This holiday season RELiON is thankful for the opportunity to support nonprofit partners and our local communities. Our motto, Challenge Your Limits, reflects our philosophy to push yourself to greatness, and this year at RELiON we challenged ourselves to continue using our business for good through our support of 1% for Planet nonprofit partners and initiatives that impact the communities in which we live. This year we celebrated one year of being a 1% for the Planet business member. As a member of 1% for the Planet, we donate 1% of annual revenue each year to environmental nonprofits focusing on some of the world's most pressing environmental issues. This year we also challenged ourselves to bring our Limitless Blue initiative more internal and found ways for employees to be involved on an individual basis.
How We're Supporting 1% Nonprofits
We couldn’t do it alone, our nonprofit partners are the real heroes, doing the tough work each day. Our nonprofit partners range in focus from ocean conservation to women's empowerment, and even farming and helping people develop healthy habits. We are proud to have supported some amazing organizations this year, such as the Rozalia Project and Everybody Solar.
We are also thrilled to begin supporting some of these new organizations:
- ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) is a nonprofit based in Asheville, North Carolina. Their mission is to help local farms thrive by connecting farmers to markets and supporters and to build healthy communities through connections to local food. ASAP has three primary programs, the Local Food Campaign, Growing Minds Farm to School Program, and the Local Food Research Center. RELiON is thrilled to support ASAP’s Growing Minds program. This program provides training and resources to educators to create positive local food and farm experiences that promote health and education for children.
- GrowGood is an LA-based urban farm located across the street from the Salvation Army Bell Shelter. This farm is unique because residents from the Bell shelter are invited to work on the farm and are compensated for their time. The produce harvested from the farm is then given to the Bell shelter to help feed the residents. RELiON is excited to enter into this partnership by sponsoring a new work shed on the farm. We will also be supporting the wellness program for residents of the Bell Shelter.
- Wine to Water started in 2004 when founder Doc Hendley learned about the world's water crisis. Wine To Water is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting life and dignity for all through the power of clean water. Not only does Wine to Water educate communities about safe sanitation practices, but they also have a unique filter build program in which volunteers help build filters that are then used during disaster relief, sustainable programs, and in the wash partner network. RELiON will also be facilitating a filter build event for employees in early December.
- Carolina Raptor Center has a mission that includes environmental education, the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors, and environmental stewardship. The organization's science education programs serve over 27,000 students each year in formal education settings. On property, there is a ¾ mile Raptor Trail and environmental education center. Carolina Raptor Center is in the process of expanding this trail and a new welcome center was just recently built. RELiON is excited to be a part of Carolina Raptor Center's expansion and will be sponsoring a new enclosure for a Red-Tailed Hawk. Some members of the RELiON team are also looking forward to helping build the actual enclosure in a few months.
How We’re Supporting Giving Tuesday
This year for Giving Tuesday we have partnered with Everybody Solar and ASAP to help match donations that they receive on this day. Giving Tuesday falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and is a global generosity movement encouraging people to do good and give back. The money that Everybody Solar is able to raise will go towards one of their current projects which include the Sulzbacher Center in NE Florida and the St. Frances center in Denver. The money that ASAP raises will help fund one of their many programs such as Growing Minds. We are excited to be able to continue supporting these two organizations m and their missions.
How We’re Impacting Our Local Communities
RELiON also strives to give back in ways outside of our 1% for the Planet partnership so that we can focus on our immediate communities. Last year, RELiON employees participated in a winter coat drive, and this year we hosted a food drive. Employees were able to either make a physical donation to a local food pantry or they were able to fulfill a pantry’s Amazon wish list and have items delivered directly to the pantry. This year will also be RELiON’s second year sponsoring a family in Charlotte, NC for Christmas. By sponsoring a family, we ensure that every family member receives a gift for Christmas from their wish list.
If you or your business are looking to do more in your community and give back, there are many ways to get involved. As an individual, finding a local organization that resonates with you is the perfect way to start. For example, animal shelters are always in search of new volunteers and food banks are usually willing to accept donations (just make sure to check their website first to see their most in need items). As a company, becoming a business member of 1% for the Planet is a great option as it allows you to build a lot of connections at once. However, if that seems like too big of a leap to start, finding a local organization or event that your company can sponsor is a wonderful way to give back locally while also getting your company name out there.
To learn more about our nonprofit partners and the work we do with them visit our activism page.