Family Business
Vincent “Vin” Buonanno, Chairman and CEO of Tempel Steel Company in Chicago, IL and his wife, Linda Smith Buonanno, have been supporters of The Haitian Project for more than a decade. During that time, the Buonannos’ generosity has helped make two capital campaigns a success and has provided annual support for LCS’s operation.
Vin is one of three Buonannos who support The Haitian Project. His brother, Bernard V. Buonanno, and his nephew, Bernie, and his wife Claire are also long-time supporters. Bernard served on the Board of Directors and is currently an Honorary Trustee. THP has benefitted greatly by being a family interest. “It takes a lot of networking to support a mission project—it helps when supporters already have a natural connection among themselves,” reports THP President Emeritus, Patrick Moynihan. “It has been a joy to work with Vin, Bernard and Bernie over the years. They have provided everything from leadership gifts to commemorative pens for our graduates.”
Vin, How did you first hear about The Haitian Project?
I learned about The Haitian Project through my old parish, St. Joseph’s in Providence, where I grew up and my children were baptized and went to Sunday school. The next person to really move me about it has been Patrick Moynihan, whose unrelenting passion for The Project and the people is beyond doubt.
As global networking for businesses becomes more important, does global networking for charities also become important?
In businesses, we really have no choice. If our customers tell us they are going to make something in China or India, and they would like us to supply parts for a nearby plant, the outcome of not going is simple. I think many well-meaning people who are not in business think that an individual company can resist globalism, but we can only do it if we are ready to go out of business.
Charities, on the other hand, should think globally but act locally. The things that people do in the vocations of caring for people should really be done one rooftop at a time, as The Haitian Project does.
With expansion comes change. However, are there any values for businesses and charities that should remain constant?
Obviously the core value of successful businesses and charities is the act of dealing with people honestly, with good or bad news, and helping to take care of the unfortunate. Our core values speak to the meaning of our lives more than our business resumes do. At Tempel, we try to do as much as we can philanthropically, but we know there are many others who do a lot more. The Tempel Smith family owners who approve donations to The Haitian Project are proud of our engagement with it.
