California Giant Berry Farms has raised a record near-US$5000 for local community members in need as part of the company’s charity drive, according to a press release.
The group’s corporate offices become Santa’s Workshop every December providing support to the many community charities helping those in need during the holidays.
The tradition of giving to these charities for Christmas is in its eighth year at the company as employees made the decision years ago to give back to the community rather than have a staff gift exchange.
Each year the staff holds fundraisers in the office and collects cash donations to meet their fundraising goal to adopt local families, help seniors in need and support toys for tots.
This year staff said they were overwhelmed with support resulting in a long list of local charities that benefited.
The company adopted eight local families, delivered a fire truck-load of toys to the Watsonville Fire Department for Toys-for-Tots, compiled hundreds of items for seniors in need, donated to Loaves and Fishes, and adopted a children’s family services center in Gilroy.
The staff meets in November to set a fundraising goal and lists the groups they want to support, always focusing on local families with children in need.
“It is important to us that each child we help will have a gift with their name on it to open on Christmas morning,” said Claudia Marshall, Cal Giant’s human resources manager.
“Everyone at the company gets involved in this holiday event by either collecting funds, shopping for gifts for each of the family members adopted, or wrapping the presents that are ultimately delivered.”
“There is genuine excitement in the office as items are purchased and compiled for these families because we know we are helping our community. This is a campaign that we all can relate to knowing we are helping our neighbors right here in town”, says Bill Moncovich, president of Cal Giant.
Later, the staff made their deliveries to Santa Cruz/Watsonville Volunteer Center, Pajaro Valley Women’s Shelter, Jacob’s Heart and Aptos Adopt a Family.
Following the gift deliveries they met at the local Nob Hill/Raley’s store to shop for groceries that will be donated to the “Share your Holiday” event benefit The Salvation Army.
Cal Giant said it is proud to support these organizations and focus on giving during this season since “so many are in need due to the difficult economic times facing every community”.?
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