At Merchology, two of our favorite things are getting together as a team and doing our part in our community. This year, we got to do both, and for a whole week—our amazing Giveback Team organized a week’s worth of awesome volunteer opportunities for the MerchFam to take part in. Outfitted in our customized Zusa Navy Breezy Tees, we set out to make an impact.
Our Minnesota, Nevada, and Pennsylvania locations each participated in volunteer activities during Impact Week. Here’s an overview of the organizations we partnered with:
Mississippi Park Connection
Mississippi Park Connection exists to give people in the Twin Cities opportunities to get into nature and explore the river. They focus on “youth education, community engagement, and environmental stewardship programs,” teaching people about protecting this beautiful area’s ecosystems and getting people outside to see for themselves. You can hike with a ranger, take field trips, and visit their learning center!
Our team volunteered with the Mississippi Park Connection by getting their hands dirty. They helped clean and sharpen approximately 40 pieces of landscaping equipment and organize supplies!
Minnesota Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital
The MN Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital puts the research of the University of Minnesota to good use by working with patients to find a successful plan of care. This location offers a wide range of care for pediatric and neonatal patients including surgery, cardiac and oncology care, organ and marrow transplantation, and imaging. MN Health Fairview is focused on giving patients and families a positive experience by offering many opportunities for patients to create crafts, play games, and even appear on the hospital’s in-house TV program for kids!
The MerchFam joined into the fun by helping create craft and activity kits for patients! The morning shift put together 200 slime-making kits, 200 medical play kits, 280 superhero kits for the hospital’s annual Superhero Day, and 25 lego kits! The afternoon shift served dinner to 50 families and made 25 tie blankets for patients!
Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners
IOCP works to build up communities. They provide services for their clients including food, emergency financial assistance, housing, employment, youth education, case management, and childcare resources. IOCP is focused on meeting the urgent needs of the community. The organization started out as a food shelf and grew over the past 40 years to provide many urgently needed services for families and individuals.
Our team members took time to help sort clothing and prepare for an upcoming IOCP benefit! They steamed and tagged 1900 pieces of clothing for the event, priced 3 racks of clothing that Merchology donated, sorted 19 bins of donations, helped move large pieces of furniture for clients to purchase, and sorted clothing for resale!
Food Bank of Northern Nevada
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada partners with more than 150 agencies across NV to provide food for those in need. Monthly, they serve more than 130,000 people. The FBNN, a member of Feeding America, has been feeding people for 40 years. Last year, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada provided over 20 million meals. Almost half of the people they serve are children and seniors facing hunger. By working with volunteers and partners, they collect and distribute food.
Our Reno team helped out by sorting out bags of fresh apples for people to take!
Paxton Ministries
Paxton Ministries provides support services and affordable housing for adults dealing with mental illness, intellectual disability, or poverty. Based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Paxton Ministries offers housing options that are comfortable, safe, and supportive. It is their mission to provide hope, dignity, and respect to people who are houseless or need a safe, affordable place to live.
Our PA team volunteered with Paxton Ministries by cleaning a Paxton Ministries apartment complex, helping those needing assistance!
Caitlin’s Smiles
Caitlin’s Smiles was founded in memory of Caitlin Mary Hornung, who battled bravely against cancer until shortly before her 8th birthday. Caitlin loved to create art as a way of finding hope and healing, and Caitlin’s Smiles was founded to help bring joy to those dealing with health struggles. They give children with life-threatening or chronic conditions opportunities to be creative with arts and crafts activities.
Our Merchology teams in Minnesota, Nevada, and Pennsylvania each volunteered with Caitlin’s Smiles by making cards (in English and Spanish), bracelet kits, and care packages that included books, toys, and art supplies for pediatric patients!
Our Total Impact
During Merchology’s Impact Week, we had a total of 174 volunteers who put in a grand total of 440 volunteer hours! We want to give a huge thanks to our Giveback team for organizing, and another huge thanks to our MerchFam volunteers who made everything happen!
Other Committees at Merchology
Along with our Giveback team, we have multiple committees at Merchology that get together to make a difference in our offices and communities! Here’s an overview:
Giveback
Mission: “Aims to provide volunteer and donation opportunities to our employees to make a positive impact on local organizations and sustainability in our communities.”
Social
Mission: “Aims to provide a schedule of inclusive, evolving, enjoyable events to foster company pride and camaraderie.”
DE&I
Mission: “Aims to advance an inclusive culture that is powerfully diverse, strives for equity, and values all persons’ unique differences and talents.”
Wellness
Mission: “Aims to promote a culture of physical, psychological, and emotional well-being for our employees by providing activities and support that will result in healthier lifestyles.”
These committees help Our Team stay true to our Core Values: Stay Humble & Hungry, Honor Commitments, Embrace Change, Protect the Planet, and Win as a Team!