At Sassafras we strive to grow our impact on the communities where we live, work, and play. Sassafras Sleigh Team is a program that enables our employees who live all over the country to harness the holiday spirit of giving within their community. This project is something Sassafras employees are very passionate about. It is not just about donations, but actively participating in the giving process. Employees were allotted money to make ripple(s) in their community. Check out our 2022 Sassafras Sleigh Team highlights.
Tamie (Sassafras Account Director) purchased items off a wish list for a single mother living in the Kansas City area. This single mother recently got her kids back from the foster care system and started a new job. While this mother was working hard to provide a new life for her children, she needed help obtaining a few items for rebuilding her family this Holiday season. “Thanks to the Sassafras Sleigh Team program, I was able to help her obtain these items which will help provide a stable life and a fresh start for this family.”
Liz (Sassafras Account Director) participates in a local foster care charity program that partners with her church every year in her community of South Carolina. This foster care charity creates “Journey Bags” for kids to take with them as they move from foster home to foster home. Currently, there are 4,000 kids in the foster care system in South Carolina. “Each year my husband and I love getting involved in this project and putting together bookbags/duffle bags filled with toys, hygiene products, clothes, and Christmas wish-list items for these kids (ranging in age from newborns to teenagers). With the extra funds provided by the Sassafras Sleigh Team, we were able to provide more bags and items for these children.”
Bailey (Sassafras Graphic Designer) used her Sassafras Sleigh Team funds to purchase cat and dog food for Unleashed Pet Shelter in Mission, Kansas. Unleashed is run solely on donations from the public, every dollar or item donated has a monumental impact on the lives of the countless animals that are in need of help and hope for a better life. Bailey and her husband delivered these wish-list items to Unleashed and spent some time snuggling with some adorable puppies at the shelter. “I was so excited to have this wonderful opportunity. Unleashed holds a special place in my heart. This shelter is where my husband and I adopted our dog, Zeus. It is a no-kill shelter for bully-breed dogs, which is the breed of our dog.”
Jenny Holton (Founder/CEO) and Geoff Holton (President) donated to the Fore the Kids foundation. Fore the Kids Foundation strives to make an impact on the mental health of children ranging from toddlers to teens in the Kansas City area. Their vision is to help every kid smile from the enjoyment of life and support positive mental health through improving community awareness and advocating access to high-quality care and research. Funds are dedicated to the Children’s Mercy Hospital mental health department.
Jenny and Geoff are big supporters of Children’s Mercy. “Ever since our middle child fell out of a tree and landed for an overnight stay at Children’s Mercy on Christmas Eve (many years ago) we have been fans of the staff and culture. We were blown away by the extent each individual went to ensure smiles on Christmas morning. When we learned of Fore the Kids and its connection with Children’s Mercy and their joint mission to make difference in the lives of KC families, we knew it was a great organization to support. Thanks to all those (staff, board, volunteers…) that work tirelessly to create these smiles every day.” Jenny and Geoff will be attending and representing Sassafras Marketing at the Lifting Spirits event for the Fore the Kids foundation on January 19th.
The Sassafras Sleigh Team had a busy holiday season! We look forward to this tradition every year and cannot wait to highlight more of our special giving moments throughout the year of 2023.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!