NEWS
Together We Can . . . Serve Our Community!
"How do you work community service into the workplace? Some folks take a sabbatical to do mission work, some write it into their marketing/business plan, some devote time to their service project(s) before or after their workday begins. How do you do it, and what is your service passion?"
PLANO, TEXAS – December 2008 – For many years STRATMARK's community service initiatives revolved around Christmas. We have sponsored "Angel Trees" (employees choose a particular child from an underprivileged family then provide a requested gift) or we have adopted indigent families and supplied them with furniture, food and necessities.
In March of 2008, STRATMARK's Service Project Committee chose a new direction…a "Food Drop" with the goal of feeding over 800 families. STRATMARK employees determined to raise $7,200 throughout the year to provide an 18-wheeler full of food and toiletries. STRATMARK's executive committee encouraged participation by announcing the company would match the $7200 making it a possibility to raise enough for two trucks!
The "Together We Can" campaign came alive as STRATMARK employees began raising funds by hosting different company-wide events. Throughout the year, employees participated in a bake sale, a spaghetti lunch, an ice cream social and gift drawing, a barbeque lunch and gift basket sale, a beach lunch and ticket raffle, a breakfast fundraiser, and a silent auction. Each event was sponsored by a different STRATMARK department. These events were not open to the public and all funds were raised internally by our 100 employees.
By the end of October our employees had exceeded their goal and raised over $10,000.00! Per their promise, STRATMARK's Executive Committee presented a company check for $7200.00 and the trucks were reserved. We partnered with Feed the Children and The Giving Movement in Plano, Texas to find qualified families. The food drop was held on December 6, 2008. Over 800 families received food and toiletry boxes. Blankets, coats and toys were also available. Over 50 STRATMARK employees volunteered to help during a six-hour period on that Saturday. Due to the excessive generosity of our employees, we also handed The Giving Movement a check in the amount of $2,678.01 to continue their charitable work.
"Together We Did" find and reach a common goal throughout 2008 at STRATMARK. The camaraderie and team building employees experienced during this event has only strengthened our resolve to continue such yearly efforts. We are anxious to see how our 2009 Service Project Committee challenges us!
