At JKS, we see our business as part of our community. Many of the people we interact with at work – fellow employees, customers, vendors – are people we see out and about. It may be different when your business is based in New York or Los Angeles, but when your location is a largely rural, small town area, you realize how interconnected everyone is and how important it is to have community support. You also realize how important it is to give something back to that community.
Each year at Christmas, we give back by “adopting” a local family in need. Working with Davidson County’s Family Services department and local schools, we find a family to support over the holidays. Families who qualify for the program give local agencies a “wish” list of items needed. In turn, our employees purchase the items on the list. The gifts are wrapped and collected under the big tree in our lobby. Watching the gifts accumulate day after day really brings the holiday spirit to our office, and helps us all realize how fortunate we are to be in a position to help those in need.
On the appointed day, a team of JKS employees take the gifts to the home of our “adopted” family. One of our employees even has his own Santa suit (complete with beard), so the kids get their gifts directly from St. Nick himself. Pictures from past years are below.
We’ve been doing this for a long time, starting the tradition in Forsyth County when our business was there, and now in Davidson County for the past 10 years, so we have seen a lot of smiling faces and happy kids over the years. It’s one of the most gratifying things we do. It makes us all feel good because we know it makes a real difference.
Whether you’re in a big city or a small town, never forget that your company is part of your community, and there’s always a way to give back. It’s a great way to thank your customers and friends in the community for their support. And trust me, it will make you feel pretty good, too.