How long have you been a United Way giver?
I have given to United Way for as long as I have worked at Bobrick, which has been over 10 years now! I made contributions to United Way at previous jobs and have always been aware of who to financially support through them. Our owners are very involved in United Way, and our CEO previously served as president of United Way for Greater Los Angeles. They have always believed in United Way - what it does for givers and receivers - and they in turn have led us to believe the same.
Why do you give to United Way?
We, as a company, are committed to being there for our community - for our people and for where we live and work. There is just something about giving. In the times that we live in, acts of kindness and good will in general are sometimes met with surprise since people are always not expecting it! So, I give because I feel that is my responsibility and because people are not expecting it. The gift is not just for the person receiving the gift, but for the giver as well. We feel that if we have been blessed to work with such a wonderful company, we owe it to our community to support those who are struggling. They did not choose to be where they are in life, but we have a commitment to do everything in our power to be supportive - to support United Way and their partner agencies.
Why do you believe in United Way?
I believe in United Way because I have witnessed the generosity that United Way’s partner agencies have shown to our employees and their families in times of need. Thankfully, I have been very blessed, but I know anything can happen at any time. Like I mentioned earlier, the gift of giving is also for the giver. Giving opens my heart and has taught me how to be a kinder person; I think the world needs more kindness. I know through United Way we can show kindness to a greater amount of people through their partner agencies and resources. When you start giving, you begin to understand that it does not matter what your race or gender is, where you came from or where you are going. We are all people. If you take a moment to talk to someone and be nice, it can change your life as well.
How has partnering with United Way strengthened your company/community?
There is a sense of pride in our abilities to help and bless others. We are very fortunate to work in Jackson and West Tennessee and we feel like that can only happen with a very intelligent, well educated, and strong workforce. We depend on the agencies and United Way to provide us remind us of why we are here and to equip us with the resources needed to continually help others in our community.
What would you say to any company/organization who is wanting to make a difference in their community?
I would highly recommend it because I feel we have a responsibility to give back to our communities. As a big manufacturing company with many employees, we realize we are only as good as the people we employ, or the people we live and do life with. When they succeed, we succeed. So, pouring into them also strengthens us. We told the story from the book of Matthew chapter 25 at a recent rally where the 40th verse says, “the king will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” We took that as a personal challenge and motto because it reminds us that it matters how you treat every person you meet. We feel our donations to United Way are a great way to give back and treat others with kindness.
