NYCM Insurance
has always valued giving back to the community and the
holiday season has been known to foster a
little extra magic amongst our offices. While NYCM employees work incredibly
hard to make sure their families are ready to celebrate the holiday
season, they also work to make sure families within our communities are able to celebrate, too.
Continue
reading for an inside look at a few of the holiday outreach programs our employees run each
year!
Helping Hands
Helping
Hands is a
program all about giving back to our local communities. Jodi Hawes of our
underwriting team, and founder of Helping Hands has worked alongside
fellow devoted employees for 21 years to build the amazing program. Each
year, the Helping Hands team, made up of employees within our Edmeston
office, anonymously supports families in need through local organizations. The
program serves families throughout Otsego, Chenango,
Herkimer, Oneida, and Madison counties. NYCM employees donate funds and
items to the many fundraisers held throughout the season. “The NYCM family has
been very giving to us, matching all donations [at] 100%” states Jodi. “As a
mother I always tried to teach my kids the importance of giving back.
Look around -- there are so many in need, help them, give them hope. That
is what Helping Hands is trying to do.”
Helping
Hands partners
with organizations such as the Otsego County Department of Social Services,
Edmeston Rotary, West Winfield Rotary, Brookfield Central School, UV Central
School, Chase Nursing Home, Harding Nursing Home, ICAN, Feed Our Vets, Upstate
Cerebral Palsy, and West Hill Terrace in Edmeston.
While
the pandemic has influenced the program to
operate differently this year, Helping Hands has persevered to meet
their goals. Rather than shopping in person, all items were purchased online. In the past, our employee
acapella group Carols Carolers has helped deliver meals, as well as sing
Christmas carols to the residents of West Hill Terrace in Edmeston. Due to the
circumstances surrounding this year, there will be no caroling, however the
meals will continue to be delivered while maintaining a safe social distance.
“This is such a rewarding project that we do each year. We received many
heartfelt ‘Thank you's’.” Jodi continued. “Together the employees and NYCM have
made a difference”.
Christmas Cares
The
Sherburne Christmas Cares Project looks to provide Christmas joy to
children and their families in our communities. This program began in the
early 1990’s to support local Catholic Charities in aiding domestic abuse
victims. Since then, it has contributed to the Area Council of Churches,
Sherburne-Earlville Christmas Drive, as well as the Unadilla Valley School's
Christmas Project.
Preparations
for the holiday season begin early each year. Generally, the program would hold
themed fundraisers throughout the entire year to encourage participation. Chili
cook-offs, taco days, and basket raffles are just a few of the events thrown to
raise donations. “That money has always been generously matched by NYCM,”
recalled program leader, Kathy Wagner of our Special Investigations. Each
entity provides the program with a list of children that includes what they are
in need of and what they might want as a Christmas surprise. The volunteers then
begin shopping and wrapping. Families are also provided with gift cards to shop
for Christmas dinner.
This
initiative wouldn’t be successful without the volunteers of our Sherburne
office. Between organizing events, contributing funds, wrapping gifts, donating
goods, and donating cans and bottles, everyone at our Sherburne location plays
a huge part! Even the returnables from the office bin go toward
the cause! The Christmas Cares Planning
Committee is composed of several employees, and you can join in too! You
can bring your returnables to the Village Can and Bottle, located at 4 Canal St.
in Sherburne, NY, where an account is set up under "NYCM Insurance
Christmas Cares."
Despite
facing the challenges of COVID-19 and without the ability for traditional
fundraisers to run, the Sherburne Christmas Cares Project was able to
anonymously provide 43 children and their families with a way to celebrate
Christmas this year that they might not have had otherwise.
“It
means the world to me personally. I have spent the last 20-some-years involved
in this project in one way or another and it makes me feel very good to have
brought a bit of happiness to a whole bunch of children. Myself and my family
have been very blessed, so we try to give back in any small way we can,” said
Kathy. “Our inspiration has always been how grateful we are as employees to be
able to give back to our communities. I am going to speak for everyone in the
branch here - we are dedicated to this project and every single one of us has
done something to support it. That is the magic.”
Teaming Up With The Central New York Veteran's Outreach Center
The
NYCM Casualty department has been working with the Central New York Veteran’s
Outreach Center, located in Utica, NY, for the last year and a half. In
partnership with other local companies, the group was able to donate several
truckloads full of essential items, such as food, clothing, and furniture. In
the process of doing so, strong relationships have been formed with our local
veterans.
This
year, a Christmas tree has been decorated in their
honor at our Edmeston office and each of the 33 veterans have been sponsored for
the holiday season. “It is amazing to see how this has evolved into so much
more.” said NYCM senior casualty examiner, Amy Deforest. “People outside of the
casualty department, like claims, finance, underwriting and even people outside
of NYCM have donated to help our veterans.”
When
asked what they wanted for Christmas, many humbly requested items
to keep themselves warm: hats, gloves, and scarfs. Of course, the requests have
been filled. In addition, Team NYCM was able to take it one step further and
create a personal experience for each Veteran. “One of our veterans suffers
from PTSD and has a service animal, so we were able to include cat toys and
food for his feline friend.” Amy explained. “There are two veterans who
happen to be very talented artists and will be surprised on Christmas morning
with art sets that have been donated by Golden Artist Colors. A family
that has fallen on hard times and now lives in the facility will get to
surprise their young son with a set of Legos that he’s been coveting. He and
his family will also be surprised with children’s books, games, and much more!”
“COVID-19
may have changed the way we have to do things this year, but clearly is no
match for our Christmas spirit,” said Amy, when asked how the pandemic has affected the
program.
When
we are able to gather again, the team looks forward to having a local barbecue
with the upstanding men and women who have fought and served our country.
Giving Back Through Mitscoots for the Second Year!
In
the spirit of giving back, NYCM has decided to partner with Mitscoots Outfitters again! This year, NYCM
employees were gifted with a voucher to be used at Miscoots.com, who will be matching each purchase with an item of equal quality
to go to someone in need!
Mitscoots
Outfitters, based in Austin, Texas, who makes 100% American-sourced and
manufactured gear, is dedicated to providing items of clothing to those in need
and jobs for those who have been displaced.
According
to the company website, inspiration for the business model struck while
volunteering in their local community. Alongside food and water there was a
constant need for basics, such as clean socks. “It was such a simple thing that
is often taken for granted by most of us.” Employee referrals come from local
shelters and placement agencies. Rotational employees are paid per pair of
socks packaged, which gives them the opportunity to work at their own pace and
have more control over their schedules and incomes. Mitscoots states that this
always results in well over minimum wage.
“Our
goal at Mitscoots is to create a system where individuals can make a fair wage
and be a part of something bigger.”
To
learn more about Mitscoots and their mission, click the link below!
