Giving Gratitude to our Non-Profit Partners

We are grateful to partner with amazing non-profit organizations, enabling us to help meet the needs of those most vulnerable. While this is the time of year to count our blessings of health, family, and friends, I want to take the time to thank those who serve our communities each and every day. Because of these non-profits, there are more people with a warm place to call home, a good meal on the table, and a safe place for children to play and create.

 This past year, our team participated in a number of volunteer events with several local non-profit organizations. These included building and restoring homes with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, CA and Suffolk County, NY, and participating in initiatives with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and the Children’s Bureau. I’d like to share more about the good work of these organizations.

 Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

 Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is nearing its fifth year. We are proud to support its mission, which is to ensure that everyone has an affordable home – the bedrock of the American dream.

This international organization, with chapters in nearly every major city, has provided safe and sustainable homes to more than 29 million people. Our #BeBetter teams in Orange County, CA and Suffolk County, NY, have participated in over ten Habitat for Humanity Build events where homes are built by a team of Habitat experts alongside local volunteers and potential homeowners.

This year our #BeBetter team also participated the “Building Tomorrow 2019” contest, which brought together community organizations at City National Grove of Anaheim to build custom-designed playhouses for local children.                                                    

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

Our partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County has enabled our team to see firsthand the needs of our neighbors who are struggling with food insecurity. This new awareness has taught them a lesson in gratitude that could not otherwise have been learned without looking into the eyes of families with children whose next meal is not guaranteed.

Since 1983, Second Harvest has collected nearly a half million pounds of food through donations, grants, fundraising, food drives, food rescues, and harvesting. In Orange County, California, over 25 million meals have been served to local families. Their bold 2021 goal is to serve 30 million meals as they forge ahead to ensure that anyone who is hungry can have easy access to healthy food.

In a recent “Adopt a Pantry” event, our team unloaded and organized 7,655 pounds of food, which helped to feed 141 adults, 39 senior citizens, and 111 children. Our efforts with this much-needed organization will continue to expand and our team is excited to do even more to help them meet their mission.

Children’s Bureau in Orange County

The Children’s Bureau, founded by Mrs. E.K. Foster, a Los Angeles community leader who was moved by the plight of vulnerable children, was launched due to her desire to advocate for children’s rights. This critical organization, in operation for more than 100 years, is committed to “protecting vulnerable children through prevention, treatment, and advocacy.”

Their programming includes prevention of child abuse, mental health treatment, and training for other like-minded community programs. They reach 40,000 children and parents each year and, while they serve children from birth through the age of 18, their focus is on birth through five.

Through The Children’s Bureau, several #BeBetter team members assisted in the construction of a playground at The Oak View Family Resource Center. Working alongside hundreds of volunteers, a fully functional playground was built in one day to the surprise of the children and families alike!

I’m continually amazed at how much can be accomplished when people join together for a common cause that they are passionate about. Additionally, I’m awestruck at the comments I hear from my team after a day of giving back. Each walks away with a feeling of pride and a renewed sense of gratitude.

While it is typical to be on the receiving side of thanks and appreciation from our non-profit partners, I would like to take this opportunity to share my and my team’s gratitude to them for the impact they are having on people’s lives and for the opportunity to work alongside these valuable organizations. Which non-profit partners will you thank today?