Category Archives: CEO Blog
Letting Four Year-olds Lead the way!
CEO BLOG:
17 November, 2017 at Acushnet, Massachusetts
Jim Stevens
CEO and Founder, GiftsToGive
OK – so it started off as a regular Wednesday morning.
I woke up, made my coffee and squeezed my orange juice, got on the elliptical bike, did my six miles, got in the shower, dressed and sat in my den to read the overnight dispatches and review the calendar and my things to do list for the day.
The morning I had been waiting for was here! An 8:45am meeting with a 4th grade class to talk about philanthropy.
I arrived at the Elementary School on time and was escorted to the basement. I knew something was up, that something was wrong, because the last time I was there to talk to the 4th grade they took me upstairs. Upon arrival in the basement, I was introduced to a pre-school class of 4 year-olds! Oops! I had the 4 correct, but it was an age designation, not a grade level. Twenty minutes later, I had twenty new friends and future voters, parents, leaders and philanthropists. I left feeling like it was the best morning I have had, so far, all year!
November 15 is National Philanthropy Day!
CEO OPINION:
15 November, 2017 at Acushnet, Massachusetts
Jim Stevens
CEO and Founder, GiftsToGive
November 15 is National Philanthropy Day. I am in the philanthropy business, so it is only right that I say something. Or maybe not (smiling).
Sometimes I think I’m better off if I stop talking and listen more. So, I am going to refer you to something I wrote three years ago and stop talking/typing.
Building a more caring community by becoming “un-stuck”
Family Thieves
This is a sad story.
For the last several weeks we’ve been experiencing a total mess, on our drop-off deck, when we come in on Mondays. Every single bag or box that was dropped off on Sunday when we were closed, had been opened or upended and a total mess. It was raining and a large percentage of the donations that were scattered were ruined. When we looked at the video recordings, we found a family of four thieves. An older adult female, a teen female, a young boy and an even younger little girl. We have the license tag, from another security camera, but hope we are able to resolve this directly with the family rather than to file a criminal complaint.
Why it is so sad for us is; besides the stealing – the mess they left was ruined when it started to rain. Then of course there are the children are being educated about thieving! Taking something because you need it is one thing, destroying the balance is shameful, not to mention the possibility of selling it at a flea market or yard sale.
If you know the family, please let us know – or ask them to call our CEO, Jim Stevens at 508-717-8715 x 111. (Clear images of the older two females are at 1:30 and 1:50)
Listening to Deborah Bright
How to deliver criticism so employees pay attention.
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Nicole Long, one of our earliest adopters wrote last week – “SO PROUD of my niece Abby and her cousin Georgia: over Christmas vacation they brainstormed a charitable organization called “GAB” and collected over $100 in one weekend to help people less fortunate. This morning, Abby gave me the money… (Which is being matched by their Grandmother Blair!) to deliver to GiftsToGive and I can’t think of a more beautiful start to a new year. Love these girls and their giant hearts.”
