Tonight
was our annual "Give Back" Event. It's an opportunity for our company to support
the less fortunate on the downtown east side.
This
year we were able to leverage some of our suppliers who donated product that
helped fill over 2500 care packages for us to hand
out.
Before
our group of 100+ strong headed out on the streets there was a fantastic speech
given to by Sister Nancy from Covenant House and her message of being involved
at any level helps build the bridge of understanding and tear down the stigma
that surrounds the less fortunate.
It was
an impact full evening that was far reaching for many of the participants. I
would like to share a email string I read the next morning from Shawn our VP of
eCommerce below.
Cheers
Calvin
Hi friends,
I sent an email a couple weeks back about the far reaching effects of our reputation and the impact our actions have in ways we are often unaware of. Calvin, as our leader, gives us a venue and a platform to "Live, Love, Laugh and Learn" both in the work-place and in our personal lives. Last night with the EO event on the downtown Eastside, we directly impacted lives - not just of those poor souls on the streets, but our own...and this truly is the gift we have been given. I've spoken with many of you today, and I know that you were profoundly impacted. I believe that all 4 of our core values were strongly in evidence last night. I congratulate you all and I applaud Calvin for providing us with this opportunity.
Broadening the scope and the impact of the event though, I wanted to add this email that I received today from Ron Lee. Ron's daughter Madison plays on the soccer team I coach. Ron is a high school educator in the Coquitlam school board. He came with both Madison and his 9 year old daughter Taylor.
Here is what he wrote to me:
Thank you for the tremendous opportunity that you gave to my children and the rest of the girls. This is not a soccer lesson, but a life lesson. The impact that you have and the the experiences that you give the girls (yesterday and soccer), helps shape them for today, tomorrow, and forever. I heard the word "sad" at least three times last night and what it showed is that the girls where effected in some way. We as adults, are a beacon to opportunities for our children to experience. I wish discussion takes place with the girls and their parents as these moments become the "teachable moments" that we look at during school. It's not just the experience, but where we go from here. I know that Madison respects you and I am sure that your words have meaning.
I have spent the first 10 minutes of every one of my PE classes today discussing what I saw and how students can make an impact (to remember being kind to one another or helping with food hampers at school).
Once again, THANKS from the Lee family.
Remember, that we have 364 other days during the year to support, encourage, respect and treat people without judgement. I'm sure that you feel as I do, that I took more than I gave last night - that's the beauty of selflessness, and doing good for others.
Blessings!
Shawn
