Giving Back

For Achen-Gardner Construction, LLC and its employees, giving back means many things. It means fiscal responsibility during turbulent times, generosity toward our community, and a willingness to step out into local neighborhoods to share our passion and enthusiasm. Below is a sample of our ongoing contributions:

Habitat For Humanity
We believe in giving back to the communities where we live, work and play. Employees and their friends, children, family members and neighbors have contributed to making the American dream a reality through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Mike Kolling Memorial Scholarship
After the passing of a much-loved former employee, Mike Kolling, Achen-Gardner teamed with his widow Jean to organize an annual Mike Kolling Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament. This event is designed to bring together friends and peers of Mike Kolling to celebrate his life and to raise scholarship funds that will benefit local Construction and Engineering School students at Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University. 

More information about the Mike Kolling Memorial Scholarship, which is distributed to students attending Arizona universities, is also available at the following websites: Arizona State University - Del E. Webb School of Construction, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University.

Chandler Horizon Rotary Club Million Dollar Hole-In-One Shootout
Contribute to local charities/organizations and win great prizes at this annual event that Achen-Gardner companies have sponsored for the past 15 years at the San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler. Every year, starting on President's Day, hundreds of participants attend this event and raise an average of $50,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley, YMCA, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Chandler Christian Community Center, Hunger Plus, Gift of Life, and many more. Participants pay $1 per ball to try to make a 100-yard hole-in-one and a chance to win up to $1 million in cash or one of many great daily prizes. For more information visit the Chandler Horizon Rotary Club website.

Jen Hoffmann Memorial Golf Tournament
As founder of Team THRIVR, Jen organized the first tournament in 2007 to raise funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure to support the necessary research to find a cure for breast cancer. Jen fought this terrible disease with a passion until her passing in April 2009. Please join us as family and friends get together for a wonderful day of remembering Jen and continuing the fight. 

Community Outreach in Mesa
On February 27th, 2010, Achen-Gardner joined members of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Arizona Chapter to take part in the City of Mesa "Top 2 Bottom" beautification project. Dozens of Valley groups/organizations and approximately 1,500 volunteers from Mesa Council Districts 1, 3, and 5 participated in the event. There were a variety of projects completed all over the City of Mesa. Projects included painting, alley and park clean-ups, graffiti removal and yard work.

Supporting ICAN 

Achen-Gardner Construction, LLC donates time, money and supplies to ICAN, a Chandler-based organization that provides free, comprehensive programs that empower youth to be productive, self-confident, and responsible members of the community.

ICAN offers equal access and free programs to every kid who wants to participate – programs that are proven effective at preventing substance abuse, gang activity and other delinquency among youth…building social and academic success. Youth are four times more likely to engage in delinquent behavior if not involved in structured, supportive activities when they are out of school. Further, studies have shown that the annual cost of substance abuse to the nation is over $510 billon, and is among one of the most costly health problems our communities face.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration suggests that if effective prevention programs, like those offered by ICAN, were implemented nationwide, substance abuse initiation would decline for 1.5 million youth. Further, the Southwest Prevention Institute estimated that for every $1 invested in prevention programs, there is a $10 savings to the community in the need for future behavioral health and justice system costs.

ICAN is an investment in the future of our children and in the future of Chandler.

For more information visit the ICAN website.

Achen-Gardner has also given donations to the following:

Special Recognition

Statues and certificates of appreciation for donations and miscellaneous achievements:

Achen-Gardner gave a donation and participated in the 2009 Gilbert Days Parade.

Achen-Gardner sponsors and helps to organize the annual Chandler Horizon Rotary Club Million Dollar Hole-In-One Shootout.