Alumnus Russell Folmar continues
Russel Folmar, ’99, discovered the meaning of fun in fundraising during his undergraduate studies at Georgia College. While studying marketing at the university, Folmar learned about the importance of giving back when he served as philanthropy and community service chair for his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. “I met with GIVE Center Director Kendall Stiles during my pledge year with Pi Kappa Phi to learn more about the center,” said Folmar. “She challenged me to get up to 20 people from my fraternity involved in upcoming volunteer events. I agreed and met with her every single day about volunteering efforts. Not only were we giving ourselves for these events, but we were having fun.” After graduating from Georgia College, Folmar started work as a marketing analyst at Tyco — one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of plastic films products. Through Tyco, Folmar continued to apply his volunteer values from Georgia College. “I played on a softball team and met a volunteer fireman who needed new equipment for his station,” said Folmar. “Tyco acquired Scott Safety, which makes air packs for firefighters, so we crafted a letter to the company. Before we knew it, firefighters in Ringtown, Pa., received donated equipment.” Folmar’s volunteering work with the GIVE Center led
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Georgia College Connection | Summer 2013
them to a school in Sri Lanka that had no books. He collaborated with Stiles to donate thousands of books. He remains active in outreach initiatives from the Milledgeville community and greater Middle Georgia area to global philanthropic projects in China with orphanages and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with schools. Currently, Folmar is director of International Sales for Mainetti, which is a global manufacturer of garment hangers with 42 locations worldwide. “I’ve been to more countries than I can admit,” Folmar said. “I’ve met people from other cultures and have an appreciation for these cultures. We’ve done great things together, and that synergy tells me that I can’t do it alone.” Folmar finds selfless acts rewarding and involves his family whenever possible. He likes to team up with his wife, Maggie, on volunteer projects. “She’s a rock star,” he said. “She helps with coordinating projects like collecting books for children. Philanthropy really gives scope in our lives.” Today, Folmar continues to give back to his alma mater through the GIVE Center Alumni GIVEStrong fundraising initiative — an effort chaired by Folmar to provide financial support for scholarships, technology upgrades, student/alumni projects and expansion of the center.