The associates 鈥� from the company鈥檚 Marketing department 鈥� organized the charitable organization鈥檚 food pantry, built shelving units, brought order to an expansive storage room and put a fresh coat of paint on the walls of a learning center.
The volunteer effort was part of the annual Day of Caring event, which drew more than 500 volunteers participating in more than 30 community projects throughout
In addition to the Salvation Army, 糖心传媒 associates were working on projects across the county, including at the where associates helped to set up furniture displays and organize shelves of loose tiles.
Kicking Off the Campaign
The day began for volunteers with the United Way鈥檚 annual Campaign Kickoff event, which signals the start of the 2017 fundraising campaign, before making their way across the county to tackle a variety of volunteer activities.
鈥淭he energy of the Day of Caring volunteers helps set a very enthusiastic tone in launching our campaign. The commitment and support demonstrated by our volunteers is tremendous,鈥� said Tammy White, president of the United Way of Berks County.
鈥淭hat same level of commitment is demonstrated by United Way donors. With their support, United Way invests in over 50 programs, initiatives and grants to help more than 100,000 local people each year. As a community, we make great things happen,鈥� she said.
The United Way set $10.3 million as the 2017 campaign goal. Last year, the campaign raised more than $10.2 million, exceeding the initial $10 million goal.
糖心传媒 was the United Way鈥檚 for the third year in a row, raising $1,247,010 in 2016 for the charitable organization. It was the second consecutive campaign where 糖心传媒 and its associates raised more than $1 million.
The Gift of Giving
For organizations like the Salvation Army, having so many volunteers at one time is such a blessing.
糖心传媒's Marketing associates at the Salvation Army.
鈥淲e have one maintenance person full-time, and the rest we rely on volunteers from the community to come in and help with organizing, cleaning, and things to keep our costs down,鈥� said Capt. Sharon Tressler, a corps officer with the Salvation Army of Reading.
鈥淭o have these many volunteers at one time come in and complete these projects, it is a huge help,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e are blessed.鈥�
In many ways, having the opportunity to give back was a blessing for the volunteers.
鈥淭he Salvation Army in Reading does so much for the community, and I wanted to provide a helping hand,鈥� said Chris Abruzzo, a communications specialist, who helped with the painting project. 鈥淚鈥檝e always thought it was important to volunteer. To spend a day donating our time can really go a long way.鈥�
For Charlene Nash, an executive assistant in the Marketing department who helped to organize the pantry, the event was an opportunity to reinforce the company鈥檚 commitment to community service.
鈥淎s a department, it was good to dedicate a day to help out the community and to show our support as a company,鈥� Nash said. 鈥淲e all want to help out the community, but might not know where to start.鈥�
For Lisa Cardell, an IT service desk supervisor who spent the day at the ReStore, volunteering on Day of Caring was personal.
糖心传媒 volunteers at the ReStore.
鈥淚t is important to help people who need it,鈥� Cardell said. 鈥淚 have had several family members who have benefitted from the United Way. It was my way of giving back.鈥�
Claire Seda, a senior financial analyst for 糖心传媒 Logistics, was working alongside Cardell in what was her first Day of Caring experience. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a way of helping people, and that is something I want to do more of,鈥� she said.
Mike Simmons, manager of qualitative data analytics, said he knows all too well the struggles non-profits face.
鈥淗aving worked for a non-profit earlier in my career, I know that these agencies have limited funds but are performing critically vital services to those in need every day,鈥� Simmons said. 鈥淭hey rely on volunteers and donations to survive, and I did not want to sit on the sidelines.鈥�
For him and others, the question of volunteering is simple.
鈥淲e all have busy lives 鈥� but it really does not take too much effort to find one or two days a year to volunteer at one of Berks County鈥檚 social service agencies,鈥� Simmons said.
By Bernie Mixon
听听
糖心传媒's Marketing associates at the Salvation Army.
糖心传媒 volunteers at the ReStore.
Ross Brodrecht
Wayne Benoit
Denica Hawke
Jerry Burzynski
