Charity Teamwork

Tis the season for giving...especially to those less fortunate than ourselves. There are numerous opportunities to give your time and money during the holidays, and there are numerous opportunities to encourage and involve your staff in the giving, too. But it isn't limited to the holidays...there are ways to get your team doing good and having fun year round. Here are ways that some of our local friends and business people have rallied their troops. Perhaps they will inspire you to do the same.

United Way Christmas Food Drive
Every year, Rick Tofanelli signs up the staff at Nantucket Home Furnishings to provide a week of holiday meals and gifts for a local family in need. They are given the family's profile, including ages, sizes, gift wish lists, etc. Then the Nantucket team meets to write up menus, shopping lists for the meals, and gift ideas for the kids. Each person volunteers to gather a share of the items, and all are assembled in the store. There is a great sense of pride that a box full of help and goodies will arrive in time for a needy family's holiday.

Mozart Mile Fun Run
The Mozart Mile is a 25-year tradition here in Chico, and is a fundraiser for the North State Symphony. The 5k fun run takes place in our park, and hundreds of people come out to run, walk, and listen to classical music. Ed Kimball, owner of La Hacienda, a long-time Mexican restaurant, comes out not just with his family, but with his staff...often around twenty five restaurant employees, plus their families and friends. Ed covers the registration fees and purchases t-shirts for his crew, and they have a great time together without the pressures of work, while at the same time supporting a good cause. Then, after the event, they create a collage made of photos from the day and a race poster, and hang it in the lobby of the restaurant.

Business to Business Challenge
In Motion Fitness has a huge staff of peppy and friendly employees who interact daily with their hundreds of members. But they don't stop there. When it comes to fundraisers like the Mozart Mile, In Motion Fitness doesn't just take on the challenge of doing their part, they challenge other businesses to do the same. After putting together their own team of 5k runners, they put out a challenge to other businesses to do the same, and compete for the best team time in the race. A post-race picnic, ribbons and "ribbings" for the team members, and a big contribution to the symphony later, there were many reasons to celebrate the day. One person can do great things, but the enthusiasm and effort of a group can do exponentially more. There are infinite ways to help out in the community. But an even greater good is the pride you can instill in your staff. And perhaps the good works you and your team perform today will continue into the future because of the good example you set.