Rob Ringler, Bob’s Regional Manager (right) presents Jennifer Podall, Autism Speaks’ Senior Vice President of Constituent Engagement (left) with a $100,000 check donation at Autism Speaks Walk in Boston
I want to say thank you to all of my amazing customers for another great Café Collections for a Cause program! With your help, I was able to present a Big Check to Autism Speaks for $100,000! The check represents all of your donations during the second quarter, plus a dollar-for-dollar match from me.
In addition to this year’s check, I have donated $550,000 to Autism Speaks through my Café Collections for a Cause program since 2014.
Through various Outreach initiatives, my associates and I are proud to support Autism Speaks, which is committed to meeting the needs of children and families affected by autism.
Yellow or Blue?
It all started with a big decision: yellow or blue? Do you like wearing blue? I am partial to yellow myself. But, in honor of a good cause I invited my associates to wear blue on April 2!
So on World Autism Awareness Day, my associates from coast to coast came together to wear blue. This was a fun way to highlight the beginning of our campaign for Autism Speaks.
Café Collections for a Cause
The support for this good cause did not stop there. Not only did my associates in Bob’s stores, distribution centers, and offices wear blue to raise awareness for autism, but we also began collecting donations in every one of my complimentary store cafés.
From April through June, the excitement grew seeing all the dollars raised in my café jars from my generous customers. By the end of June, I was thrilled to match all of the donations collected dollar-for-dollar and donate to Autism Speaks!
Bob’s Walks for Autism Awareness!
And my Bob’s community support did not stop there, either. My team members from across the country participated in various Autism Speaks Walks.
Many volunteers signed up to join my Bob’s Walk Team and wear my yellow t-shirt at Autism Speaks events in communities across the country.
During the Autism Speaks Walks, my associates also volunteered to hand out my Bob’s giveaways to attendees at our sponsorship tent.
My associates along with families and friends were able to participate in a total of 14 Celebration Walks in cities where my stores are located such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Detroit and Las Vegas.
Eddie Russo, Autism Speaks Field Development Manager said, “We are so thankful for Bob’s support of the 20th Anniversary of the Autism Speaks Long Island Walk! The entire Bob’s Discount Furniture Walk team was amazing on Walk Day and our families really enjoyed visiting the ‘Bob’s’ booth. Walk Day would not be the same without you!”
Now, that’s quality teamwork from my Bob’s community to support a good cause!
