NEWARK– Dermody Properties, a national private equity real estate investment, development and management company focused exclusively on the logistics real estate sector, has announced the recipients of its annual Dermody Properties Thanksgiving Capstone Award. The American Heart Association Delaware affiliate (AHA) has received $5,000 to assist in its mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives through heart health advocacy.

[caption id="attachment_206065" align="aligncenter" width="995"] Jeff Zygler of Dermody Properties presents a 2020 Thanksgiving Capstone Award to David Morris of the American Heart Association | PHOTO COURTESY OF DERMONDY PROPERTIES[/caption]

In 2019, contributions like the Thanksgiving Capstone Award helped AHA combat heart disease, the number one cause of death in the United States. Specifically, with the launch of Research Goes Red with Project Baseline by Verily, to ensure women are represented in heart research studies; Health Screening Services, a science-based business that can help create a workplace culture of health through increased awareness of health risks; and by issuing the first grants from their Social Impact Fund, which will help break down barriers to healthy living. AHA also championed legislation expanding patient access to heart attack and stroke care, supported bipartisan efforts to prohibit tobacco sales to people under 21 and fought to preserve and extend health insurance coverage for all Americans.

Every year, senior management at Dermody Properties selects the recipients for the annual Thanksgiving Capstone Award with the overall goal of helping nonprofit organizations address the increased need experienced during the holidays. This year, Gene Preston, East Region Partner at Dermody Properties and Jeff Zygler, Partner at Dermody Properties, have specifically designated AHA Delaware as a recipient.

“The Capstone Award is designed to recognize organizations that are committed to making a positive impact in their communities,” said Preston in a statement. “We feel very fortunate to have the means to support an organization that is dedicated to improving the long-term health of Delaware.”

“The American Heart Association plays a vital role in heart health for people in our communities,” said Zygler in a statement. “We know that this contribution will go a long way in funding training, research and education in our region in an effort to promote overall health and healthy living practices.”

The Dermody Properties Annual Thanksgiving Capstone Award is uniquely directed each year by the executive management committee of Dermody Properties, which includes Chairman and CEO Michael C. Dermody; President Douglas A. Kiersey, Jr.; Partner and Chief Capital Officer Kathleen S. Briscoe; Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Kauchak; Chief Financial Officer Douglas Lanning; and Partner and Chief Investment Officer Timothy Walsh.

“Every year, the Thanksgiving Capstone Award brings our company, our executive team and our communities come together to help those organizations who are truly making an impact in the lives of people in need,” said Dermody. “At Dermody Properties, this award has become a tradition to help ensure the communities in which we do business have adequate resources. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that now, more than ever, these gifts are critical to people in need. We are pleased to support the American Heart Association and recognize their efforts to improve the quality and longevity of life for people in Delaware and worldwide.”

Dermody Properties has selected five additional recipient organizations and will award $25,000 to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada in Sparks, Nev., and $5,000 each to the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry in Elmhurst, Ill., GRACE in Grapevine, Texas, St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, Ariz. and Feeding America of Riverside and San Bernardino in Riverside, Calif.