The Following Years
The fourth season of Happy Holidays Giving Trees is approaching, and some modifications to the program have been made. In the second year, employees were allowed to buy any gift they wanted for the children, rather than limiting themselves to fitness items. The shelter also provided a list of items that the children needed. If people bought items that were on a certain child’s wish list, a tag was attached to the gift so it was easily identified by the shelter staff when the presents were dropped off. So many children were on the list in 1995 that a paper tree on a bulletin board near the artificial pine tree was needed to accommodate all the tags. That year, gifts for almost 70 children were provided. One of our divisions that had ownership in a motion picture company provided each child with a cassette tape soundtrack from a popular kid’s movie.
Last year, a detailed wish list from the shelter was provided to us, and the items were written on the tree tags along with the child’s name and age. Again, the tags were attached to the gifts as they were received so that each child received the appropriate gift. Employees also started asking more detailed questions about each child so they could provide the child with a culturally appropriate gift. For example, an African American child might appreciate a black Barbie Doll instead of a white Barbie Doll. Close to 60 children received gifts that they wanted in 1996 through the program.
Concluding Thoughts
The partnership with the shelter has worked well (we are even in their mentoring program), and it makes us feel good that we can give something back to the community. While most people don’t start community outreach programs for their own gain, starting such a program can benefit your health club whether it’s private or public. In addition to the internal satisfaction, you can build community among members, increase club loyalty and generate positive media exposure.
Tags: children, health club, soundtrack