GIVING BACK BEVERLY HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SOMETHING IN THE WATER: Jon Gluck, (LEFT) the Co-Founder and President of the fine water producer, Beverly Hills Drink Company, which makes Beverly Hills 90H20, is the winner of the Beverly Hills Golden Palm Award for Innovation.
“The offering of donated product has been a major driver of our work in the community; we support all types of causes— from school and civic events to the grand openings of new businesses.”—Jon Gluck 24
BEVERLY HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
I b e v e r l y h i l l s c h a m b e r. c o m
support for the state of Israel. “I think Beverly Hills is an amazing philanthropic community,” says Gina with unbridled enthusiasm. “There are so many organizations people feel passionate about and want to find ways to support. The people of Beverly Hills are incredibly generous.” She also believes in the power of direct involvement, particularly as a way to encourage younger people to get involved. “In all the causes that I have worked with, I’ve found it important to give people, particularly young people, the chance to take on leadership positions,” she emphasizes. “Sure, there are people that just want to give a check, and that’s great. But I’m finding more and more people that want to be actively involved. I take my hat off to the people who are willing to donate their time and do the physical work. Those people are just amazing.” In every aspect of life words matter and carry meaning. For many members of the millennial generation, the word “philanthropy” is often associated with an image of the past. “Philanthropy is incredibly important. It’s a central part of my life and a pillar of our company,” says Jon Gluck, the Co-Founder and President of the fine water producer, Beverly Hills Drink Company, which makes Beverly Hills 90H20, winner of the Beverly Hills Golden Palm Award for Innovation. At the same time, Gluck, who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of the millennial generation, feels that the word “philanthropy” does not resonate well with his friends and colleagues. “I’ve noticed,” he observes, “that there is a perception that the word philanthropy is associated with an older generation. That’s a connotation younger people have built around the word. I’ve found the members of my generation much prefer the word ‘giving.’ It has a more down-to-earth and approachable quality. Yet carries the same essence of helping others. “There is strong enthusiasm among the members of the young generation for giving back,” Gluck observes. “You’re seeing entire companies and product lines that are centered around important causes. There are now even popularized terms among the movement, such as cause marketing. I can’t tell you how many people I know in their 20s, 30s and 40s who are deeply involved in charitable activities. It’s on-trend. And,” he adds, “it’s the right thing to do.” As a representative of the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram generation, Gluck says he also sees his generation taking a global view of giving back that looks toward causes that promote a sustainable future for their communities and the planet. “With the emergence of new technologies and