While giving back may be an occasional decision for some, for Turlock resident Jodi Karambela it is part of her life.

This year, the American Red Cross Gold Country Region recognized Karambela and her firm Integral Investment Advisors Inc., with one of the most prestigious awards the 135 year organization has given to corporate partners locally — the Joyce Raley Teel Humanitarian Philanthropy Award. This award has been given annually since 2006 to individuals, businesses, churches, schools or organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in gifting to help locals who benefit from Red Cross services and programs.

"In 2012, Integral Investment Advisors Inc. was among the first to step in and sponsor our inaugural 9/11 Memorial Golf tournament," said Red Cross Board Philanthropy Chair Duffy Segale. "In 2013, they increased their sponsorship, doubled it in 2014 and again increased it in 2015.”

In her leadership role, Karambela is also the catalyst for the company's strong philanthropic commitments. In addition to supporting the Red Cross, Karambela is President of the board of directors of the Great Valley Museum and is very involved in the Winter Skiing Program for the Society for Handicapped Children and Adults.

 “What comes around turns around,” said Karambela. “I strongly believe that giving back and ‘doing good where you are’ can help your bottom line as well as help your community, so it’s a win-win.

"While it is an honor to be recognized this way, more important to me is the work that Red Cross volunteers do every day," said Karambela. "Every 11 hours they provide assistance to people who lose everything, most often in a home fire. Stanislaus County has a very high number of home fires compared to other counties in the Region, so it's very gratifying to me that our company can help our neighbors in time of great loss."