At Commonwealth, we’re known and recognized for taking great care of our employees. And our employees take great care of our community. It’s exactly the kind of positive cycle of investment that we’re thrilled to create.
Over the last six years, our company has contributed over $500,000 to local and national non-profit organizations. But for us, it’s not just about the money. As a family owned, community focused business, hands-on giving is important to our management and our team members. Our entire team loves giving back in a tangible way, with results that have a direct impact on our neighbors. Our local giving is especially visible at this time of year, but we strongly believe in giving back to out community year round.
Thinking Local
Rather than just helping with financial contributions (although we think that’s important too!) our employees like to participate in programs that allow them to really get involved and engaged in our community. We participate in local programs where we can see the impact of our contributions. And it’s not about tooting our own horn: we see a need and want to help—it’s as simple as that.
This year for the holiday season, we are focusing on four local charities. We’ll donate over $10,000 in needed items (from toys to food) directly to local children and families. Here are a few examples of our local giving:
Commonwealth Giving Back: Loudoun County Transitional Housing
We are proud to support the families at this amazing facility that provides safe and stable shelter for homeless families and women as they move toward permanent housing in Loudoun. Each year during the holidays, our employees provide clothing and toys for the super kids who make their home at the transitional housing facility.
Commonwealth Giving Back: For Love of Children
This non-profit provides extra educational services to low income children in Washington, DC and West Virginia, with the goal of helping them overcome obstacles and putting them on a path to educational success. In addition to serving as volunteer tutors with FLOC, our employees enjoy giving toys to FLOC participants during the holidays to help make the season brighter for these young people working hard to succeed in school.
Commonwealth Giving Back: Backpack Buddies
This amazing program provides weekend food supplies for children who receive free and reduced price lunch at school. Each child receives a backpack filled with meals every weekend during the school year. Commonwealth partners with Rolling Ridge Elementary School, located near our Virginia headquarters (where more than 60 percent of students receive free and reduced price lunches) to help children in our own community and their families have nutritious meals throughout the week. We are proud to be involved with this program throughout the school year.
Commonwealth Giving Back: Salvation Army of Loudoun County
The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program is one of our holiday favorites. This program allows us to “adopt” multiple children in our area, providing them with holiday toys tailored to their age and needs. Our employees love shopping for our young neighbors in need and knowing that our gifts will help all local families have the happiest of holidays.
Commonwealth Giving Back: Humane Society of the United States
Our employees are animal lovers, and we care deeply about our four-legged friends. We actively support the Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax humane societies with both financial contributions and needed supplies. It’s important to remember that animals, like children, are some of the most vulnerable members of society, and we do our best to make sure they’re cared for and loved.
Doing Good And Doing Well
Commonwealth is consistently rated one of the best places to work in the DC area. We know that part of the reason for this honor is our engagement in our community. Doing good makes you feel good. The science backs this up, and we our employees are living it every day. And recognition is not the goal—we simply see a need and work to address it, in much the same way that we address the needs of our customers every day with a sense of commitment and purpose.
Wishing you very happy holidays from the Commonwealth Team!