Some companies become an island, but we know we're part of a bigger community.” If ever that concept applied to a business, it would certainly be Disc Graphics, Inc. The converter's far-reaching charitable work makes it a clear winner of the 2007 Innovator Award for Community Service.

Founded in 1983, Hauppauge, NY-based Disc Graphics is the successor to a one-product company that printed record labels. Since then, the business has diversified into several specialty markets, converting folding cartons, point-of-purchase displays and labels for branded and private-label OTC pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and HBA products—as well as its original staple, the entertainment industry. For those customers, Disc Graphics' new Omni-Pac® DVD/CD package (at left) uses one-third less paperboard than traditional media packaging. Its two manufacturing plants—one in Hauppauge and a joint-venture facility with Southern Container in New Jersey—yield annual sales of more than $50 million.

“Early on, we recognized that we're really a family-oriented company,” says John Rebecchi, senior vice president of marketing and new business development and a co-founder of Disc Graphics. He gives much of the credit for the company's initial community service to chief executive officer Don Sinkin and president Margaret Krumholz.

“Don was the first to get involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” he explains. Eight years ago, Disc Graphics began printing all of that organization's holiday ornaments sold to raise money for the Suffolk County (NY) regional foundation, as well invitations for its annual fundraising gala.

Other beneficiaries of Disc Graphics' charitable giving read like a Who's Who of organizations large and small. Among them:

• Best Buddies® New York—raised $140,000 for social-skills development programs for intellectually disabled students by sponsoring a golf outing and silent auction this summer.
• Long Island Cares—500 lbs of food were donated to this hunger-assistance group set up by the late Harry Chapin.
• United Way of Long Island—raised $6,500.
• American Diabetes Association — $4,230 were donated via a recent Walk-A-Thon.
• Local blood banks—two annual blood drives are held at Disc Graphics.
• Salvation Army Angel Tree—Christmas gifts to 50 children of incarcerated parents.
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul—donated $5,000 worth of corrugated boxes.

A Community Service Committee (CSC) composed of 10 employees at various levels within Disc Graphics was set up almost three years ago to better organize the many charitable activities—while also getting all those cartons and labels made. The CSC looks at what will best help the local community as well as what causes are important to company employees.

“We try to target a couple different areas because some people just want to give money like to United Way,” explains Diane Ferrante, Disc Graphics director of human resources. “Some people can't give money; they can only give time. Some employees are willing to do just about anything for a good cause.”

This summer's Best Buddies New York golf outing is a perfect example. Disc Graphics was the title sponsor, then found other presenting sponsors and donations for the auction. “We did that because there were so many school districts on Long Island clamoring for funding,” Ferrante says. “We have several employees who have children with special needs, and this program really hit home for us.”

Rebecchi sums up Disc Graphics' philosophy of charitable giving. “We live nearby our company. We understand the needs of our general community and our own employees. If you're going to be part of that community, you really have to be engaged.”