I don’t know about you, but I can hardly believe that the holidays are almost here! Amidst the chaos of the holiday shopping season it is so easy to think about what WE want…whether that is a designer handbag, home décor or a new car. (Wait—is that just me?)

But, the holidays always have a way of inspiring a sense of generosity that sometimes overshadows that feeling of want. People seem remarkably enthused to give of their time and money to organizations in need around the holidays.

At Borshoff, we have donated to United Way of Central Indiana for the past 20 years and have been named a “United Way Company That Cares” for 17 years. UWCI is important to Indianapolis and a cause that is near to our hearts here at Borshoff. In fact, before Thanksgiving, we’re hoping to get 100 percent employee participation in a United Way “giving” campaign.

If you feel like you may be catching the generosity bug, here are a few things you can do:

• Decide if you’d like to help an organization that is local or national. Some helpful websites for getting started include DoSomething.org and VolunteerMatch.org.
• Choose whether you will give of your time, money or both. Then decide on a dollar and/or time amount and stick to it (for the year…or just for the holidays).
• Compile a list of organizations your colleagues or friends support and use that as a starting point when choosing an organization that interests you.
• Notice upcoming events, such as walks, runs or festivals, which always need more volunteers. These are usually a lot of fun, too!

Personally, I give my time and money to a couple animal advocacy groups in Indianapolis. Sometimes I get the itch to give a little more around the holidays. But, volunteering in general is always a wholesome source of cheer—no matter the season! What are you GIVING this holiday season?

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
At all the times you can,
In all the ways you can,
To all the people you can,
As ever long as you can.”
-John Wesley

Here’s why you should…

Today marks the sixth annual Ronald McDonald House of Indiana Pop Tab Drop. Staff and volunteers from the House are convening until 2 p.m. at Monument Circle to collect pop tabs.

The effort raises money to benefit families with seriously ill or injured children who are staying at Riley Hospital. This is the second year Borshoff has participated in the Pop Tab Drop.

Pop tabs seem small, but they make a huge impact. The dollars raised by recycling the tabs total between $50,000 and $70,000 annually. That covers the cost of three rooms at Ronald McDonald House of Indiana for an entire year and helps countless families of sick kids.

Tabs can be donated year round, not just at the annual Pop Tab Drop, and anyone can donate. The House also accepts donations of food, toiletries, paper goods and many other items that are needed by the nearly 1,500 families it helps each year. Plus, volunteers are needed to serve meals and perform other functions at the House.

Jennifer Young Dzwonar, one of Borshoff’s principals, is a long-time board member and former chair at Ronald McDonald House of Indiana, and Andrea Farmer, an account manager at Borshoff, regularly volunteers at the House.

To learn more about Ronald McDonald House of Indiana and ways you can help, visit www.rmh-indiana.org.

I never cease to be amazed at the generosity of my coworkers. Every year, Borshoff holds a pledge drive securing donations for United Way and its community agencies. And every year, Borshoff staff proves themselves more generous and thoughtful than the last.

For 15 years, Borshoff has earned the “Company that Cares” designation from United Way. We’re in the midst of our annual campaign and looking strong to earn that designation for a 16th straight year. To do so, Borshoff staff must show they care for the community with more than just their pocketbooks.

On August 28, two Borshoff staff members took time out of their busy schedules to participate in United Way’s annual Day of Caring. Kassie Mills and Margaux Childers volunteered their time at the Jordan branch of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. As part of the “Brighten up the Environment” project, they planted shrubs along a pedestrian path that leads from the YMCA facility to the Monon Trail. Kassie, being unfamiliar with gardening, took this as a great opportunity to learn how to properly use a shovel!

Yesterday, Borshoff held a company-wide bake sale to raise additional funds for United Way. Staff were invited to bake and contribute their favorite baked good, and also to spend a couple dollars purchasing and enjoying the baked goods. And, we’re certainly a company that likes our sweets – we raised more than $200!

In so many ways, Borshoff truly is a company that cares. Serving as campaign co-coordinator for my third year, I’m lucky to be part of such a great tradition.