SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When U-Haul Team Members have the option to be recognized for their charity efforts or get to work volunteering, the choice is simple: get to work. A dozen U-Haul Team Members set up, greeted and cleaned before, during and after the St. Vincent de Paul Restoring Hope Breakfast held Nov. 17 at the Phoenician Resort. The annual fundraiser is a platform to acknowledge and thank local companies that make it possible for SVdP to pursue its mission of feeding, clothing, housing and healing people in need.
This year, SVdP is celebrating 70 years of work in Phoenix, while U-Haul is celebrating 50 years of being headquartered in the Valley (in addition to 72 years in business). The partnership between the two organizations dates back decades.
“It is vitally important for SVdP to have corporate volunteers such as U-Haul,” said Todd Cooley, SVdP corporate development officer. “SVdP needs volunteers to assist in daily operations and events. Simply stated, SVdP would not be the resource for thousands of people daily without the support of volunteers like U-Haul.”
Restoring Hope Breakfast
U-Haul is typically asked to have its team of representatives sit and partake in the breakfast rather than assist throughout the event. But given the opportunity to volunteer this year, Team U-Haul seized the chance to serve.
Restoring Hope Breakfast attendees arrived while finishing touches were made to the ballroom. Coffee was on each table, centerpieces standing tall, and a warm meal in front of every chair. The SVdP breakfast produced a sense of compassion and empathy at each table.
“It was empowering to see how significant a small greeting can affect someone’s day positively,” said Wyatt Stokey, U-Haul retail sales analyst. “Even if your task was directing guests to their seats, you still made an impact.
U-Haul donates $1,000 to St. Vincent de Paul during its Turkey Tuesday fundraising efforts at Basha’s in Gilbert, Ariz. Pictured are Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels and U-Haul Director of External Communications Sebastien Reyes.
“With U-Haul offering monthly volunteer opportunities, it gives Team Members the opportunity to show gratitude and appreciation in the community. It also generates close relationships between Team Members. I will be participating in future volunteering with Team U-Haul.”
Various speakers discussed SVdP accomplishments, partnerships, success stories and 2018 goals during the breakfast. With a sincere thank you to its volunteers and corporate sponsors, the breakfast concluded as Team U-Haul carried out its clean-up duties.
A special thanks to U-Haul volunteers Tim Armstrong, Jennifer Borbon, Paige Brown, Steve Dudley, John Heiland, Frances Mariscal-Tapia, Kat Miles, Stephanie Newland, Latasha Ross, Sebastien Reyes, Alex Sommers and Stokey.
Turkey Tuesday
Four days after the Restoring Hope Breakfast, U-Haul made its customary appearance at the St. Vincent de Paul’s Turkey Tuesday donation drive. Reyes presented a check for $1,000, part of the Company’s annual giving to SVdP.
NBC covered the Turkey Tuesday event at multiple locations around the Valley. That included Basha’s grocery in Gilbert where U-Haul made its donation. Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels was on hand to spur on donations and thank U-Haul for its continued support.
