Andrea Galabinski Allegra Print & Imaging staff at the North Fort Myers office. Seated are owners Bruce and Darlene Vanderveen, with J.T. Fryer, Brian Harry, Dirk Smith and Chuck Durpre.

While many nonprofit companies are seeking donations more than ever in this economy, Allegra Print & Imaging of North Fort Myers is providing a unique program that will contribute to their work.

The company is now taking applications for the FootPRINT Fund for Nonprofit Friends, to award up to $1,000 worth of printing services to a Lee County nonprofit agency.

“We want to let area nonprofits know that we can help them with fund-raising event support, donor direct mail programs and volunteer appreciation programs,” said owner Darlene Vanderveen. “We understand how difficult these things are for those organizations in this economy. The work they do in our community is so valuable, and we need to make sure they remain viable.”

Husband and fellow business owner Bruce Vanderveen also believes it is a great fund, to help these companies enhance their images, expand their services and extend their printing budgets.

Services could include graphic design, printing, copying and bindery.

All awarded services will need to be used Oct. 1, 2009, through Oct. 1, 2010.

The couple is accepting applications now for selection.

“We’ve done a mailing to some nonprofits, but if you know of one, suggest they come in and get an application,” he said.

Applicants can be any nonprofit in Lee County.

Applications will be reviewed by a special committee they are setting up, made up of local business leaders. The application deadline is Aug. 15 and the award recipient will be notified by Sept. 15.

The North Fort Myers Allegra location has garnished numerous awards, both through its parent franchise company and has been the consistent winner go the North Fort Myers Neighbor Reader’s Poll as “Best Of North Fort Myers.”

It’s been in business here for almost 20 years.

The business features traditional and advanced printing technologies, including full-color printing, graphic design services, short-run digital printing, color and high-speed copying, posters and banners and more.

The Allegra Network is one of the world’s largest print and graphic communications franchises with more than 600 locations in North America and the United Kingdom.

It is currently doing its annual “Apple Pie” give-away, a fee pie with certain purchases. “That’s on until July 31, we call it the Pie In July sale. They are fantastic – customers really look forward to it, we’ve been doing it for ten years,” said Bruce.

Allegra Print & Imaging of North Fort Myers is located at 4621 Bayshore Road, and the phone number is 656-3555.