Community Support in 2020
As 2020 comes to a close, we’re struck by the considerable need created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over the course of this last year, our team had the opportunity to support many wonderful community organizations. Below are just some of the ways we got involved. If you’re looking for ways to help families struggling with hunger, communities trying to overcome resource hurdles in education, or want to send well wishes to service men and women across the globe, please consider some of these fine organizations as options.
First Book
The global Covid-19 pandemic has cost many within our larger community their lives and livelihoods and has slowed the progress made nationwide on issues of poverty and childhood education. That is why we’re proud to support organizations like First Book that seek to address gaps in resources in the areas of literacy.
First Book is an organization that believes that education is the best way out of poverty. Their primary aim is to service kids in need. First Book networks together with educators to make educational resources affordable and accessible to programs and schools serving children in low-income communities across the country and beyond.
Each year, as part of sending holiday well wishes to our clients, appreciated vendors, and industry contacts, we have committed to an annual donation to a charity addressing one need that presented itself over the course of the year. This year, we decided to support First Book, and we invite anyone with a heart for reducing the resource burden in education to consider lending your support by sending a donation here.
Our Father’s House Family Services & Rachel’s Table
It’s no secret that Covid-19 has seriously impacted our way of life since it entered the world stage, but the most pressing need has been been the increase in food scarcity in our communities. To help combat this, Pinnacle looked for two local organizations doing this work. We chose Our Father’s House in Pompano Beach, FL and Rachel’s Table in Springfield, MA. Both are food pantries that provide meals to residents in our office’s communities.
In order to raise money for these food pantries, early in the pandemic, we decided to combine hygiene awareness, raising money, and some good fun with our “Don’t-Touch-Your-Face Challenge.”
To help raise money and to boost awareness around Covid-19 and how it spreads, Pinnacle’s team challenged team members to not get caught touching your face during those frequent and long-running Zoom and Teams meetings. Every time a member of the management team was caught, those who participated kicked in some money.
Not only was it good fun for employees to be able to hold our managers accountable to good pandemic hygiene, but we were also able to support a great cause!
You can learn more about the work these organizations do and send any donations by visiting My Father’s House or Rachel’s Table Springfield.
Feeding America
Also addressing food scarcity, Feeding America works to to gather nourishing food from farmers, manufacturers, and retailers to provide to people in need before it goes to waste.
Their focus is to provide food today and food security for tomorrow by finding ways to change the food system to make it more sustainable and more widely available. Feeding America reports that “Due to the coronavirus pandemic, 50 million people may face hunger in the U.S. during 2020 — including more than 17 million children. Hunger knows no boundaries — it touches every community in the U.S., including your own.”
To support the cause, Pinnacle decided it would tie a donation to Feeding America to the results of the Humana’s National Step Challenge taking place from October to November. Over half the company challenged themselves to go even farther as they knew it was for a good cause.
Pinnacle employees enjoyed taking literal action steps to make a difference and to promote awareness of food scarcity needs in the U.S.. The added benefit? Our team (many of which who were still working from home) reported that it also helped them get in some much needed exercise.
You can learn more about their mission and fight to end hunger here.
Holidays for Heroes
This past November, Pinnacle partnered with the American Red Cross to send well wishes and encouragement to service men and women who are away from their families during the Holiday Season.
Called Holidays for Heroes, our Pinnacle Community enjoyed sitting down to share how grateful we are for the sacrifices made by those in uniform.
Many in our own Pinnacle Community have family members who are currently deployed and actively serving as well as family members who have served in past years. The idea is to help spread Holiday Cheer to our troops who are far from home and to Veterans who find themselves in hospitals and nursing homes separated from loved ones, in many cases not being allowed an in-person visit. We know from experience that everyone involved in the sharing of gratitude and support benefits --both the giver and the receiver.
Due to COVID restrictions we participated in this activity “together – remotely”. Our employees were provided cards and stamps and were encouraged to send messages of gratitude and support to our troops and veterans. These cards were then mailed directly to our local Red Cross office.
Next year, we encourage anyone looking for an activity they can share with friends and family to consider participating in sending our troops wishes for safety and joy during the holiday season. You can find more information by clicking here.
Why Me? Sherry's House
Why Me? Sherry's House is a non-profit organization created to help local families cope with childhood cancer. Created and run in part by parents that lived this experience first-hand, the dedicated staff and volunteers understand what families with a pediatric cancer patient need and are passionate about services provided. Sherry’s House is home to a variety of services to support families, including no-cost lodging to families while their child in on active treatment in a New England area hospital and support groups, a food pantry, and social events for the children and their families.
The financial hardship and emotional weight brought by a juvenile cancer diagnosis makes celebrating the holidays both challenging and incredibly important as families look to create cherished memories and find the strength to continue the fight. Pinnacle has supporting Why Me? Sherry's House for several years in their mission to help bring joy to families during an unimaginably difficult time.
Each year, we participate in making the holidays special for one family by purchasing toys, clothings, and other gifts. We are so honored to be able to create special moments and smiles.
If you too feel inclined, you can learn more about the mission and services of Why Me? Sherry's House and send a donation here.
We are proud to support these organizations over the last year. No year has left as many people lacking as this year and, at times, the need in our communities can be overwhelming. In times like these we remind ourselves, however, that the load is the lightest when we all come together to carry it. Though combined efforts, we’re able to provide for those in need and the impact it makes in their lives is immeasurable.
Leave us a note as we’re sure to be interested in the organizations that inspire you! Until then, we wish you and your family a holiday season filled with peace, wellness, and unity.