Connect with Your Co-workers, Come Together for Your Community

Four Companies Restore Hope this Fall

 by Beth Dodson

Last month, Good Neighbors hosted our semi-annual event, Hands of Hope, a corporate work week where companies get the opportunity to give back to their community and connect with one another by volunteering to complete a critical home repair for a low-income homeowner. This fall, Good Neighbors welcomed back volunteers from WSFS Bank and CSC Global, who both participated in Hands of Hope in the spring. This time around, they replaced a leaking roof for a Newark homeowner, Janice and her sons.

Presence Bank and the Kennett Square-based mushroom company, South Mill Champs, were welcomed as new participants. Both new companies worked hard to put a new roof on Robert’s home, our very first Hands of Hope homeowner in southern Lancaster County.

Presence: A Small Bank, A Big Impact

Presence Bank serves companies and families with their offices in Lancaster and Chester counties. During their workday, six volunteers tore off and replaced the shingles on half of Robert’s roof, which was badly leaking. “We loved getting out of our comfort zone to do something we’ve never done before (roofing), but we were determined to be of service to Bob.” Among the volunteers were Presence Bank leaders Janak (President and CEO), Doug (Chief Banking Officer) and Lindsay (Chief Financial Officer). Some volunteers traveled from as far as Harrisburg to help give Robert a safer and drier home.

CSC: Ditch the Cube to Climb a Ladder

Connie, a CSC Sales Team Leader, seemed to beam with pride as she watched her coworkers casually climb up the ladder to Janice’s roof. “They [Good Neighbors] really let you do the hard work—the real heavy lifting. But I like being on the ground,” Connie said with a smile. As CSC volunteers on the roof tore off old shingles and replaced them with new ones, there was still plenty of hard work to do on the ground. Despite having little to no experience in roof repair, no hands were idle. Connie added, “Most of us are sitting in cubes all day. This is totally out of our wheelhouse.”

Having previously participated in Hands of Hope last spring, CSC was eager to join Good Neighbors again to make an impact on their community and provide a critical home repair for Janice and her two sons. In addition to providing companies with an opportunity to give back to their communities, Hands of Hope also serves as a unique teambuilding activity for the companies who volunteer. “I loved seeing our team come together,” said Kelly, a first-time volunteer.

WSFS: We Stand (on a Roof) for Service

Volunteers from WSFS Bank, another company that participated in Hands of Hope last spring, reflected fondly on the teambuilding experience and the satisfaction of seeing the immediate impact of their hard work. “I enjoyed seeing the effort that the team put into the task,” said Mike, “and seeing the happy face of the family, knowing that we made her house better than it was before.” Sam added, “Getting to meet the homeowner showed me who I was doing this for and made me feel satisfied when finishing at the end of the day.” WSFS Team Leader, Joe, welcomed the opportunity volunteering gave him, saying, “A large part of my professional career has been oriented toward the financial aspects of housing, and to be able to physically contribute to the improvement of someone’s home offered new perspectives.”

South Mill Champs: There’s Nothing Like the Human Touch

Jessica, an associate director at South Mill Champs, gathered several volunteers from different departments in the company to come together for the workday. “I don’t work directly with them every day, but they are such hard workers,” said Jessica, “anything you need, they just get it done.” South Mill Champs is one of the largest mushroom growers and suppliers in the country, using the latest technology and machinery to grow and distribute millions of mushrooms a year. Several of the South Mill Champs volunteers worked in the grounds and maintenance department, which is responsible for maintaining the equipment and environments used to sustainably grow the mushrooms. When asked how all their mushrooms are harvested, a South Mill Champs volunteer stated with confidence, “There’s nothing like the human touch.”

When it comes to providing critical home repairs to low-income families and restoring their hope for the future, there really is nothing like the human touch. Hands of Hope gives companies the opportunity to make a direct impact on the lives of people in need in their community by providing a critical home repair. Using their own hands, they tear off old shingles and lay new ones. They high-five a co-worker for a job well done, and they shake hands with a grateful homeowner.

Good Neighbors annually repairs about 200 homes across southern Lancaster and southern Chester Counties in PA as well as northern New Castle County, DE. Last year, we touched the lives of over 500 people by making their homes warmer, safer, drier, and healthier. Our work wouldn’t be possible without the people who generously give their time and labor to someone in need. Thank you, Presence Bank, CSC, WSFS Bank, and South Mill Champs for another fantastic Hands of Hope event!