As a child I was always “volunteered” for community activities. My parents explained to me that as part of the family & the community, I should be part of the programs that are at the heart of the community. From the church to school programs we were there. We picked up newspapers to recycle and carried bags of fertilizer. In my teens I became a candy stripe gal in an assisted living community, applying my music skills to harvest moon, my artistic skills to painting with residents and my “soft skills” to listening to the stories these wonderful residents wanted to share. Somewhere along the journey, I realized my heart was full when I gave back to others, becoming a lifelong volunteer.
What draws me into service?
Camaraderie-let’s face it, owning and growing a business does not leave a lot of time for a social life!
Leadership development- learning by example and applying best practices, while discovering what paths I’d prefer not to take.
Heart- While I am quick with a joke, it’s usually to mask the fact that I still cry when the others are mean to Charlie Brown.
Impact- its true big things happen when small acts of kindness and collective efforts are combined.
Attitude- folks that volunteer are generally happy, optimistic people and the community can always use more positive energy.
Beside service to many local organizations, we have donated to and sponsored many community projects.
While our investments vary from year to year. We have a core group of programs or charities that touch us personally. Typically our dollars are tied to programs that related to education, youth or community events.
Looking back at our local invests from 2019 included numerous organizations. Many of these groups we have been investing in for years!
Apex Chamber Peak Performer- Bronze level, Apex Cougar Club-Pride level, Apex Music Festival, Apex Chamber Candidates’ Forum, Apex Chamber Savor Apex, Apex Public School Foundation, Apex Police- Day Behind Bars for Special Olympics, Apex Farmer’s Market, Fuquay-Varina Chamber Women’s Summit, Fuquay-Varina Women's Club Auction, The Annual Halle Tree & Wreath Show, HopeLine Gala, Kraft YMCA We Build People, Life Experiences Auction, National Fire Safety Council, Oxford Hunt Swim Team, St Jude, WakeMed Gala, WCPSS Leadership Conference and Western Wake Women's Club.
Since 2007 we have donated or sponsored numerous organization, many for several years, this list includes:
Apex Chamber Bookbag Bonanza, Apex Chamber Golf Tournament, Apex Chamber Teacher of Year Banquet, Apex Police Christmas with Cop, Apex Police Department Golf Tournament, Apex Jazz Festival, Apex Elementary School, Apex Latino Festival, Apex High School AOIT Program, Apex Rotary Club, American Marketing Association, Blue Lights College Golf Tournament, Friends of Cary Elementary, Fuquay-Varina Awards Banquet, Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, Holly Springs Police Torch Run, Lufkin Road MS Booster Club, Methodist University Athletic Golf Tournament, Moncure School Race, MPS Society, Ogden Elite Football, Peak City Gala of Hope, Pretty in Pink-DECA, Peak Lab Rescue, Safe Kids Wake County, Triangle Flight of Honor, Triangle Flight Basketball Service Project, Triangle Women's Power Lunch, West Raleigh Baseball, Wake Christian Academy Yearbook, Western Wake Crisis Ministry Golf Tournament
After-all, Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Giving inspires others to think about kindness and more than one's self, it helps us connect to those around us.