Whitsons Teams Spread Holiday Cheer in their Communities through Enhancing Life for the Holidays

Whitsons teams from across the organization helped represent the “Whitsons Way” by spreading holiday cheer in their communities throughout the month of December with the 2nd Annual “Enhancing Life at the Holidays” initiative. The Enhancing Life Program encourages teams to support their communities’ holiday-themed events through volunteerism, drives, and general participation. 

The team in Haverhill Public Schools, MA supported the school district’s “Stuff the Bus”
event – a community-wide collection of new toys, clothing, non-perishable food and household items for families in need. The Whitsons team provided hot chocolate and cookies to volunteers and donors throughout the Haverhill community who came out and contributed to the event.

The team in Hamden Public Schools, CT took up their own toy collection for Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. Team members brought in more than 80 new toys for infants to adolescents for the Toy Closet Program, which provides each child a bag of toys when they leave the hospital. 

Several teams on Long Island combined their efforts to support the local Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots” drive, collecting more than 170 toys for disadvantaged children. The nine local New York location teams include Commack School District, East Meadow School District, Eastport-South Manor Central School District, Hauppauge Public School District (official), Hicksville Public Schools, Lynbrook Public Schools, Malverne UFSD, West Hempstead Union Free School District, Port Jefferson School District. 

The Corporate Office team also hosted a holiday gift drive for Whitsons’ client SCO Family of Services, donating 45 wrapped gifts to SCO’s Bethany House - a transitional living environment for young mothers and their children. The team also promoted and shared an on-line personal donation opportunity with the entire Whitsons team to help contribute to SCO’s larger annual on-line gift collection. 

The team in Amityville UFSD, NY continued Whitsons’ support of One Warm Coat with a Coats for our Communities Drive in support of United North Amityville Youth Organization. The team collected and donated 25 coats, bringing Whitsons’ total number of coats collected to 581 for the overall Coats for our Communities Drive.

Additionally, several Whitsons teams showed their appreciation for the delivery drivers who are so vital to the everyday operations at their locations by participating in “Deliver Driver Goodies.”  Teams provided snacks and refreshments for the drivers to take with them on the road, with notes of appreciation for all they do throughout the year. 

Rick Cenicola, District Manager for the Long Island, NY region, said his teams’ participation “is a testament to the spirit of generosity and compassion that embodies the "Whitsons Way." It's wonderful to see how much can be accomplished when we all work together towards a common goal. The “Whitsons Way” is embodied in all our efforts both individually and collectively – it's not only the ability to deliver exceptional meals to our customers daily, but the willingness and ability to support our communities when in need. It’s the true spirit of hospitality.”

Rick’s thoughts perfectly summarize each team’s participation in our “Enhancing Life for the Holidays” initiatives. These contributions, as well as all other Enhancing Life Program initiatives, truly help make a positive impact in the communities we are proud to serve and represent the true spirit of the “Whitsons Way.”