Supporting our local communities at TuGo has always been important to us – so much so that we organize an annual Employee Volunteer Month to give back right before the holidays. But our team doesn’t stop there. We have quite a few compassionate individuals that give back on their own time throughout the year, and every contribution makes a difference! Here are some of our employee highlights of the year:
Laughs to End MS
As the Vice Chair of the MS Society of BC & Yukon, earlier this year, Melissa M. organized a comedy fundraiser called Laughs to End MS. 100% of proceeds from this event supports programs and services for those impacted by Multiple Sclerosis, particularly in the Lower Mainland.
Big Bike
The TuGo Trailblazers participated in a 20-minute heart-pumping, cheer-thumping, crazy, fun ride around Steveston to raise funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation on a 30-person bike! Between the team’s fundraising and contributions made through our Employee Volunteer Program, we surpassed our goal of $2,000 and raised $6,404.
Salmon Bellies Fundraiser for Emily Goss
The Senior Women’s Bellies hosted a fundraiser for their teammate, Emily Goss, who was hit by a drunk driver while visiting friends in London. Two of our employees, Lesley H. and Celine C. volunteered to sell raffle tickets at the fundraiser to support Emily and her family during her recovery. Total funds raised: a whopping $13,218.65!
Power Breakfast & Bake Sale for Mission Possible
Based in the Downtown Eastside, Mission Possible is a charity that helps individuals challenged with poverty to navigate a journey to employment by training, coaching, and providing them with transitional work opportunities. This year, Thomas B. gathered employees to cook two Power Breakfasts at Mission Possible. He also organized a company-wide bake sale in Richmond, where so many of our talented TuGo bakers contributed to support those in need.
Richmond Food Bank
One of our favourite organizations we support year after year is the Richmond Food Bank. This organization provides nutritious food choices, along with programs and opportunities that help make a difference in the community. No matter how many years we volunteer here, our employees are always keen to participate!
A few of our employees helped stock shelves, sorted food, and repackaged goods to help prepare the Food Bank for the busiest time of the year.
Invasive Plant Removal at Iona Beach
Iona Beach is one of those areas a lot of people tend to forget about, but its beauty is breathtaking! In our second year of maintaining the habitat for birds and other wildlife, a group of employees removed blackberry roots and replanted various species of dune grass in its place. It was a beautiful, windy day, and we all had a blast!
YMCA Food Bank in Montreal
The Montreal team volunteered at the YMCA, one of the largest food banks in Canada. We learned that they receive over 600,000 food requests every month, requiring dozens of volunteers every day to keep the operation running. It felt great to give back to our community, and we look forward to volunteering again in Montreal very soon!
Invasive Plant Removal at Richmond Nature Park
We love supporting our friends at the Richmond Nature Park, and love to keep it pristine, too! In partnership with the City of Richmond’s Partners for Beautification (PFB) Program, a few of us took to our shears to remove invasive blueberries that destroy the park’s overall ecosystem.
Mississauga SEVA Food Bank
Our team in Mississauga helped prepared food at the SEVA Food Bank, which provides safe, nutritious food to low income families living in seven postal codes across Mississauga. Our volunteers helped organize, stock shelves, all in a good day’s work!
Pumpkin Carving at Richmond Nature Park
As one of our go-to seasonal volunteer activities, carving pumpkins is definitely one of our EVM highlights! A few of our employees tested their carving skills to create family-friendly Jack-O-Lanterns for the park’s annual Halloween event, Wild Things.
Shelter Bags for Women Helping Women
Just in time for the holidays, a few of our employees put together 20 identical gift bags for Women Helping Women, a local cause that helps over 1,000 women going through a challenging time with much-needed items like toiletries and gloves. TuGo’s gift bags are being distributed to the Nova Transition House in Richmond, which offers a crisis line and temporary, safe accommodations for women and their children experiencing violence or are at risk of violence.
A few more to come…
Each year our Case Manager, Debbie P., along with her son Tristan and his friends, initiate their beloved winter tradition, Socks and Potatoes—where they deliver roasted sweet potatoes and socks to people in Vancouver’s DTES. Last year, they were able to provide gifts for nearly 400 people, with Nanaimo bars for dessert!
Our Business Development Manager Jerry G. is rounding up a group of TuGo employees to participate in the 12th Annual Victor Ghirra Toy Drive. This toy drive is dedicated to Victor, who was able to help 16 great causes and helped spread Christmas cheer to thousands of children.
Social Responsibility at TuGo
In 2019, we were overwhelmed with the generosity of our employees—it’s tremendous how much of a difference one person can make! TuGo is proud to support its employees and contribute to the various charitable causes through our Employee Volunteer Program. We’re looking forward to participating in more volunteer initiatives in 2020! Have any volunteer events you’d like us to know about? Please share them in the comments below!
Happy Giving Tuesday,
Linnea
