By Cortney Walden, Senior Human Resources Generalist
Community involvement and impact are important aspects of our culture here at MicroAge. Our ActTogether initiative offers associates a chance to make a difference in the communities where they work and live.
Each quarter, our ActTogether focus provides an opportunity for the organization and associates to participate in charitable initiatives such as organized drives, donations, and volunteer activities.
Throughout 2023, our passionate team members across the country embraced ActTogether with enthusiasm, making a real difference in the lives of those in need. Here’s an overview of some of the highlights from each quarter.
ActTogether Q1 Focus: Bringing Comfort to the Unhoused by Fulfilling Wish List Items:
The year began with a focus on the unhoused population. We worked with Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) [https://www.cassaz.org/], Arizona’s largest and longest-serving emergency shelter program serving people experiencing homelessness, to collect and assemble care kits. The kits contained wish list items and necessities that CASS distributes to those in need throughout our communities. This act of kindness provided much-needed comfort and support to individuals facing challenging circumstances.
ActTogether Q2 Focus: Nourishing Little Tummies with Feed My Starving Children:
During the second quarter, we rolled up our sleeves and got hands-on with Feed My Starving Children [https://www.fmsc.org/], an organization providing nutritious meals to vulnerable children around the world. Our associates volunteered at the facility, packaging food that would reach countless children in need. Feed My Starving Children operates on the belief that no child should go hungry, and their work provides a vital lifeline for communities facing food insecurity.
ActTogether Q3 Focus: Empowering the Youth with Boys & Girls Club:
During the third quarter, our ActTogether initiative focused on supporting the Boys & Girls Club [https://www.bgca.org/], an organization dedicated to empowering youth by providing safe and positive spaces for learning, development, and growth. Our associates actively participated in community fundraising efforts and the annual poker night, showcasing their commitment to the cause. Additionally, several associates across the nation stepped up to become Big Brothers/Big Sisters, making a lasting impact on the lives of young people.
ActTogether Q4 Focus: Spreading Holiday Cheer with Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Central and Northern Arizona:
The year ended on a heartwarming note with our partnership with RMHC [https://rmhccnaz.org/], which provides a “home-away-from-home” that offers a haven of comfort and support to families with sick children undergoing medical treatment. Over 30 MicroAge volunteers and their families joined forces with Veeam to brighten the holidays for the families staying at the local RMHC facilities. In November, associates volunteered their time to serve a delicious meal and prepare several desserts for 65 individuals receiving services at RMHC.
The spirit of giving carried through to December, with the MicroAge team providing gift bags for five families undergoing extensive stays. The bags included essential comfort items such as blankets, socks, and undergarments, providing a sense of warmth and care for families in need, as well as a special gift or toy for the child. However, as the need to support more families at RMHC grew, the team was able to provide bags for more than 100 children and their families at RMHC. MicroAge partners such as NetApp and Veeam stepped up to help by donating gifts to support the extended efforts. Thanks to the generosity of these partners and all of the MicroAge departments, our team ensured the RMHC families had a memorable holiday season.
Engaging Families in Giving Back
ActTogether goes beyond our associates. We actively encourage our associates’ families to participate together in these compassion-in-action fundraising and volunteering activities. This fosters a culture of giving back that extends beyond the workplace, creating a positive impact that ripples throughout our communities.
As we move forward, MicroAge remains committed to making a difference through ActTogether. We are excited to see what new opportunities for giving back await us in 2024!
By understanding the missions of the organizations we support, we can better appreciate the impact our contributions make. We encourage you to visit the websites of each of our quarterly charities to learn more about their work and consider ways you can get involved in your own community.
Quarterly Focus Charities 2023:
Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) https://www.cassaz.org/
Feed My Starving Children https://www.fmsc.org/
Boys & Girls Club https://www.bgca.org/
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central and Northern Arizona https://rmhccnaz.org/
“Cortney is a Senior Human Resources Generalist at MicroAge, helping oversee programs like the ActTogether community involvement program and contributing to what makes MicroAge one of the Best Places to Work.”
Cortney WaldenSenior Human Resources Generalist
