PFAFFINGER foundation
A non-profit charitable organization assisting employees and
retirees of Newsday, The Baltimore Sun, The Hartford Courant, The Morning Call,
The Advocate & Greenwich Time.
HISTORY
PFAFFINGER FOUNDADTION was established in 1936 by Frank
Pfaffinger, a cabinet-maker from Bavaria who
immigrated to the United
States in 1882 and began working for the Los
Angeles Times in 1887. During a 53-year
career with the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Pfaffinger also served as treasurer of
the Times Mirror Company, formerly the parent company of the newspapers whose
employees are now served by the Foundation.
He helped the company grow through his frugal spending policies and
careful business practices.
Mr. Pfaffinger was a philanthropist who cared deeply about
the welfare of his fellow employees, often anonymously helping employees in
need. He was an early shareholder of
Times Mirror, acquired real estate in Los Angeles
and elsewhere in Southern California, and
invested in a number of local business ventures. Four years before his death in 1940, he set
aside the bulk of his estate to create a permanent foundation that would that
would, as he requested, assist “needy employees and former employees of The
Times Mirror Company,” and their families.
Since the Foundation’s assistance program became fully operational in
1945, grants have been made continuously to employees, retirees, and their
families.
Frank Pfaffinger’s extraordinary insight created a legacy
that continues into the 21st Century. Direct financial assistance, coupled with the
support and guidance of professional case managers, make the Pfaffinger Foundation
a rare and nearly unique organization.
TODAY
The Pfaffinger Foundation continues to honor the legacy of
Frank Pfaffinger. Managed by a professional
staff under the direction of a board of directors, the Pfaffinger Foundation
provides help to eligible employees, retirees, and surviving spouses at the
newspapers previously owned by Times Mirror.
Assistance is provided for such needs as medical expenses, emergency
food and shelter, and other basic necessities due to unforeseen financial
difficulties. The Foundation does not
provide funds for usual or voluntary expenses such as weddings, travel, or
investments.
Los Angeles Times employees are also eligible for assistance
from the Foundation. A separate brochure
is available for them describing the Foundation’s programs.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible
employees were employed as of June 12, 2000 at Newsday, The Baltimore
Sun, The Hartford
Courant. The Morning Call, The Advocate, and Greenwich Time. Eligibility
includes employees of the newspapers’ subsidiaries that were wholly-owned as of
June 12, 2000.
When an
eligible employee severs employment with one of the newspapers, he or she
remains eligible for 20% of service time, but not less then six months. Thus,
an employee who left Newsday after 10 years would be eligible for assistance
for two years following the last date of employment.
Retirees and their spouses have
lifetime eligibility for assistance if the employee was eligible for Pfaffinger
assistance when employed and left active employment at age 50 or later. In addition, at termination of employment,
the employee must meet the “65 point rule” with one point for each year of age
and one point for each year of service, with no fewer than 10 points from years
of service. Contact the Foundation
offices for further information.
HOW TO APPLY
To
qualify for the Foundation assistance, an eligible employee, retiree, or
surviving spouse would be in a situation where most liquid assets have been
depleted, not including a house or car.
To apply for assistance:
1.
Obtain an application from the employee relations or
human resources department, or directly from Pfaffinger Foundation.
2.
Include financial information requested and a detailed
explanation of the problem and how funds will be used.
3.
Attach copies of the last two paycheck stubs and the
previous year’s income tax return.
4.
Mail these materials to the Foundation offices, or fax them
after calling first.
5.
Expect a telephone call from a Pfaffinger case manager
who will discuss your case and may request additional information.
Professional case managers evaluate each case on an
individual basis and, if appropriate, referrals are made to outside community
resources.
Please return your completed application to Susan Kipp,
Newsday’s Human Resources Department.
Note: To be eligible for
assistance your hire date must be prior to 6/12/00 and you must work 1000 hrs.
per year.
Pfaffinger Foundation
316 W. Second
Street
Suite PH-C
Los Angeles
California
90012
Phone 213.680.7460
Toll-free 888.339.7460
Fax 213.680.7474
Pfaffinger was established and continues to operate as an
independent non-profit corporation and has no formal affiliation with any other
entities.
