At Gerhard's Appliances, we believe in more than just selling top-quality appliances. We're committed to making a positive difference in our community, a commitment embodied in our annual "Gerhard's Appliances Gives Back" initiative. This year, we've been privileged to participate in several charitable activities, touching lives and strengthening communities across the Philadelphia area. Let's dive into the details of our 2023 efforts.
Habitat for Humanity: Building Hope, One Home at a Time
From January to April, our team dedicated their time and efforts to support Habitat for Humanity in Bucks and Chester Counties. Each week, 2-3 of our employees volunteered for 4 hours at Habitat’s Restore locations. These stores play a crucial role in funding Habitat's mission to construct and repair affordable homes. Our team's hands-on involvement in such a noble cause has been both humbling and inspiring.
Beds for Kids: Ensuring Sweet Dreams for Every Child
March was a special month for us as we partnered with OHAAT for their Beds for Kids program. This initiative is close to our hearts, focusing on ending child bedlessness to improve health and wellbeing. All our locations served as drop-off points for essential bedding items, and we hosted a no-sew blanket making party. The culmination was heartwarming – we delivered 12 new mattresses, sets of twin sheets, throw blankets, pillows, books, stuffed animals, and handmade blankets to children in need. This partnership with OHAAT, where we're officially sponsors, will continue to be a beacon of hope in our community.
Bike MS: Pedaling Towards a World Free of MS
From April to September, we shifted gears to support the Bike MS initiative. Our fundraising efforts, which included a grill giveaway raffle, raised $504 for our Bike MS team. The highlight was the Bike MS race in Ocean City, NJ, where we not only sponsored a tent at the finish line but also had our own Linda bike 30 miles! The event's success, raising over $3.8 million, brought us closer to a world free of MS.
Holiday Food Drive: Sharing the Joy of the Season
As the year draws to a close, our focus turns to the holiday season with a food drive. We'll have non-perishable food donation boxes in every store, aimed at supporting local food cupboards. This initiative is an open invitation to our customers and employees to join hands in spreading festive cheer to those in need.
A Year of Giving, A Year of Growth
Reflecting on this year's "Gerhard's Appliances Gives Back" initiative fills us with immense pride and gratitude. Each activity, from building homes to comforting children and supporting critical health causes, has strengthened our bond with the community we serve. We believe that our corporate responsibility extends beyond our business, and this year has been a testament to that belief.
We look forward to continuing our journey of giving back, creating more moments of impact, and fostering a spirit of community throughout the years to come. Thank you to everyone who has joined us in this endeavor. Your support makes all the difference. Here's to more years of service, kindness, and community-building!