What is GivingTuesday?
Giving Tuesday was created to help the “giving season” get started and remind people that holidays are about more than receiving gifts. It’s a time to encourage people to give back in whatever ways they can. There are many options, such as donating money to a charitable cause, volunteering your time, or sharing your talents. Giving Tuesday is a day set to benefit the community.
Giving back to the community has always been very important to me and maybe one of the most important principles in my life. Givers often receive rewards of giving in many ways other than just financial gain. To me, the greatest reward is knowing that I’ve done something to help somebody else.
About Angela
For most of my adult life, I’ve spent seeking ways to help people in the community. The genuine joy of helping someone is my driving force.
In 2000, I partnered with a program Liberty Ministries that exists to serve offenders in prison and ex-offenders in the community. Hosting Bible studies, collecting toiletries and baby items for incarcerated women, writing letters, and attending one-on-one visits became part of my daily routine.
In addition to Liberty Ministries, I spent a lot of time helping incarcerated women through Why Not Prosper, Inc and created a program called ASC, A Second Chance Prison Ministry that helps ex-offenders re-enter society.
Leading a Girl Scout Troop has been very fulfilling and fun for me. Witnessing girls from the age of six-years-old learning about leadership qualities, building self-esteem, helping their community, and deepening their friendships, I am amazed at the growth and character each girl has grown over the years.
When Covid-19 overshadowed our community, I spent countless hours picking up food & household donations for people in need that either could not leave their homes or were too afraid. And many times acting as a liaison for people in need and connecting them with resources.
CRM Science
When I was seeking employment, one of the greatest attributes of my current employer, CRM Science, was their heart to want to help others in the community. I knew after my first conversation with the leadership team, we had a common bond and interest, and that was to help others.
CRM Science became active in giving back to the community through our partnership with Salesforce, which began in 2013. I’d like to share some of the programs we’ve assisted.
Charities We Support
CRM Science is a proud sponsor and participant in the BikeMS Waves to Wine and BikeMS City to Shore rides. Our collective efforts have helped fund new therapies aimed at slowing, stopping, and ultimately repairing the damage done to individuals living with MS.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. The cause of MS is still unknown. Scientists believe that a combination of environmental and genetic factors contributes to the risk of developing MS.
For two years in a row, we had the opportunity to work with Foster Angels on Earth. The Holiday Gift Program provides children in the foster care system with holiday gifts. Agencies offer lists of the ages and genders of children, along with their wish lists which are shared with individuals or groups who purchase gifts for a specific child. What we loved the most about this program is that we were able to purchase what the children asked for and not a random gift. Our group came together and purchased items such as bikes, dolls, toys, and learning tablets. It’s amazing when a group comes together, even those that live out of state, and ensures a child will wake up on Christmas morning with a gift.
During the Salesforce Dreamforce Conference in 2019, CRM hosted a puzzle party for its attendees. We purchased many games and puzzles for the event. Ami Assayag, Founder and CEO of CRM Science, asked if we could find a local recreation to donate to games and puzzles. Tenderloin Recreation Center was so happy to receive such a generous donation. The games were well received from the children at the center. Our team spent a few hours with the youth enjoying playing the games.
The Greg Rymer Program Endowment Fund was created by Katie Rymer in honor of her late husband who passed away in October of 2020. The fund will be used to fund grants for underserved children to enjoy the life-affirming benefits of tennis.
CRM Science is always looking for ways to get our employees engaged and decided to host a Give-Back Contest this year! Each interested employee could share the name and mission of a non-profit organization that is close to their heart. We unanimously decided to support Grands Stepping Up.
Grands Stepping Up is a non-profit dedicated to assisting grandparents/kinship guardians who are raising their grandchildren, primarily due to many issues such as the opiate epidemic, incarceration, mental health issues, death or illness of the parents that cause the parents to have the inability to fitness in their traditional parental roles.
Volunteer Time Off - VTO
CRM Science participates in the Pledge 1% program. The Company strongly encourages our employees to support activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work and the issues impacting the quality of life. Employees can donate up to 20 hours (2 1/5 days) per calendar year toward a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Last year, we hosted a friendly Volunteer Time Off (VTO) Contest and awarded the employee with the most community hours a glass cube to encourage them for their community service.
How You Can Help
Giving Tuesday is right around the corner, and the importance of giving back has been needed more now than ever. Since the pandemic and the consistent storms, there are more and more people and families in need. Nonprofits and community organizations feel the strain of increased demand for services from families in need while funding for many has begun to dry up.
We encourage you on this Giving Tuesday to support and give back to your community.
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