Giveback--Volunteering comes in all shapes and sizes

Last summer I was introduced to Budget Buddies, a Massachusetts-based, non-profit organization focused on improving the financial literacy of low-income women in the Greater Lowell area. As part of the Kronos Giveback program, they were invited to 4 Omni to tell us their story and recruit volunteers. Because the core theme is women mentoring women, that role wasn’t available to me. But I loved the idea; it’s simple and powerful: mentoring women to help them develop financial savvy and, with it, financial independence.

Looking at their newsletter, I realized that I could offer my editing services. I emailed Anita Saville, the Executive Director, who was happy to accept my offer, but raise me one—could I write the September Sponsor Spotlight article? OK, then! She put me in touch with the principals at Circle Health (Lowell General Hospital, etc.), I interviewed them via phone, and drafted my first article (http://budgetbuddies.org/BB/sites/default/files/BBNewsletter_September_2014_email.pdf )

I just completed my second article (attached), this time a Partner Spotlight with The House of Hope, “…a temporary shelter, [that] provides advocacy and care for homeless families.”  A little research, another interview, and another draft.

So now I’m a contributing editor to the Budget Buddies newsletter, and proud of it. Volunteering comes in all shapes and sizes. Have at it!

  (Paul) Thomas Hanlon  | Education QA Specialist, Educational Services  | Kronos Incorporated

Giving Back to Soles4Souls

I recently had the privilege of chairing a shoe collection event for Soles4Souls, a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty.  The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and distributing those shoes to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. 

My drive was very successful, with the collection of over 140 pair of shoes for men, women and children.

After sorting and packaging, I personally delivered the shoes to a distribution site in Frederick, MD on Friday, Oct 31, 2014. (a six hour drive from my home)

They were grateful for the contribution and I truly hope many lives are blessed as a result.

Wanda Grimes | Services Architect | Kronos for Manufacturing

Kronos Give Back - Got Shoes?

Together with the help of Services Architects and other members of Global Services Business Development, we were able to give 19 pairs of women’s shoes along with a small cash donation to the Society of Women Who Love Shoes, a Texas-based non-profit 501 C 3 Organization.  As I’ve grown closer to the founder, I’ve learned that she truly is a beautiful person inside and out.  She is one of those selfless people who have dedicated her life to giving back and is truly passionate about her cause.  Because Dianne Samoff is so genuine, I enlisted some fellow Kronites to help in my efforts to do something special for this organization. Just prior to Kickoff I had challenged the team to pack a pair (or extra pair) of women’s shoes. While at Kickoff we collected 19 pairs of gently used shoes which were Fedex’d to my home in Texas. On behalf of Kronos, I presented these to Dianne’s husband who is also the co-founder of the organization (please see photo). They are very grateful for our contributions. 

 To learn more about the organization itself, please visit: http://www.societyofwomenwholoveshoes.org/

 Society Of Women Who Love Shoes (SWWLS)

“Healing Families of Abuse One Sole at a Time”

Sheree’ Bowen | Services Architect, Global Services Business Development | Kronos for Retail

Volunteer Day

On October 15th a group of volunteers went to a home of a recently passed elderly lady to begin cleaning out the home.  Our focus on Wednesday was to remove all food items from the home and donate them to Friends of Forgotten Children.  FOFC is a non-profit organization located in Concord, NH that is here to assist children, families and seniors experiencing hardships by helping to improve their quality of life and ensure greater stability and success.  This is achieved through providing food assistance, self-help training opportunities, clothing and holiday gift wishes.

After 6 hours we had taken out two full truckloads of food.  Unfortunately we also had to throw away 20 garbage bags of food that was either opened, spoiled or  re-wrapped.  Our next volunteer day will be going in and cleaning out the home and continuing to make donations of furniture, books and supplies to local non-profit organizations.  Unfortunately she had no family, children or siblings to take care of her home and belongings so volunteers are giving their time to assist and provide closure for her.

Katie Dowling | Employee Enablement | Kronos Incorporated

Remote Area Medical (RAM) Needs Help!

Remote Area Medical, or RAM is a volunteer organization that serves Americans to provide free quality healthcare to those in need.

The following is a little about RAM.

Our Philosophy:  We see our organization as part of a larger effort to bring together people to address healthcare issues in their community and see those communities transformed for a better and healthier future.

Our Vision:  To be the best at providing free clinic events, without discrimination, which enhance quality of life through the delivery of competent and compassionate healthcare to those who are impoverished, isolated, and underserved.

Our Mission:  To prevent pain and alleviate suffering by providing free quality healthcare to those in need.  We use our core values to drive our decision making, ensuring we make value based decisions that will protect, guard, and guide us to fulfill our mission.

Compassion: We are driven by compassion for our Community of Need: those people in need of healthcare, but who can't afford it. The Community of Need moves us to act in bold, courageous, and selfless ways to address suffering. We desire to dedicate our lives to bring about true transformation in our community and world. A healthy sense of urgency helps us stay our course as we reach out to those in pain and in need of our help.

Check out www.ramusa.org and

Sign up to volunteer!  There may be a clinic near you!

The clinics are typically over a weekend, with one day setting up mini-clinics and two days of services.  The hours are long and the need is great.  And very rewarding…Our first clinic was in East St. Louis in May of this year, and the second was in Lee County, VA, and the next clinic is in late October in Morehead, KY.  If you are interested, there are several news stories on the web, 20/20, 60 minutes, Daily Show, etc etc, and the ramusa.org has several pictures and videos.  Take 5 minutes and see what it’s all aboutJ. 

Thank you Kronos for allowing me to Give Back!

Dental Clinic in Lee County.

 Phyllis Webb, Presales Consultant

KC Pet Project

I’ve been volunteering my time with the KC Pet Project.  The purpose of the Kansas City Pet Project is to facilitate the placement of homeless pets into suitable homes; to establish and maintain an animal shelter for Kansas City, MO; to maintain associated procedures which promote: the health and welfare of pets in our care, prevention of unplanned litters, pet retention and reunification of lost pets to their owners; to increase public safety by addressing issues related to irresponsible pet owners and dangerous animals. We are keenly focused on optimal lifesaving and creating a No Kill Community in the Kansas City Metro.

To end the killing of healthy and treatable pets in Kansas City, Missouri by using the most progressive and lifesaving programs and promoting effective animal control policies.

My time is spent walking dogs, assisting with taking pictures of the new animals to put on the web site, volunteering at off-site awareness and adoption events, and helping visitors select pets that fit their lifestyle.  It gives me great pleasure to work with a community of volunteers with a common cause.   You can view what we do at http://kcpetproject.org

Brian Lueken

Presales Director, Retail and Hospitality

Side by Side in Service Day in Georgia

This year for my volunteer day I participated in the Side by Side in Service ministry day (July 2014) here in Lumpkin county, Georgia.

This day of service helps local residents who otherwise could not help themselves due to financial hardship. Side by Side in Service volunteers do all sorts of home repairs and yard cleanup for residents of Lumpkin County. This year me and my team installed a new roof on a mobile home for an elderly widow.

I participate in this event every year because I love to give back and help those close to home who are in desperate need.  

Chris Dunn | User Adoption Consultant | Kronos Incorporated


 

Giveback Event at Sunny Meadow Farms in Chelmsford

The Giveback Team once again connected with the Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship and completed projects at Sunny Meadow Farm to help keep their initiatives moving. The Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship is an independent group of volunteers working with the Chelmsford Town Manager and Board of Selectmen. It was established in November 2005 by residents who enjoy hiking, being productive and doing things outdoors. The town of Chelmsford purchased Sunny Meadow Farm in 2008, and established it as a public open space and an educational community resource. It's a beautiful, rolling piece of land where town residents can rent plots for growing flowers and vegetables. Many thousands of pounds of vegetables are donated from these gardens to Chelmsford's Food Pantry each year.

Like any open space, it takes the work of many volunteers to keep it in good working order. On our work day, we constructed and painted fences, hung doors on the greenhouse and put up strapping on the greenhouse to secure the heavy plastic that covers it.  It was an enjoyable day and we had plenty to show for it. Participating in the event were Alicia Alcaino, Susan Charest ,Eileen Cushing Craig, Deron Dorna, Terri Healey, intern Zach Strohmeyer, Roger Tremblay and our mascot, Jerry the dog. Everybody did a great job pitching in and getting it done. Eileen added power mitre saw to her construction resume as an added bonus. As usual the team completed more than expected and are always welcome back.

 Roger Tremblay | Enablement Program Manager | Kronos Incorporated 

Gingerbread House Making Contest

More than 20 Kronites participated in a Gingerbread House making contest back in December!  Each team of 2 or 3 people were provided a gingerbread house, frosting and some basic decorating items.  Many teams brought in their own supplies as the teams competed to win the “best gingerbread house”.  The decision for the best house was determined by representatives from UTEC – The United Teen Equality Center in Lowell.  UTEC is a nationally recognized agency and their mission and promise is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disconnected youth to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success.  They serve the most vulnerable youths in the Lawrence & Lowell area.

 The UTEC Representatives awarded first place to the Barb Vlacich, Beth Russo & Trisha Cullen team.  It was a tough competition with the Marketing Team coming in a close second!  All gingerbread houses were donated to UTEC for the teens to enjoy! 

Building Bikes for Kids with Community Partners of Dallas

Community Partners of Dallas is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring safety and restoring dignity and hope to abused and neglected children by providing resources and support to the caseworkers of Dallas County Child Protective Services.

Kronos employees, partners, and customers in conjunction with The Container Store donated and built bicycles for Community Partners to give away as Christmas presents.  Bikes are the things that get asked for most by the children they help.  We did this in conjunction with a Retail Executive Summit in Dallas, and everyone was happy to help this organization.  As you can see, we had some fun with it.  One of the themes of the summit was Conscious Capitalism.  The Container Store is active in many charity organizations and also encourage their employees to give back to their communities.