Spirit of Giving Challenge Finalists - WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
It warmed our hearts to see the great stories submitted for our Spirit of Giving Challenge, and the outpouring of generosity to so many of our agents' local communities.
After 633 votes were cast our winners are:
1st Place (156 Votes): $500 Donation to Cleveland Food Shelf
When you enter a classroom and a 6-year old asks if you are the person helping to feed hungry children, and offers “If they are still hungry, I can bring more,” you’ve successfully communicated the message about the needs in the community…and tapped into the ‘spirit of giving.’ Community Insurance, Inc. and HomeTown Bank in Cleveland, MN partnered with the Cleveland School (K-12) and area businesses to sponsor a food drive for the Cleveland Community Food Shelf. To manage several van-loads of donations, the student council and junior high football team did the heavy lifting, transporting, and stocking of shelves. (Submitted by Doug Schweim)
2nd Place (111 Votes): $300 Donation to Janis Manolis Family Safe Center
For the month of December the ATI Agency Challenge is “The Spirit of Giving”! Each day we have an item from our “reverse advent calendar” of items to bring to the office and set underneath the Christmas Tree. (We have two more full weeks to collect more items!) We will be donating the items to the Jan Manolis Family Safe Center. The Jan Manolis Family Safe Center provides a safe and comfortable environment to victims of domestic abuse. They offer shelter and service for the victims to build self-esteem and confidence. (Submitted by Jessica Hotchkiss)
3rd Place (89 Votes): $200 Donation to St. Francis House
At Wollman Insurance Group, we are very active in Supporting a Local Homeless Shelter, The St Francis House. Every Year we have a Gloves, Hats, Mittens, and socks drive. Last year we gave over 100 pairs of each for them to distribute to visitors and guests. Each year we sponsor a Homeless Family for Christmas. We collect donations of Food, Clothing, Money, and Special items in time of need from our clients. This year one of our Companies, Auto Owners Donated $2,500 on behalf of our Agency to the Ft Francis House. We are truly Blessed to be able to share our many Blessings with those in need in Sioux Falls SD. (Submitted by Tom Wingert)
ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
Dan Ness's Farmers Union Insurance Agency in Devils Lake, ND, held a fundraiser for the Devils Lake food pantry by having a photo booth downtown Devils Lake. Fun was had by families and children with all the costumes we had available. We donated $1,000 for our local food pantry, The Hope Center. (Submitted by Dan Ness)
HUB International Mountain States is preparing 25 back packs filled with the following items: Socks, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Winter Hat, Gloves/ Mittens, Lotion, Hair care item, Washcloth/wipes, Chap Stick, Snack item, Kids craft item, Puzzle or book, Soap/Hand sanitizer, First Aid Kit items, Scarves, Blanket/sleeping Bag. These items will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Great Falls. We are “Keeping our Children protected and Warm! (Submitted by Wendy Caldwell)
Johnson & Johnson Insurance held their own "Reverse Advent Calendar" in support of local shelters. (Submitted by Deb Sundet)
We are a small agency with 8 licensed agents and 2 support staff. For our Reverse Advent Calendar we have decided to bring daily donations for either the Salvation Army Food Shelf or the Freeborn County Humane Society (animal shelter). The photo attached shows staff with donations received to date (only 7 days into the month)! As you can see, response has been excellent! (Submitted by Cindy Merfeld)
This year again - we may be small, but mighty - we collected food items and gave to the schools for families in need for Thanksgiving. Our coat/mitten/boot drive is underway and we will be delivering to the schools this week for children that don’t have coats, mittens and boots for the upcoming winter weather. (Submitted by Pam Kreitzinger)
American Home Finding (AMF) in Ottumwa, is a non-profit organization, that provides the youth shelter for kids from anywhere in the state of Iowa. Children of ages 11 to 17 cycle in and out on a regular basis depending on their case work or placement. Some only come with the clothes on their backs. A nurturing, loving approach in hopes these youth can move past the traumas they have experienced in their lives. Through building positive relationships in a safe, nurturing environment. Many of these youth are able to move their lives in a healthy direction. Attached are pictures of our office donation box at the our customer service counter. We have also place a few boxes at local churches. (Submitted by Thomas Shafer)
Challenge ACCEPTED!! Red River Valley Community Action Grand Forks has made a point in the past few years to have a “Santa Day” for the families who may not have the income to provide gifts for their kids at Christmas. The event allows each child to pick a gift, sit on Santa’s lap and just get a feel for what Christmas should be like. Last year they were able to provide for 315 families!!! This year Bruce Vaaler has GENEROUSLYdecided to donate toward this event!! Not only do they provide this program but they have a shelter that is located right next to their office. The great part about this shelter is it allows the families to transition into an apartment and receive a fresh start on their lives! Some of the staff at Vaaler Insurance, each took some of the money donated by Bruce and went out on their own time to purchase age appropriate gifts for their assigned age group. (Organized by Crystal Coulter; Submitted by Barb Hanson)