Graphtech’s Post

🎅 Spread Joy with Community Holiday Traditions! 🕯️ The holidays are a wonderful opportunity to connect with your community and spread joy. Consider these engaging traditions: Volunteer Together: As a family, volunteer at a local soup kitchen or food bank to help those in need during the holiday season.  Participate in Giving Trees: Sponsor a family or purchase gifts for children through local giving tree programs, teaching the value of generosity.  Neighborhood Caroling: Gather friends and family to go caroling in your neighborhood, bringing festive cheer to your community.  Engaging in these activities fosters a sense of togetherness and highlights the true spirit of the season. How does your family give back during the holidays? Let us know in the comments! #CommunityTraditions #HolidayGiving #SpreadJoy #FamilyActivities #SeasonOfGiving

Some of us are blessed to wake up on Christmas morning with a room full of love, laughter, and family. The call of our children early in the morning, their voices full of energy and excitement. For me, it’s my very most favorite holiday for those very same reasons. I love traditions and more than anything I love my children and seeing their smiles on Christmas morning. Not everyone has this privilege. Think about children who have been recently removed from their homes, feeling uncertainty, feeling lost and a terrible feeling of grief, not knowing what has happened, not understanding why they are suddenly in a strangers home. Not understanding why “Mom” is not there, wondering where their brother or sister went, why are they not together? Confused about how nice the people are in this new home, but sad because it’s not their home, it’s not their bed, they don’t have their favorite comforting blanket and plush toy. The smell is different, the food looks different, it’s not what “Mom” cooks. Just imagine… This is the feeling of the hundreds of children placed in Foster Care and Residential homes everyday. Its not much compared to all that they have lost, but together we can help share a little joy during the most magical time of the year. Together we can make wishes come true and hope that in someway we have touch the life of a child when they need it most, together we can make a difference! Let’s spread joy together! When participating in Secret Santa you are helping a child in need, who like other children, have wishes and “maybe” a little hope. Interested? Email SecretSanta@HelixHumanServices.org with your interest. We will do our best to match your preferred age and gender. You can help by requesting one wish list and purchasing items on the list. Each wish list is written by each child/youth. I have to say - full disclosure- its fun to see how creative children can get, but sad to see wishes you can fulfill, like “I wish I could see my dad” or “I want to be with my sister”. Other ways to help is making a monetary donation (we do the shopping for you), hosting a toy drive or giving tree, or purchasing an item (or a few) from the Secret Santa Amazon Wish List. Have any questions? Lets chat! To learn more about Helix Human Services and the children and families we serve: www.HelixHumanServices.org To make a monetary donation or learn more about Secret Santa visit: https://lnkd.in/e5MEGNST To see the Amazon Wish List visit (remember as wish lists come in the list of items increases): Link coming soon. Thank you for helping make wishes come true!

𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲’𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞 With only four apartments available, our selection process is rigorous. Our selection criteria prioritizes families committed to change, ensuring that our limited resources make a lasting impact: ✅ Self-Elimination: Some families intentionally seek alternative housing, removing themselves from consideration. ✅ Criminal Offense Nature: Violent offenses against children or the elderly disqualify individuals. However, most other offenses can be considered with the right context. ✅ Willingness for Change: A critical requirement is the mother's genuine desire to change. Without this commitment, we run the risk of being just another housing program, which we strive not to be. Our process is inclusive and does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, national origin, or religious preference. We seek families ready to embrace change, allowing for meaningful support and lasting transformation. If you know families that could benefit from our program or want to get involved, please reach out to Mercy’s Shore. Together, we can create a brighter future for those in need! #NonProfitOrganization #CommunitySupport #TransformingLives #Philanthropy

Keeping Hope Alive: "National Missing Children's Day" May 25th, is National Missing Children's Day. It's a day to shine a light on child safety, honor the tireless efforts of those working to find missing children, and remember the children who are still waiting to be brought home. A Day of Remembrance and Action! National Missing Children's Day was established in 1983 in memory of Etan Patz, a six-year-old boy who vanished from his New York City neighborhood. His story, though heartbreaking, sparked a national conversation about child safety and the importance of resources for families facing this unimaginable situation. How You Can Help: - Educate yourself and your children: Talk to your children about safety precautions, like memorizing phone numbers and stranger danger. There are many resources available online and through local organizations. - Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to children in your community, especially if they seem lost or alone. - Share missing children's posters: Spreading information on social media and around your neighborhood can be critical in locating missing children. - Support organizations working to find missing children: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and other organizations rely on donations and volunteers to continue their vital work. Together, we can make a difference. Let's keep hope alive for missing children and their families. #NationalMissingChildrensDay #MissingKids #BringThemHome

Our Focus Goes Beyond Martial Arts: At our UMF academy, we’re dedicated to cultivating kindness, unity, and compassion. ❤️ Giving back isn’t just an activity—it’s a stepping stone toward growing responsible future leaders. This season of thankfulness, let’s encourage our children to spread positivity both in their training and in the community! 🙌 Here are some meaningful ways to engage kids in acts of kindness this month: 🤲 Serve Together: Get involved in community efforts, like park clean-ups or volunteering at local shelters. These activities offer valuable lessons in empathy and teamwork. 💌 Share Holiday Joy with Cards: Craft handmade cards to send to veterans, seniors, or local heroes. It’s a thoughtful way for kids to express appreciation and spread holiday cheer. 🧸 Donate Toys for Tots: Collect gently used or new toys to bring smiles to children who could use a little extra joy this season. 😊 Encourage Small Acts of Kindness: Every kind gesture matters! Motivate your kids to help a friend, share a compliment, or write kind notes for classmates. #CultivatingValues #givingback #Citizen #Citizenship #characterdevelopment

Grandparents and children have a special connection that is proven to both make grandparents live longer, and also make children more emotionally resilient. Grandparents lavish their children and grandchildren with an endless supply of love, gifts, and candy which they always seem to have on them. Today the favor is returned as grandparents are honored and receive gratitude for their strength, kindness, nurturing, and wisdom. 👴🏻🧓🏻💐🔨 Every family shares their own history and traditions so, naturally, ways to celebrate this day vary. Whether it is going through photo albums, asking grandma to bake your favorite treat, spending time with your grandparents at the park, fixing the car in the garage with grandpa, we’re sure you’ll find something to do together! Unfortunately, some grandparents have no one to share the day with. Volunteering at an old-age home is a great way to give back and so are community group projects that help the elderly feel included and like they are a part of a family. ❗❓: Did you know? 58% – the percentage of grandparents who say they care for their grandchildren because they enjoy doing it. #GrandparentsDay #Grandparents #FamilyTime #QualityTimeWithTheGrandparents #GrandpaTime #GrandmaTime #FunWithGrandparents #GrandparentsFun #NationalGrandparentsDay #ZempelInsurance #LakeMillsWI #LakeMillsInsurance #LakeMillsOffice

Introducing Jamie French, our Employee Philanthropy Spotlight for this month! 🌟 Jamie supports causes that align with his beliefs, including his church, missionaries, and organizations providing care for mothers and children in need. He believes in giving generously, trusting that the more we give, the more we are blessed. What personally inspires you to be involved in philanthropy, and how do you choose the causes you support? My inspiration for giving comes from my faith and from God, who gives so generously to us. My parents were also an example to me, always giving faithfully to their church and generously to individuals and organizations beyond that. The causes I choose to support are my church first and foremost, as I believe that the church is God’s design for showing the world His love and teaching others how to have a relationship with Him. Other causes I choose to support typically align with something important to me or causes I feel passionate about. We have supported a number of missionaries or missionary agencies (including family members who are serving in other countries). We support a pregnancy center because of the love and care they show mothers who have experience an unplanned pregnancy. We support multiple agencies who provide education and basic needs for impoverished children in other countries, including adoptive agencies who help such children find a permanent home. In what ways do you actively engage with the causes you support, and how has your involvement impacted your perspective on giving back? I have always served in my church in some capacity (currently on the technology team that helps run our weekend services). Involvement in such ministries has given me a window into the practical needs of the organization and where financial resources could help the most. It keeps me motivated to give for a specific purpose, rather than just fulfilling an obligation based on my beliefs. #FaithInAction #GenerosityMatters #GivingBack #AdventPartners #ReadyForGood

National Volunteer Week (April 21-27) Serving in your #community and #volunteering are powerful ways to make a positive impact on the world around you. By dedicating your time and skills to helping others, you can create meaningful change, foster connections and contribute to the well-being of those in need. While National Volunteer Week kicks off April 21, VA invites everyone in the community to explore ways to give back to Veterans any time of the year. In addition, #Veterans can explore volunteer opportunities as part of VetServe 2024, which encourages Veterans to become volunteers to support other Veterans. On April 24, 2024, join #VA in supporting a National Day of Service through VetServe 2024. #VetServe is a celebration of service and a call-to-action aimed to encourage the nation’s 19 million Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors to serve in their community. Did you know 🤷♂️ 🙌In Fiscal Year 2023, 25,403 active volunteers contributed more than 3.2 million hours of service to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors at VA medical facilities across the country. Additionally, these individuals, along with community partners generously donated more than $81.1 million to VA, supporting critical programs and essential services that have a lasting and positive impact on Veterans. 🤯 There were 25,403 volunteers on VA’s rolls during FY 2023, contributing a total of more than 3.2 million hours of service. It would require 1,565 Full Time Equivalents (FTE) to cover the workload of CDCE volunteers. 🎯#CDCE volunteers and their organizations contributed more than $81.1 million in gifts and donations in FY 2023 for a combined total value of over $112.4 million in volunteer service and giving. 🤜🤛Monetary estimates aside, it is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing these CDCE volunteers provide to Veteran patients. #NationalVolunteerWeek #VA #Volunteers #Community #VetServe

To everyone who said it couldn’t be done—watch us! This year has pushed me to my limits. Four kids, launching a company, running a nonprofit, and still finishing up my final semester of full-time school. My days start at 4:30 AM and often don’t end until 10:00 PM. But through all the long hours, the exhaustion, and the grind, we are making incredible things happen. I’m not doing this alone. I’m blessed to have an amazing team, many of whom volunteer 2-30 hours a week to make our vision a reality. We’ve built something more than just a team—we’ve created a family. A culture of support, resilience, and healing that’s helping us break down barriers and change lives. By this time next year, I’ll be in grad school, and we’ll be providing 7-10 full-time, work-from-home jobs for military families—where parents can work with their kids by their side. We’re not just dreaming about the future; we’re building it. Tears filled my eyes after our last team call—WE ARE REALLY DOING IT!!! #Resilience #MilitaryFamilies #WorkFromHome #BreakingBarriers #GradSchoolBound #NonprofitLeadership #Teamwork #Volunteerism #HealingCulture