The team at HC Brands celebrates any opportunity to give back to the Jacksonville community! For the 2021 holiday season, HC Brands employees supported Englewood high school students in need by partnering with Communities in Schools of Jacksonville.
“The Winter Wishes program gives us the chance to work with underprivileged and at risk teens in the local community,” says Sonia Postema, Chief People Officer.
HC Brands team members excitedly purchased gifts and donated money to brighten the holiday season for 10 teens, and on December 15th, HC Brands joined the Englewood students and instructors on a virtual meeting!
Englewood students, such as 11th graders Jacob McKinnon and April Perez shrilled with glee as they opened their gifts. When teachers announced that lunch would also be served, purchased with funds donated by HC Brands employees, students were extra excited!
Here is the highlight reel from the 2021 Winter Wishes program:
Employees from other HC Brands facilities located in Austin, Texas, Salem, Massachusetts and West Chester, Pennsylvania also donated money to support Winter Wishes!
We collected $650 in addition to a room full of gifts! We used this money to purchase additional individual gifts, stocking stuffers for all the students, and also bought their holiday lunch. I love that we were able to spend time with the older students. I feel like high school is tumultuous and it’s easy to forget how much these students need love and attention, says Sonia Postema.
HC Brands has also worked with Communities in Schools of Jacksonville for school supply donations, and looks forward to a continued partnership! Along with programs like Winter Wishes, HC Brands also supports the Jacksonville Humane Society, Her Song, Rethreaded, and Haiti 180.
A philanthropic pulse is at the heart of our company values, and we strive to make a difference in the Jacksonville community, says CEO Bryan Croft.
Related Blogs:
HC Brands Awards Scholarship to Nebraska Husker
HC Brands and Winter Wishes 2020
Education Opportunities at HC Brands
