By Alexandra Hanson
This year marks National Life Group’s 170th anniversary, and we find ourselves reflecting on what exactly has made this company so successful for so long. The initial and immediate answer to this question is the employees. Everyone who works here is motivated, hardworking, and truly tries to align their actions with our corporate values to Do Good. Be Good. Make Good. And while their work in the office has no doubt kept this company thriving, their work outside of the office has arguably done the same.
Most everyone has heard of an EVP (Employee Volunteer Program) or at least has knowledge of the concept of one. Here at National Life Group, we encourage our employees to get out and do good in their communities, and we do so by offering everyone 40 hours of company-paid volunteer time annually. Now this is not a novel concept. Most companies have different variations of a similar program. And while we can’t prove that our employees would still volunteer regardless of any incentives, we do know that they get a great sense of joy from serving others – their customers, their communities, and each other.
So far this year, 241 National Life employees have contributed nearly 2,000 hours of service to more than 20 non-profit organizations in our communities. A little over 1,000 of these hours were completed in just seven days during our annual Spring Volunteer Week. So, in the spirit of our anniversary and in celebration of our employees, here are a few spotlights of National Life employees who have found a mission and a purpose through their volunteer work.
Minh Pham
I contribute financially and in volunteer time to Meals on Wheels and the North Texas Food Bank because food is such a basic necessity and hunger is a pervasive problem in our own community.
I also donate and volunteer for the Wounded Warriors Project, where the reason for giving is more personal. I want to spread kindness since our family experienced the support that allowed us to recover from the devastating effects of war where one brother was wounded, and another was killed. I felt that our family also owed our safe journey to the U.S. over 40 years ago to the brave U.S. Marines.
This photo shows me volunteering at the North Texas Food Bank Distribution Center (NTFB) along with other Texas campus members. The team boxed 18,200 pounds of food which would provide senior homebound citizens with 15,167 meals.
Justin Tease
Last fall I joined the volunteer committee to become more purposefully involved in National Life’s tactical volunteer initiatives. This Spring, I helped to coordinate the overall Doodle sign-up process that helped to connect National Life volunteers with the various volunteer opportunities that were available for National Life’s volunteer week. I’ve always thought that those that have the time and capacity to help others should try to do so and National Life makes that easy to do with its 40 hr/year volunteer policy. I chose to volunteer with the Montpelier Parks and Recreation Department. The department is making improvements to Hubbard Park here in Montpelier. As a Montpelier resident, I wanted to make a local impact – and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to work outdoors for a day.
Jessica Ball
I am originally from this lovely, quaint, small capital of Montpelier. After having been gone for many years I moved back home and eventually was lucky enough to get a job here at National Life Group. It was refreshing to work for a company that was very focused on their local communities and how not only they as a company can help but that they encouraged their employees to give their time to help as well.
I ended up volunteering for Montpelier’s July 3rd Festival the first summer I started at National Life Group. We had been given a half day off that day, so I ended up volunteering all day at the festival. Montpelier Alive, which National Life Group supports, coordinates this event and asked me to head up the Volunteer Coordination for the next year’s festival. I really enjoyed the opportunity to give back to my community, to be a part of something that so many community members attend each year. I ended up taking the position as the Volunteer Coordinator for Montpelier Alive full time (for 3 years) for all the events that they do or help coordinate. I truly enjoy having this great opportunity to get to know more of my community members as well as give back to the greater community as whole, simply by giving my time. Of all the places I have lived, Vermont is unique in its “neighbor helping neighbor” small town communities and I am proud to be a part of a company that lives the same values.
Darryl Garland
I volunteered for the day with the Friends of the Winooski conservation group, helping plant trees to stop erosion along one of the river’s tributaries. The reason I slogged around digging holes was not altogether altruistic, however. I went to get my hands dirty. I appreciate the benefits of working in a climate-controlled building, where the gravest danger might be spilling coffee on myself. To get out of this comfort zone is essential to growth, though. And getting down and dirty with a dozen teammates I may not even know is also the best way to grow relationships across the company. While it was great to get paid to do good for the environment, it was just as beneficial to me.
David Soccodato
In May I joined my team and some invited colleagues to work at the Farm at VYCC (Vermont Youth Conservation Corps) in Richmond. I believe that how we grow food is foundational to supporting a balanced ecology; from providing nourishment for well-being, to sustainably maintaining our natural resources, and promoting local economy. The growers at VYCC have developed a Health Care Share program which allows them to deliver health-giving food to those with dietary needs through connections with local medical providers. The intent is to proactively address healthcare needs through improved nutrition. VYCC has created a wonderful program that also offers young people solid work and leadership experience while keeping an historic farm in working condition.
As much as I support the mission of the Farm at VYCC, in all honesty, I enjoy the work as much as anything else. On that day we prepped an entire greenhouse, planted several rows of early starts in another, and sorted vegetables for delivery. Many hands did indeed make light work. Our team tries to volunteer together a few times during the year, and we often will invite colleagues to join us. It’s a great way to connect outside of work, develop relationships, and provide some support for our community. What I am most proud of, is that time and again, our National Life teams work hard when they volunteer. They truly get things done for the organization, no matter what it is.