As we approach the Holiday Season and prepare to enjoy family and friends over Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is also a time to remember those that need our assistance, sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances, including health issues. While Thanksgiving is a time that many think about giving back, the help is needed all year long. Helping others can translate into volunteering at a homeless or animal shelter, spending a day golfing for a charity’s tournament, or donating needed items or money to keep a charity operating.
I am especially proud of my colleagues here at The Traffic Group – everyone makes a concerted effort to get involved in something and give back in a variety of ways, despite job and family responsibilities that keep us all busy. During the 2015 holiday season, we conducted a coat drive and gave generous clothing donations to the Helping Up Mission. Then, we collected cash from the employees and The Traffic Group matched the donation to help the Harford Family House, which is the largest provider of transitional housing for homeless families with children in Harford County. Our funds went towards starting their music program for the children and purchasing musical instruments. We were also one of the top sponsors in Dailey/Logsdon Memorial Golf Tournament at Mountain Branch, which honored Harford County’s fallen Deputies in the line of duty.
Since it’s November, some of us are currently participating in the No Shave November, which means we are looking a little rough while we grow our mustaches and beards to raise awareness for cancer. We continue – individually and as a company – to give back as much as we can though donations or volunteer time.
Believe me, I know it’s hard to carve out time to help. Even if you have the desire, finding the time is a challenge. I personally got started with my philanthropy efforts through my love for golf and participating in charity events. The more I attended these events, the more I wanted to help others in need. I truly love to help organizations that help children. The children I have meet over the years at various events just pulls at your heart strings and makes you want to do more and more. As an example, I remember attending a Bull and Oyster Roast for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Man & Women of the Year Competition in 2009 and was overwhelmed with gratefulness to see the amount of giving throughout the night by so many individuals, all trying to find a cure for cancer. Afterwards, I became directly involved with LLS and helped a friend run for Man of the Year. Then in 2012, I ran for LLS Man of the Year and with the help of The Traffic Group, co-workers, family and friends, my team was able to raise over $60,000 in 10 weeks! I became very close with the 2012 Boy of the Year and his great family and I already knew the Girl of the Year and her family – it was such a pleasure working with both of them. With the help of a friend at MASN, we were able to have both of these kids throw out the first pitch at an Oriole Game, something we will never forget and was a truly a highlight of that year.
Keep in mind, by helping someone – whether human or animal – in need, you will not only make their lives more enjoyable but you will find yourself feeling happier and uplifted as well.