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Freedom Storage Center Supports Local School with $6,625 Donation

Freedom Storage Center in Caldwell recently donated $6,625 to the community’s Vision Charter School as a result of its “Donation to Education” program. Vision’s administrator, Wendy OldenKamp, says the donation will help Vision Charter School realize their dream. "We are in an active campaign to raise money for land acquisition so we can move out of the five portables that we are currently in. Our board is committed to having a permanent location identified by early this summer. The Vision Charter School community of parents, staff, and students would like to see the permanent building completed as soon as possible! The Freedom donation certainly helps us realize this dream."

Schools interested in participating in the Freedom "Donation to Education" campaign can contact Greg McVay at 853-2323 or greg@freedomstoragecenter.com.

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Freedom Storage expands in Valley

Idaho Statesman — 02/07/08

Freedom Storage Center has opened a new storage center in Caldwell, acquired an existing storage center in Boise, and plans to build another Boise center this summer.

"We pride ourselves on being ahead of the competition. We offer more value for the dollar with modern, well-equipped and clean sites, services and solutions that enhance typical storage offerings," said Stephanie Barker, site manager for the Caldwell center, which opened in December.

"What would be considered exceptional features from other providers are standard fare at Freedom, giving our customers more than they expected and more for their money," she said.

In addition to storage, the centers offer print, copy and mail services, moving supplies, Penske trucks, recycling and donation bins as well as other on-site business services.

Climate-controlled units are available for storing temperature-sensitive items such as art, antiques, wine, documents and records.

Operated by Venga Ventures, the group has storage facilities in Boise, Star, Meridian and Caldwell.

Venga Foundation, an Idaho not-for-profit corporation, was created to support the local communities where its subsidiaries (Freedom Storage Center) do business.

"Freedom Storage Center is active in the local community, supporting education and preservation of the environment," Barker said.

"We recently completed a fundraising campaign on behalf of Vision Charter School in Caldwell that raised over $6,000."

View Idaho Statesman Article

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Locking up those special items — Company seeks to offer different concept for storage

Idaho Business Review, by Gaye Bunderson — 12/24/07

In looking over the products and services businesses offer, Mark Gilbreath noticed that, increasingly, companies were attempting to take it up a notch, as the saying goes.

"Even a cup of coffee is now made with craft, care, and a bit of artisanship,” he said. It’s not like the days of stopping into the local convenience store and grabbing a Styrofoam cup of brew, he stated.

So, in forming ideas for their own enterprise, Gilbreath and his partner, Greg McVay, sought to bring that “take it up a notch” notion to their own endeavor. They decided to enter the storage building business, calling their company Freedom Storage.

Wait a minute. Storage buildings? You mean those bland, similar looking structures often behind chain link fences? How do you bring a higher level of quality to something so ordinary?

Well, leave it to the entrepreneurial mind to see a need and fill it.

“We looked at the storage industry and wanted to bring a solutions orientation,” Gilbreath said. “We realized that when people are looking into storing something, they’re undergoing a lifestyle transition.”

They’re moving, marrying, divorcing, seeking a safe place for something precious, said Gilbreath — it’s a major shift in their lives. The same is true for businesses that may be downsizing, expanding, or seeking a safe place for vital documents.

“We aspire to fully understand their situation, rather than just offer them Xamount of space for Xamount of dollars,” said Gilbreath.

Freedom Storage provides services such as trucks, boxes, and consultations on how to obtain help moving. “We’ll assess your needs and customize and make your storage space more functional, including such choices as shelving, door size, and climate control,” he said.

Along with that, each Freedom Storage site is built in a fortress-style design; offers key code access and video surveillance, as well as onsite staff who perform daily lock checks; includes 24/7 automated kiosks; provides mailing, faxing, copying, shipping, and Internet access services; and has meeting spaces for businesses.

The most recent Freedom Storage Center opened in Caldwell in May; previous sites, including one in Meridian, opened in May of 2006 and, in Star, in November of 2006.

Gilbreath’s resume includes work as a design engineer in California’s Silicon Valley, and McVay began his professional career in technology sales for Wyle Laboratories in Santa Clara. The partners bring a sense of social responsibility to their business, are involved in fundraising efforts, and are committed to green building standards.

View Idaho Business Review Article

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Going Green!
Money and the Environment Can Meet Up To Make for Smart Business

SSA Globe — August 2007

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