A Great Season of Giving
We are continually amazed at the dedication our Carrington Associates give to charitable initiatives, and events during December were no exception. Many of you gave so generously to organizations in desperate need of help during the holiday season, and we’d like to share some of these stories of giving.
Our Jacksonville, Florida, Associates (pictured above) volunteered their time to Operation Homefront Holiday Meals for the Military. The organization was created to help support military families by giving them healthy food for traditional holiday meals with added support from companies such as Wal-Mart, Beam Suntory, CDW and more. Jacksonville RSC Manager Chris Austin – a Veteran himself – helped organize the event.
Participating Associates helped fill bags for each of the families, who were then invited to the Jacksonville office to collect their groceries. Associates distributed the bags and delighted in surprising the kids with a visit from Santa Claus!
“We really enjoyed seeing the faces of the parents and children; and events like this also enrich our own lives,” said Sandra Smith, Receptionist in Retail RSC Ops. Jawana Thomas, Director, Operations, MLD, Retail, participated as well and said, “It is indeed an honor to work with such an amazing group of caring individuals.” The number of Associates who participated was astounding, and took the event to another level.
Associates at our Houston, Texas, office participated in our annual Toys for Tots drive, and were very proud to share the news of the fruits of their donations. Collectively, the office donated more than 60 toys, including two bicycles. Ally McElya, Manager, Regional Sales Center, Inside, RSC Houston Retail, said the reaction they received when they delivered the toys was incredibly moving.
“The ladies who were working at the drop off location were in tears,” she said. “They said they hadn’t received such a large drop off this year and were very touched. Overall, the office really got into it. Russell Cox purchased two bicycles, which was very sweet and touching.” Ally also said the entire office was in the spirit of giving back, even participating in a Christmas bake-off and wearing their favorite Christmas sweaters.
The Murrieta, California, office also participated in Toys for Tots, filling a large box with more than 30 toys for children in need. Wendy Grant, Murrieta’s Office Manager, said every Associate was excited to be a part of the initiative.
“The office loves the Toys for Tots drive! We were able to announce that we were an official Toys for Tots drop off site at the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce and local networking organizations,” she shared. “Members from the Chamber were excited and stopped by to drop off toys – one even posted on Facebook when she dropped off her toy.”
Associates in Las Vegas, Nevada, took their toy donations to the next level, sharing them with the Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation and Sunrise Children’s Hospital.
“We delivered about 200 toys, totaling $1,000,” said Area Manager Shane Hill. “We donated mostly games and educational toys. We did this in lieu of having a Christmas office party.”
Offices in Plano, Jacksonville, Westfield and Windsor also did exceptionally well in their toy drives. We’re so pleased that everyone went above and beyond to help so many children and families enjoy the holiday season!
As we enter into 2017, we want to thank all of the Associates who helped make December such an incredible month of giving. Your efforts are greatly appreciated, and it means so much to us that you’re so generous of heart. We look forward to seeing your amazing charitable and volunteer efforts throughout the new year!
Houston Associates pictured from left: Michael Nguyen (hiding), Angela Little, Cedric Wynn, Tiffanie Shanklin, Alma Gandara, Ally McElya, Jennifer Ronan, Paul Cain (front), Russell Cox, Oliver de Boer, Oliver’s shirt, Brandon Foster, Summer Moore, Kevin Stack and Thalia Bonner.
Associates in Las Vegas, Nevada, spent their Christmas office party money on toy donations for the Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation and Sunrise Children’s Hospital.