One of the many reasons why I love working at Samtec is the associates (employees) have a heart for giving and a willingness to show it. Below are just two examples of many that hopefully will encourage you to make a difference in others’ lives.
“One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” John F. Kennedy
Christmas Gifts For A Family With Seven Kids
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Samtec associates at our Wilsonville, Oregon, cable facility connected with Compassion in Action Clackamas County/Toy and Joy, a non-profit volunteer organization that works with local social service agencies and other groups to identify families in need. The families identified meet the standard for Federal Food Stamp Income guidelines, verifying the need.
“Toy and Joy” provided the name of a family with a single dad with seven children, ages 4-13. A Samtec associate, who served as the “Secret Santa,” contacted the agency and received the father’s phone number. That call resulted in a list of Christmas items for each child.
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According to the associates who organized the effort, “We made tags of the gifts needed and put them on the Christmas tree in our lobby. We had a kick-off event for our associates with cookies and told them about the opportunity to make this a great experience for this family. We also sponsored a fundraiser with a silent auction of some items in the factory that were being retired (tools and a tool cabinet). This raised over $700 to pay for a lot of food, other items, and a gas gift card for the dad.”
Associates packed the toys into a car and Santa – another Samtec associate – surprised the kids with the delivery. We have some fantastic pictures of Santa with the excited kids, but we prefer to not publish them to respect the family’s privacy.
“If you cannot feed a hundred people, feed one.” Mother Teresa
Last-Minute Call For Food For Students
Samtec associates at our New Albany, Indiana headquarters received a last-minute call for help from a local middle school. A significant number of kids in this school participate in the School Lunch Program. The school was trying to provide food to 77 families who needed it over winter break.
A Samtec associate who works with the local school system discovered the need. He sent an email at 7:52 am, and food items needed to be dropped off at 6:00 pm the next work day. Associates were also invited to help organize and box the goods that evening. We’re thrilled to report that, through the kindness of many associates (some as far away as our Silicon Valley office), we supplied all of the food items needed, with leftovers.
According to the associate who organized it, “all boxes were delivered, we fulfilled all of the requests, we also donated money for perishable items like milk and bread for each box, and the remaining items and cash were donated to a local food pantry that we partner with. The sacrifice of time was as impressive as the generosity of the gifts.”
There are many other stories we could share, but hopefully, these two will encourage you to find ways to make a difference in others’ lives. And this isn’t just for Christmas time and the holidays.
You can make a difference on your own, with your family, with coworkers, or in any way. But please make a difference.
“Regardless of whatever I do, I know what my purpose is: to make a difference in people’s lives.” Tim Tebow
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