There is tremendous value in businesses creating opportunities for their employees to experience giving back together.
It’s good for the community, and it’s good for the people who make up those companies.
A shared purpose has a way of bringing people together that a shared workplace sometimes can’t.
And from where I stand, those partnerships are invaluable.
These are a few of my favorite days at FOUND.
There’s something pretty remarkable that happens when people come together to serve others…and I have the privilege of watching it happen all the time.
A group of coworkers steps away from their daily responsibilities to spend a few hours sorting clothing, organizing donations, packing supplies or helping us prepare resources for children in need… right here in our community.
While they’re making an incredible difference for the students we serve, I also enjoy observing what’s happening to the people doing the serving.
They’re laughing together.
Working toward a common goal.
Connecting in ways they might not have around a conference table or during a typical workday.
They always talk about how much better this work is than sitting at a desk.
It’s rewarding on so many levels.
They’re reminded that their time, their hands and their willingness to show up can make a real difference in someone else’s life.
So the impact goes both ways.
For the students we serve, it might mean a warm jacket, a pair of shoes that fit, or the simple dignity of having the things they need to get through their school day.
For the people giving, it’s an opportunity to gain perspective, build relationships and experience the kind of fulfillment that comes from doing something meaningful for someone else.
Every hour spent volunteering, every collection drive organized and every team that chooses to show up helps us keep FOUND equipped and ready to respond when a school reaches out with a need.
To the businesses who have made serving part of their company culture, thank you. You’re doing more than supporting a nonprofit. You’re investing in your people while making a tangible difference in the lives of children in our community.
And if your company hasn’t experienced serving together, I would love to help you change that. ✨
