateful, we are reminded this year how blessed we are as a team to do what we love, with people we care about deeply.
This year, on behalf and in honor of our clients and friends, the Financial Principles’ team has made a $5,000 donation to the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s COVID-19 relief fund. To learn more about their efforts, please visit their https://www.nnjcf.org/covid-19-rapid-response-fund/. We are grateful for each and every one of you, we are here for you, and we wish nothing but positivity and blessings for 2021.
December 2020
Every December, Steve organizes a holiday luncheon complete with games, presents, and he even dresses up for a visit from Santa for the children of a local residential care facility. This year, COVID-19 restrictions made that task very difficult. But Steve, with the help of grants from Elks National Foundation, was able to organize the delivery and set up of a holiday luncheon with games and presents for 50 children at 11 different residential care facilities in New Jersey.
November 2020
Brad and his daughters Breanna and Jenna are active volunteers and donors at the Bergen County Horse Rescue (where they also have an adopted horse)!
Thanks to several generous grants and funds raised at their recent event, the Bergen County Horse Rescue was able to retrofit several stalls into a Medical Clinic & Education Center. The new barn provides a spacious, sanitary area in which the vet and farrier can treat horses. A large plexiglass window allows visitors to safely observe how the volunteers bring to life the rescue’s mission of Caring for Horses Mind, Body and Soul.
October 2020
Hightower Financial Principles was a proud sponsor of The Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s! It is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050.
October 2020
Even though participation levels were lower due to Covid, Dan continues to be thrilled to be the Director of Challenger Soccer in West Milford which just concluded its 4th year. Financial Principles was honored to pay for the participants registrations, equipment, uniforms, trophies and season ending pizza party this year.
June 2020
We have had many interns over the years, some of whom have turned full time with our practice! We think it is very important to give back and to provide valuable learning opportunities to the future of our industry. Given the current COVID-19 remote working environment, we have partnered with UDel to provide a Virtual Summer Job Shadow!
December 2019
JoAnne and her daughter are spreading the holiday cheer! They volunteered their time at the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Oncology department’s annual Christmas party. The two spent their evening working directly with the pediatric cancer patients. It was a night full of fun activities, as well as a special visit from Santa!
September 2019
Hightower Financial Principles was a proud sponsor of The Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s! It is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050.
June 2019
The FP team was proud to sponsor the Dennis P. McHugh Foundation’s Annual 5k and Family Fair! We had a great time participating and honoring FDNY firefighter Dennis McHugh who was among the more than 2,800 brave rescue workers and civilians lost during the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11. To learn more about the foundation and their wonderful work, please visit www.dennispmchugh.com.
March 2019
Through his volunteer work as the grants coordinator for the Hackensack Elks, Steve is able to organize a few shipments each year to deployed servicemen and women around the globe. This month a special shipment of cigars, toiletries, and other morale boosting goodies was sent out through Adopt a Soldier Platoon to a special forces unit in AFG that unfortunately lost two members recently.
February 2019
On February 8th Dan and his wife Linda’s Church held Tim Tebow’s “Night to Shine” which is a prom for special needs people from age 16 – 60! There were 95 Prom Kings and Queens along with their parents and caregivers for a total of 240 guests at this Gala Event. Dan served on set up, security and clean up duty while Linda was a one on one host for her special guest.
December 2018
Jo Anne volunteered with her daughters at the St. Joseph’s Hospital’s children’s holiday party for the Oncology Department. Jo Anne volunteers her time and helps raise funds for the children’s hospital throughout the year.
Every December, Steve organizes a holiday luncheon complete with games, presents, and a visit from Santa for the children of a local residential care facility.
This winter, the FP Team organized a coat drive to collect hats, coats, scarves, and gloves for those in need. Thank you to all of our clients and friends who helped make this coat drive a success!
November 2018
The FP Team made a donation on behalf of our clients to Feeding America. Feeding America is America’s largest domestic hunger relief organization with 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries across the country. Through their efforts, Feeding America has served 1 in 7 Americans and in 2016 alone provided over 4 billion meals to those in need.
The FP Team organized a Thanksgiving food drive for local families in need. Thank you to all of our clients and friends who helped make this food drive such a success!
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