VTO- A current volunteer perspective
"Between now and the end of the year, many places lose their volunteers. It's a great time to fill in the gaps, use up your VTO, meet new people, and do good in your community. Loneliness and isolation is one determinant of health, and the holidays can be difficult. Volunteering can be a one-time event. Any service to the community makes an impact," says Lacey Buckingham, a Humana sales representative. She volunteers weekly at Second Harvest Heartland as a senior intake specialist. "I get to meet so many people. I love that part of it," she says.
At work, Lacey recognized the need for food security among her senior clients who may not qualify for assistance. She volunteers to help at a mobile food shelf, at Second Harvest Heartland and through Senior Community Services. Volunteering enhances the training and resources provided by Humana, so Lacey assists her clients with a deeper understanding of their situation. "It's easy to get started, and it's fun," says Lacey.
C.H. Robinson
Kristine Kosek, C.H. Robinson's community relations manager, says, "When employees contribute time or money to the causes they care about, our company matches contributions. Our values align when the company cares about what employees care about and nonprofits benefit from additional resources. There is a synergy between volunteerism and the nonprofit's mission as we hold hands and work together to support causes in our communities."
C.H. Robinson provides employees annually with eight hours of VTO, they match employee volunteer time and financial gifts, and they provide nonprofit board members and grants. The company encourages employee volunteerism through quarterly campaigns, national volunteer week and holiday giving. A long-term supporter of Second Harvest Heartland, C.H. Robinson's strategy includes investing in their people and in the community where they live.
US Bank
Sofia Terzic, US Bank's Minnesota community affairs manager says, "Volunteerism strengthens US Bank employees who utilize their expertise by volunteering and serving on nonprofit boards. They develop personally and professionally and can apply this in their work."
US Bank allows each employee 16 hours of VTO annually. Employees log hours and search for opportunities on an internal site. US Bank makes financial gifts in their "Dollars for Doing" program, and they run an employee giving campaign in August and September to encourage and incentivize volunteerism. US Bank is the sixth largest corporate volunteer partner with Second Harvest Heartland.
If you have VTO to use before the end of the year or want to make new connections during the holiday season, Second Harvest Heartland wants to host you! End your weekday by volunteering for a 3:30-5pm food repacking shift or start your weekend early with a 2:30-4pm shift. Sign up for current opportunities by visiting Volunteer Central.
