Why we get involved...
It strengthens our community.
Organizations that use volunteers are providing important services at little or no cost to those who need them. When a community thrives as a whole, its individuals are better off too!
It strengthens the Geneva Capital family.
Volunteerism is a way for us to have fun with each other as well as build relationships outside of the office.
It feels good.
The satisfaction and pride that come from helping others is important to us. When we commit our time and effort to a cause we feel strongly about, we feel an incredible sense of fulfillment.
Some of our recent projects:
Community Reinvestment Committee
Quarterly, 2-3 members of our team volunteer to serve on this charitable giving committee. This committee is given a monthly budget with which they can assist any personal acquaintances, local families, or organizations that are in need. Some of the criteria they use to select recipients are that the donation in some way affects youth, helps someone in immediate need, and is used in or around our community. In the past, the funds have been used to purchase gift cards for families who are in need of a particular item, provided a service to a family in need, or have been given directly as a cash donation.
Community Reinvestment Lunch (CRL)
Each month 2-3 members of our team choose a charity & prepare a lunch for the rest of the office. All of the recipients we choose are picked because they hit home in one way or another...whether it's an ailment someone we know suffers from, or a family we know that's going through a challenging time. All donations are collected & matched by Geneva Capital. Through the CRL, we've raised money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Jingle Bells, Minnesota Teen Challenge, Faith's Lodge, and many local families in need, as well as purchasing Christmas presents for local children.
Community Reinvestment Happy Hour (CRHH)
Each month, one department from our team whips up a few snacks and invites the rest of the team to enjoy a fun happy hour mixer in our office at the end of a work day. Each team member makes a free-will donation and similarly to the CRL (see above) funds are matched by Geneva Capital, and the sponsoring team/department gets to personally choose a charity or local beneficiary. It's just another way we can give back to the community we love and causes near to our hearts.
United way
The Geneva Team helps out at many United Way events throughout the year. Several of us have volunteered at the United Way Food Drop where we help to unload and organize food and household items, hand them out, and help transport goods to vehicles. Each year the coat drive provides warm winter wear for over 800 residents of Douglas County. We think everyone should have adequate outerwear in the cold months, and the United Way does a fantastic job of ensuring that no one is left in the cold. In addition, we've helped organize items for the Traveling Tree House, volunteered at check points along the annual SUP-A-Thon and try to offer a helping hand to various United Way projects whenever we can.
American Cancer Society Relay for Life
Geneva Capital employees regularly participate and have even served on the organizing committee for our local Relay for Life event. Cancer has affected all of our lives and Relay is such a simple, heartfelt way to offer support.
Lunch Buddies
We have several members of our team who have been lunch buddies for many years. They travel to local elementary schools, eat lunch & spend time with the student they're matched to. The article below was from the United Way's newsletter & featured our team.
