Air Terminal Gifts, the Utah-based company that operates 16 stores in the Salt Lake International Airport, will be making charitable donations to five area nonprofit organizations in 2007.  A total of $60,000, or $12,000 to each nonprofit organization, will be given to TreeUtah, Catholic Community Services of Utah, the Utah Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, Family Support Center and Neighborhood House.

In 2006, the company launched its community giving campaign, the Air Terminal GIFTS program.  The acronym, GIFTS, stands for 
guidance, integrity, freedom, transformation and self-sufficiency.  
Last year, the total amount given to area nonprofit organizations was $48,000.

"Our family owned business has been a part of the community since 1961, when my parents, Bill and Lucille Crismon, first opened a small freestanding gift shop and newsstand in the Salt Lake International Airport.  From the very beginning, we have always believed in giving back, and so, we created our GIFTS program last year to really provide structure to our annual donations.  We believe our current program really makes a measurable difference since it provides substantial support to a select group of nonprofits whose missions mesh with our company’s philosophy," said Tom Crismon, chief operating officer of Air Terminal Gifts.

TreeUtah will receive a donation from Air Terminal Gifts for the second straight year.  Crismon said this nonprofit was selected since his family has had a longstanding commitment to protecting the environment.  "In fact, one of Air Terminal Gifts’ stores, Your Planet, is the only store in the nation’s airport industry that offers products that are recycled, environmentally friendly, sustainable, educational, natural or organic, or socially responsible," he said.

Air Terminal Gifts’ donation to TreeUtah will support the MetroGreening Program which uses trees and green space to offset environmental impacts in the metro area.
      This will also be the second year that Air Terminal Gifts will 
be making a donation to Catholic Community Services of Utah.  
“Approximately 50 percent of our workforce is made up of refugees.  
We are strong believers in supporting newcomers to this country, and Catholic Community Services’ Immigration and Refugee Resettlement Programs are key to helping many people survive.  These programs assist refugees who are seeking sanctuary from their own countries, and provide reception and job placement services.  Each year, this program helps nearly 500 refugee families begin new lives in America,” Crismon said.

"Once again, the Utah Chapter of the American Diabetes Association will receive a donation from Air Terminal Gifts.  An estimated 20 million Americans have diabetes, and many of our employees and family members have been touched in some way by this disease.  Our donation will help this nonprofit organization to expand its community initiative and reach many children in underserved communities," Crismon said.

The two nonprofit organizations to be selected by Air Terminal Gifts for the first time are the Family Support Center and Neighborhood House.

The Family Support Center’s mission is to protect children, strengthen families and prevent child abuse.  The center was founded in 1977, and currently maintains facilities in Sugar House and Midvale.  The center provides short-term crisis care to children who are at risk for abuse or neglect.  In addition, the center’s Lifestart Village in Midvale provides single mothers with young- children housing and life-skills training.  As these mothers progress through the program, they can qualify to live in rent-to-own twin homes in the Lifestart Village.

Established in 1894, Neighborhood House provides quality, affordable, day care and support services to low-income families based on their ability to provide payment. Neighborhood House services are available to children and aging and/or disabled adults needing daytime supervision.  Payment is based on the income level of the client.  Neighborhood House currently serves 236 children daily between the ages of 2 and 14 with a preschool program, before and after school care, a summer recreation program, and referrals to other critical community resources.  There are also two adult day centers available for frail or disabled adults.  The centers are located at 423 South 1100 West Salt Lake City and 1580 East Vine Street in Holladay.