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For the past six years, I’ve been the chair for
a special Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser —
Bowling for Kids’ Sake. Local businesses,
churches, groups of friends and families form
bowling teams and raise money to participate
in the annual event. Last year, our company had
50 bowlers on a total of 10 teams — matching
our highest participation to date — and we raised
more than $7,500. I was so proud and excited!
It’s such a wonderful event. There are door
prizes, a DJ, an announcer and of course,
bowling. Lots of bowling. Because it’s such
a fun night and for such a worthy cause, my
part is easy. In January, I begin to reach out
and encourage others to get involved. I connect
with last year’s participants. We also publish
a story in our company e-newsletter (News
That’s Good to Know). I also enjoy talking with
new employees to connect them to the cause.
Whether you bowl or simply donate, it all
makes a difference.
In the end, it’s not about me. I just want to thank
everybody at The Hanover who has bowled or
supported Bowling for Kids’ Sake. Sometimes
people don’t get the recognition they deserve,
but their support truly matters.
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It was time
for something new. Another
holiday gift swap wouldn’t cut it. Our team wanted
to change our focus. We wanted to look outside
ourselves and see how we, as a collective, could
help people in need during the holiday season.
That’s where Operation Playhouse came in.
Operation Playhouse organizes special events
for groups of volunteers to build, design and
decorate children’s playhouses, which are then
donated to local military/veteran families that
very same day. How great is that? I was on board
immediately, and once I explained the concept
to the members of my team, so were they.
This wasn’t a simple, cookie-cutter project that
was completed in two hours. Our group of more
than 30 employees gathered first thing in the
morning, split into three teams and got right
to work. Our goal: build three playhouses and
present them to a few local military families.
The work was challenging at times, but fun
throughout. We did a little bit of everything.
Measure. Saw. Hammer. Paint. Assemble.
Fortunately, whenever we needed some
guidance, the team from Operation Playhouse
was there to lend a hand. They were awesome.
Like all employees at Operation Playhouse,
our facilitators were vets, so they were
completely invested in the work at hand.
The unquestioned highlight of the experience?
Meeting the kids and their families. The look
of awe on the kids’ faces as they ran into the
room and saw their playhouse for the first
time was priceless. We were fortunate enough
to have the opportunity to play with them for
a bit, chat with their parents — who couldn’t
have been more appreciative — and really soak
in the fruits of our labor. It was quite a moving
experience.
After working with Operation Playhouse,
I can safely say that the team and I won’t be
exchanging meaningless gifts this December.
The Hanover opened the door for us to invest
in our community during the holidays, and
there is no turning back!
It honestly stemmed
from being
a mother. You’re around children. You hear their
stories, worries, successes. You cherish the
opportunities to put smiles on their faces, and
share in their joy. Then, you remember not all
kids are so fortunate.
There are so many kids who don’t have a home
where they can express themselves or feel safe.
Some parents are working day and night just
trying to make ends meet. Some kids come
from broken or troubled homes. Troubles I can’t
even imagine. That’s so much to put on a child.
So, I decided to try to make a difference —
however small — and volunteer with Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Livingston County. I first got
involved with their Lunch Buddies Program
through our office. I got matched up with a local
child and we’d have lunch twice a month. I really
enjoyed getting to know this child, so I decided
to get more involved with the program.
Heather Stiffler
Howell, Mich.
Wherever she goes, I go.
My daughter, Roxanna, has made a career
planning events for nonprofit organizations. So,
when she started a new job with Candlelighters —
an organization that provides emotional,
educational and practical support for children
with cancer and their families — I knew I’d be
getting involved. What I didn’t know was just
how much I would love it.
You name it. I do it. I go to charity walks, events,
baseball games. I sell tickets. Play with kids.
Meet the families. I try to do whatever I can to
support the cause.
At first, I wasn’t sure I could do it — spending
time with kids who are so sick. Their low energy
and sad faces. Well, I learned quickly that wouldn’t
be the case. The kids are amazing. They love
these events. They run around, laugh, smile.
They put all of their joy and energy into them.
Most importantly, they have a chance to forget
about their illness and just be kids, if only for
a couple of hours.
A perfect example is Diego. He’s seven years old,
originally from Venezuela and has cancer. Cancer
has taken one of his eyes. He’s in stage IV now,
but you’d never know it. Every time we see him,
he’s full of smiles and hugs. His spirit is inspiring.
It can still be difficult to see so many kids
battling this terrible disease. But it is fulfilling
to know that — even if for only a brief moment —
I am able to bring some joy into a child’s life.
That’s everything. It’s what keeps me going.
Fortunately, Candlelighters is making
a difference in our community, and for Roxanna
and me, it’s a real family affair. I’m so happy
that I’m able to share these experiences
with her. It’s certainly brought us even closer
together. Having the opportunity to spend time
with your daughter and bring some joy into
a child’s life — what could be better than that?
Silvio Gomez
Spring, Texas
Roger Pare
Worcester, Mass.
A FAMILY
AFFAIR
I am important.
You are important.
Reading is important. I will be a good reader.
This is our mantra at Love Helps — a nonprofit
organization in Nashville that helps children
become good citizens by loving them, spending
time with them and teaching them.
I’ve been part of this great organization for
more than five years, and I stay involved because
I believe in its mantra. We all know how important
reading is for healthy child development, but
teaching kids about healthy behaviors and values
is just as important. Love Helps does both.
Kendra Schenkel
Nashville, Tenn.
LEADING
BY READING
During the school year, I read a book a week
to a class of kindergarten students. The
books we read are special because they each
tie to an important value like forgiveness,
honesty, responsibility and kindness. Last
year, Love Helps volunteers read more than
600 books to 600 students across nine
different schools!
Each week, I invite a student to come up to
the front of the class to lead the mantra with
me. When we read the book, we also use
sign language for our English as a second
language (ESL) learners. This is super-
important, because sign language helps with
comprehension and vocabulary — plus it’s
a great way for all of us to stay on the same
page (literally). Before jumping into the story,
we talk about the book and the many hands
that helped bring it to life. The kids get the big
picture and appreciate that so many people
are committed to helping them grow up to
be good readers.
I am so grateful for the VIP grant The Hanover
awarded me last year. With The Hanover’s
help, my kindergartners were able to enjoy
a number of new books. I am proud to be part
of a company that supports its employee-
volunteers and is committed to improving
childhood literacy.
MISSION
ACCOMPLISHED
CREATING
SMILES
Sherry Johnson
Richmond, Va.
Justin was a smart,
good-looking
and polite young man. He was the son of my
best friends Pat and Eddie Myers, and a good
friend of my boys growing up. As Justin grew
older, we witnessed changes in his personality —
he began to experience excessive highs and
depressive lows.
He was eventually
diagnosed with
bipolar disorder —
a mental disorder
marked by alternating
periods of elation
and depression.
Like many people
who are bipolar,
Justin struggled to
find his footing.
He found his daily life increasingly difficult,
and despite treatments and support from
others, Justin took his own life at age
20. To honor his memory, Pat and Eddie
founded FACES (Family Advocacy
Creating Education and Services) in
2004, and I immediately began to
commit my time and energy to the
cause in any way I could.
Whether it’s through support groups,
legal and financial information sessions,
the education of local law enforcement or
fundraisers, FACES helps guide families
through the many challenges of brain disorders.
I help out whenever and wherever they need
me. These families try everything and even
then it’s sometimes not enough. I want to help
dissolve the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Pat and Eddie were able to take the loss of their
son and turn it into something positive that
has made a significant impact on others’ lives.
I want people to know that there are resources,
there are answers and there are ways to
address brain disorders. It takes everyone
being able to talk about it and support efforts
like FACES to really make a difference.
I have worked at The Hanover for nearly
25 years and always have felt the importance
of community involvement. The company’s
support and generosity toward my work
with FACES means the world to me.
FACES
TURNING
TRAGEDY INTO
HOPE