Two Men and a Truck’s mission and vision drive local franchise owner Jeff Brown to help community organizations, including Porter County Aging and Community Services.
The moving company has been stepping in when organizations need assistance with projects since the Northwest Indiana location opened in 2004.
PCACS Executive Director Bruce Lindner said Brown and his staff have donated their services to help Federal Section 8 Housing clients move when they faced health challenges or didn’t have family to help.
“Most of the time the clients’ apartments before the move had problems like mold, poor heating or offered challenges by not being on the ground level,” Lindner said. “The moves usually involved some packing of goods as well as moving the chairs, beds and other furniture. Jeff understands our clients and goes beyond what is expected.”
Brown said the franchises are encouraged to get involved in their communities as a way to build on founder Mary Ellen Sheets’ years of volunteering. She donated her first-year profit, $1,000, to 10 different charities — a tradition she continues through support of these charities today.
On a national level, the company donates a dime for every move to the American Cancer Society. Since launching the program in 2000, the company has raised $345,219 for the charity.
Locally, Brown began his location’s community involvement after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation by donating its entire box inventory to the Church of Nazarene. Since then, Brown’s team has provided time, services and supplies to area organizations and causes, including Spring Valley Homeless Shelter, Opportunity Enterprises, Kiwanis, the United Way, Toys for Tots, the Buddy Walk, March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity and various churches.
“If you don't help out, what are you here for? What goes around comes around,” Brown said. “If you operate a poor business, you aren’t going to be here too long. It makes you feel good to wear our company shirts with pride, knowing what we do for the community and how we run a good business.”
In 2012, Brown looks to help even more by participating in the company’s Movers for Moms project, which collects supplies for women’s shelters. His franchise will connect with area schools and organizations to gather supplies such as blankets, personal hygiene items and clothing, which will then be delivered to a women’s shelter on Mother’s Day.
PCACS’ mission is to extend a helping hand to seniors, those with disabilities and low-income residents by providing services to improve their quality of life, including transportation, nutrition programs, energy assistance and activity centers. For more information, visit www.portercountyacs.org
Jeff Brown launched his Two Men and a Truck franchise in 2004. With a main office in Valparaiso and a satellite office in Cedar Lake, his location has helped with more than 10,000 moves since opening. The company provides custom moving services tailored to the clients’ needs, from full service packing-and-moving projects to moving of only larger items, such as furniture.
For more information, visit twomen.com or contact 548-7577 in Valparaiso or 365-4477 in Cedar Lake.