Celebrating Community:
Across the Nation, DFA Employees Lend a Hand
posted 12/24/2010
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Throughout this holiday
season, employees of Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) have worked to
demonstrate the Cooperative’s value of community. Employees from across the
country opened their hearts (and wallets) to help those in need in the
communities DFA serves.
Kansas City Headquarters and Central Area
Through activities such as a soup day, bake sale,
jeans days and a chili cook-off contest, more than $5,000 was raised for Synergy
Services, an organization that assists women and children who are victims of
abuse. The money collected was used to purchase toys and clothing that were used
by Synergy Services in their holiday store, where families in need select items
from the store to give as holiday presents.
In addition, employees donated six boxes of
household and other personal care items and purchased more than 175 Angel Tree
items (toys, clothes, books, etc.) for Synergy’s holiday store. The DFA
donation is the largest the group receives each year during the holiday season.
Mideast Area
Employees at the Medina, Ohio, office for DFA’s
Mideast Area raised funds through a Christmas tree raffle. For several years,
former Board member Connie Finton has donated a decorated Christmas tree, with
proceeds from the raffle benefitting a DFA member in need.
Southeast Area
In the Knoxville, Tenn., office, employees filled
several barrels with food and household items for the Mission of Hope, an
organization that assists people in need in the Appalachian area. In addition,
the employees raised more than $5,500, which was divided among many
Knoxville-area organizations including Second Harvest, Knoxville Area Rescue
Mission, The Empty Stocking Fund, Angel Tree, Meals on Wheels, The Salvation
Army, The East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Love Kitchen and the Weigel’s
Milk Fund.
Northeast Area
In lieu of sending holiday cards, the Northeast Area
staff made a donation to Heifer International, an organization dedicated to
working with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.
Employees also participated in the Syracuse-based
Christmas Bureau collection, sponsored by the Salvation Army, and donated food
items, toys and clothing for those in need.
Southwest Area
Members of the Southwest Area office in Clovis,
N.M., supplied milk and ice cream for a holiday party for 30 children who
currently have a parent deployed from Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis. The
children were also given a coupon for a free package of Borden®
cheese.
Springfield Locations
Employees at DFA locations in Springfield, Mo.,
(including the Springfield Plant, Springfield Research and Development, Tampa
Street Offices and Community Financial Credit Union) host fundraising events
year-round, including bake sales, book sales, an annual chili cook-off and a
themed basket raffle with the proceeds benefitting local first-grade students
with a Shoe Box Santa Program. Through this program, proceeds help fill
backpacks with gloves, hats and ear warmers. In addition, the students received
a game, toy, coloring books, a $20 gift card to a local grocery store and more.
The employees also collected non-perishable food and
household items for Isabel’s House, a nursery where people who find themselves
in a crisis situation can take their children for immediate refuge.
Hughson Plant
Employees at DFA’s plant in Hughson, Calif.,
participated in a food drive for the Hughson Community Service Center. Two
barrels of non-perishable food items were collected.
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