Hallmark shows love to SWFL families at ‘Day of Caring’

Employees packed 1,500 ethnic hair product kits in partnership with United Way

More than 200 Hallmark employees, in town for an annual corporate sales conference, took a break from examining sales strategies and financial goals to make a difference in the lives of Southwest Florida families.

On March 26, Hallmark team members participated in a United Way Day of Caring at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, the host hotel for the conference. In partnership with United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades, Hallmark employees packed 1,500 ethnic hair product kits for students. In addition to a variety of hair products, volunteers completed the kits in true Hallmark fashion, inserting a custom greeting card into each kit that featured a variety of inspiring messages, such as “Keep shining your light!” and “Everything you are is everything the world needs.”

“We were contacted by Hallmark to find out what type of project they could be part of to make a difference while they were here,” said Christine LoConte, United Way Volunteer Center manager. “For Hallmark to reach out to us… we feel honored that we were chosen and that they trust us to further their mission.”

Hallmark, which has partnered nationally with United Way since 1951, has a vision to create a more emotionally connected world by making a genuine difference in every life, every day. Much of the company’s philanthropic and volunteerism efforts are focused in communities where Hallmark has a large physical presence, but the Day of Caring in Southwest Florida extended impact into a new region. Hallmark paid for shampoo, gels, lotions and other hair products in addition to packing the hygiene kits.

“Our community manager reached out to the United Way here locally to say, ‘What can we do while we have a great group of Hallmarkers around?’” said Laura Bentsen, vice president – global merchandising services for Hallmark. “Hallmark’s mission is to help people live more caring, connected lives, and a central core to that is really about how we give back to the community.”

United Way relies on the generosity of businesses, individuals and philanthropic organizations, many of which are based in Southwest Florida. With so many corporate conferences and conventions hosted locally, though, LoConte said United Way is willing and able to partner with national and international companies to create volunteer opportunities with interactive team-building components as part of a conference agenda.

“Companies can reach out to the United Way Volunteer Center to set up what we call a ‘Day of Caring’ that will increase engagement while giving employees an opportunity to support one of our many programs,” LoConte said.