California Giant Berry Farms corporate offices become Santas Workshop every December providing support to the many community charities helping those in need during the holidays. This year the staff broke all previous records and succeeded in raising almost $5000 for local community members in need.
The tradition of giving to these charities for Christmas is in its 8th 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 fund raisers 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 the staff was overwhelmed with support resulting in a long list of local charities that benefited.
The company adopted 8 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 childrens 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, says Claudia Marshall, 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.
Today the staff makes their deliveries to Santa Cruz/Watsonville Volunteer Center, Pajaro Valley Womens Shelter, Jacobs Heart and Aptos Adopt a Family. Following the gift deliveries they will all meet at the local Nob Hill/Raleys store to shop for groceries that will be donated to the Share your Holiday event benefitting The Salvation Army. The group is proud to support these organizations and focus on giving during this season as so many are in need due to the difficult economic times facing every community.
Source: California Giant Berry Farms
