Every year eFulfillment Service (eFS) team members select three Northern Michigan charities, and presents a donation to them. These charities are chosen by staff and this year the voting process took place in a Halloween-themed event at the fulfillment center’s warehouse located in Traverse City. Find out more about that event here.
Now that the charities have been selected, the Women’s Resource Center, The Father Fred Foundation and the Great Lakes Humane Society, it’s time to present their charities with their donations in time to be used for the holidays; often when it’s needed most.
In an effort to keep the presentation event as COVID-friendly as possible, each charity was given a designated time to arrive at the eFulfillment Service facility to ensure only one representative from each charity was on the premises at a time. COVID screening and face masks were in place as always and social distancing was practiced whenever possible. While the decision of donating to these charities was largely made by the operations team, the checks were presented by one member of the eFS Charitable Contribution Committee (CCC) to avoid a large gathering of the team in the ecommerce fulfillment warehouse.
The first presentation was to the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) with the Executive Director, Juliette Schultz accepting the donation. “This year has been difficult on everyone in the community and WRC is not excluded from that. We have lost the ability to work with our volunteers which impacts us in all aspects of what we do. With the most recent shutdown order we made the difficult decision to close our two thrift stores which are massive sources of income for us,” explained Schultz. “Though we hope they’ll only be closed for the three weeks as instructed, it’s donations that keep us afloat in these uncertain times and we gratefully appreciate the eFulfillment Service team for selecting us this year. If I could thank each employee that voted, I certainly would”
Sydney Kester, eFS Communications Coordinator (right) presenting the donation to the WRC Executive Director, Juliette Schultz (left).
For more information on the Women’s Resource Center and how you can help, click here.
The next charity was The Father Fred Foundation with Advancement Manager, Elaine Talue stopping by to accept the donation. “We’ve been able to adapt pretty well under COVID restrictions by offering a carside service for our food bank and being able to send funds directly to companies that are applicable under our Eviction Diversion program,” Talue shares. “This donation from eFulfillment Service will largely benefit our food bank as people continue to struggle to put food on the table, especially with the upcoming holidays.”
Mike Claycomb, eFS Warehouse Manager (left) presenting the donation to The Father Fred Foundation Advancement Manager, Elaine Talue (right).
For more information on The Father Fred Foundation and how you can help, click here.
Last but certainly not least, is Linda Gottwald and Patty Cake (a dog) who came on behalf of the Great Lakes Humane Society. Patty Cake is currently available for adoption along with her brother Porkchop who were both found in an abandoned trailer. “This generous gift will be of tremendous help this winter in paying our heating bills, providing veterinary care to our animals and helping offset the operating costs of our shelter,” explains Gottwald. “While we face these expenses every year, this year our insurance rate tripled which was an expense we were not expecting. Gifts from the community are what will get us through this tough time and allow us to continue to provide a safe place for pets looking for their forever homes.”
Merry Hawley, eFS HR Manager (left) presenting the donation to the Great Lakes Humane Society Executive Director, Linda Gottwald (right) and Patty Cake (middle).
For more information on the Great Lakes Humane Society and how you can help, click here.
“We’re fortunate enough to be in an industry that has grown as a result of the global pandemic and we know that luck has not been extended to everyone,” says eFulfillment Service’s HR Manager, Merry Hawley. “That’s why it’s even more amazing that we can take our success and give it back to the community through organizations like these that are striving to get us all through this difficult time.”
About the Great Lakes Humane Society
Opening its doors in 2010, the Great Lakes Humane Society offers abandoned and unwanted animals shelter, medical care and the opportunity to be adopted into a loving home. Their facility has heated kennels and plenty of room for animals to romp and play. They educate the public about adopting rather than purchasing a pet and to increase awareness of the need to spay and neuter animals in the battle against pet overpopulation.
About The Father Fred Foundation
Since 1989, The Father Fred Foundation has been helping individuals and families with their essential immediate needs; nourishing food on the table, keeping heat and lights on, needed work shoes, children’s boots and clothing, or a table or bed when the necessities of home are unaffordable. Above all, they work to nurture hope when all else seems hopeless. What they have is given free of charge to those in need. They serve our five local counties (Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalkaska ) and welcome all individuals.
About the Women’s Resource Center
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) has been helping victims of sexual and domestic violence for 40 years. After four decades of service, the WRC is known as the area’s primary service provider for domestic and sexual violence survivors, assisting residential and non-residential clients with support, advocacy and immediate crisis intervention. The agency is also the acknowledged area expert on sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking and annually provides approximately 150 public awareness, prevention, education and awareness activities for allied professionals and agencies, civic groups and schools.
