As the holiday season comes and goes quickly every year, the Mr. John and Russell Reid companies are very thankful and appreciative to those valued clients who have chosen us to serve them. Since the holidays are a time of giving, the Mr. John and Russell Reid companies dedicate themselves to show their gratitude and support to the programs that benefit those in need of help in our surrounding communities. The company strongly believes in giving back to those who help make a difference for others.
In 2009, when the recession was at its worst, the company started a tradition. Instead of sending out expensive holiday cards and candy baskets to our most valued customers, we decided to give one big gift to a charity that could use the money to benefit others. So, every year a raffle is held around the holiday season that allows all the employees to submit a charity in which they believe would be the most deserving. The chosen charity receives a donation from the company as a holiday gift and a token of appreciation.
This year’s winner was the Canine Hearing Companions, Inc. nominated by Franklin Brooks, our Deptford, NJ Yard and Shop Supervisor. Friends of Canine Hearing Companions are the only Hearing Dog Center in the Tri State Area. They train rescue dogs from shelters to be the “ears” for the deaf and hard of hearing. They also train dogs to serve in medic alert capacities (to detect seizures, diabetic and angina attacks), as well as emotional support dogs.
Franklin says, “The reason I nominated Canine Hearing Companions, Inc. is my appreciation for service dogs. Also, this particular organization has helped a fellow employee, Lisa D’Alessandro’s grandmother, who is legally deaf. The organization has been a blessing for the D’Alessandro family. After hearing how much they have helped a local person in need, I gladly chose Canine Hearing Companions”.
Debby Schaser, a member of the Canine Hearing Companions, Inc. organization expresses her appreciation by saying, “I am speechless, I cannot tell you how much this will help our organization in helping others. Thank you so much, I am speechless and have tears of joy!” The Mr. John and Russell Reid companies are thrilled to have been able to bring such happiness to the organization.
In addition to our donation to the Canine Hearing Companions, Inc., we also made donations to the following charities in the wake of the recent Hurricane Sandy disaster: Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, American Red Cross (New Jersey Chapter), United Way “Rebuild Monmouth” Fund, UJA Federation of New York Relief Fund, and Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
Both the Russell Reid and Mr. John companies have been closely involved in the emergency work that has risen due to the damage, destruction, and devastation that Superstorm Sandy has left behind. We have been called on to provide temporary restrooms, roll-off containers for debris, catch basin and storm sewer cleaning, basement pump outs, etc. Our involvement in the restoration and clean-up from the disaster left a soft spot for those who have been significantly impacted. We decided, as a company, to make donations to these charities to help people get back on their feet. We want to show our support to those who are working around the clock to help rebuild the wake that Sandy has left.
The Mr. John and Russell Reid Companies are aware that we have a lot of work ahead of us, but remain positive and excited about what the future has to bring us. We believe that showing a small token of appreciation to those who are helping others will only positively affect our business. We thank everyone for supporting our charity raffle and donations.
