Parker Web Finds A Silver Lining In Community Service
MATTHEWS, NC - December 7, 2011 - To a lot of typical small business owners, giving their services away for free is a bad idea.
But Darryl Parker sees things differently. As the owner of Internet services provider Parker Web (www.parkerweb.com), he believes there are great rewards in offering free and reduced rates to organizations in need—especially nonprofits in his adopted community of Matthews, NC.
"We are developing a culture of giving and charity at Parker Web," Parker, 41, said. "It is important to me to not simply run a business, but to make a visible impact in the community and give our work a depth of meaning. When you operate all day in a digital space like we do, it is easy to get separated from tangible outcomes."
In 2005, Parker was already an active participant in many local organizations in Matthews. But he felt the need to do more than just show up at meetings and sit on boards. As a provider of web hosting and web maintenance services, he approached several nonprofits and offered to host their websites for free.
Putting Money Back To Work For Nonprofits
"The website is a critical presence and the primary ‘face' for many nonprofits," Parker explained. "Web hosting alone costs an organization anywhere from $60 to $1,000 per year depending on their needs. We immediately eliminate that cost and they add that money back to their work."
The program, which Parker calls Silver Lining, was an instant hit, both inside and outside the company.
"Since many people refer to the Internet as ‘the cloud,' we like the term ‘Silver Lining' to describe our offerings to nonprofits," Parker said.
Nonprofit Leaders Are Grateful For The Program
Jayson Johnston is executive director of Matthews Alive, a prominent annual festival that was one of the first organizations that Parker Web helped and where Parker has served on the Matthews Alive Board of Directors since 2009. Johnston said the results of collaborating with Parker have been excellent.
"Darryl has a great creative mind and spirit, combined with very fiscally responsible understanding," Johnston said. "Sometimes creativity and small budgets do not go hand in hand. He brought web designers to the table as well as good ideas. We got a discount on the web design, then Parker Web starting hosting and maintaining our web site free of charge."
Parker Web is currently helping another nonprofit, Matthews Help Center, refresh their website. They will also take over ongoing maintenance of the site.
"We were floored and thrilled to have these services provided for free," said Matthews Help Center Business Manager Bobbye Newsome. "Darryl is an amazingly generous individual. I can't adequately express how much he has done for Matthews Help Center."
Over $50,000 in Services Provided to Organizations Since 2005
After the first year of the Silver Lining program in 2005, Parker Web began working with other groups and offering additional services for free or at sharply discounted rates.
"When we work with nonprofits, we offer what we can at no cost and then provide discounts on the remainder," Parker said. "This keeps their internal costs down and allows the website to be a valuable information tool to serve their mission." To date, the Silver Lining program has delivered over $50,000 in free or discounted hosting, design and maintenance services.
Nonprofits served have included the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, the Hospitality House of Charlotte, The Foundation for Tomorrow, the USO of North Carolina, the Matthews Alive Festival, the Matthews Help Center, the Matthews Free Medical Clinic, the Matthews Chamber of Commerce and over 15 other organizations.
Parker Web encourages other nonprofits in need of free web site hosting and/or website design maintenance services to reach out via their website at ParkerWeb.com. "At the very least, we can provide free and professional website and email hosting services," Parker said. "If required, we may be able to provide design and maintenance services at a discounted cost to the organization based on our ability within our giving budget."
Giving Is Now A Big Part of Parker Web's Culture
Darryl Parker found real meaning in the adage that "It's better to give than to receive." In the years since Parker Web introduced the Silver Lining program, it has become a source of pride and personal satisfaction within the company.
"Ironically, we found our own ‘silver lining' from donating our services. Giving and charity are now a dynamic part of our mission and have become vital to our employees," Parker said.
Team members are encouraged to bring suggestions of groups they support to the table.
"Working with certain nonprofits has become very personal to the individuals in our organization," Parker said. "People champion causes they believe in, and in turn convince us all to support them as a team."
Parker believes the effort helps benefit not only morale, but the bottom line.
"All of Parker Web's clients win because we have developed a professional team that genuinely cares," he said. "As we continue to face the challenges of running a small business, this effort gives us hope and keeps our direction clear. It has helped us find and keep the right people working with our clients—both in and out of the Silver Lining program."
About Parker Web
Founded in 1997, Parker Web provides a range of Internet development, Web maintenance, e-commerce development and online marketing services. The company focuses on servicing existing websites by working closely with interactive agencies, website managers and business website owners to achieve their maintenance and marketing objectives. For more information, visit http://www.parkerweb.com.
