Montgomery Serves Awards 2020

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Business Volunteer of the Year 

Recognizing outstanding volunteer service by a business in 2019  

 

GEICO

GEICO is an incredible partner to Shepherd’s Table, a nonprofit that helps people who are homeless or in need by providing meals, social services, and other assistance. What began in 2004 with a financial gift to sponsor its annual fundraising event has blossomed into a strong, faithful partnership that includes reliable and passionate volunteer support at least once a month, and financial, volunteer and in-kind support for all events.  

GEICO first connected with Shepherd’s Table in 2004, when the nonprofit’s executive director reached out to solicit a sponsorship for an event. That led to a conversation about volunteering with a GEICO employee who was very passionate about the mission of Shepherd’s Table. GEICO volunteers were encouraged to sign up to provide a dinner service, and when a regular slot opened up in September 2013, a long-lasting and ever-growing relationship was formed between GEICO and Shepherd’s Table.  

Each year since 2011, GEICO volunteers have been instrumental in planning for and executing Shepherd's Table’s annual event. They lend invaluable support, from check-in to check-out. They come at the crack of dawn to set up and leave after every box is loaded up and sent back to Shepherd’s Table.  

Each month, 10 to 15 GEICO team members arrive to prep and serve the dinner meal. The team composition may vary from month to month, giving different people in the company the opportunity to serve.  

Over the course of the years, the number of GEICO volunteers engaged in monthly meal services at Shepherd’s Table has increased, as has the number of GEICO volunteers who assist with the nonprofit’s events (now held twice a year). Plus, employees have found new ways to support Shepherd’s Table. They serve on the board, make sandwiches during their lunch hour, hold bake sales and mini auctions in their cafeteria, or talk to other employees about their volunteer service. In 2019, GEICO employees also provided pro bono assistance with compiling and analyzing data from a client survey last year. Their timely help was critical, as it informed a strategic planning process for the organization, along with providing reliable data for grant writing, donor relations, and much more. 

GEICO’s service is extraordinary, as the employees’ commitment and passion truly stand out at Shepherd’s Table. Time and again, GEICO is willing to step up to whatever volunteer task is needed. Factoring in all the many ways GEICO is involved, Shepherd’s Table estimates at least 500 hours of volunteer service were received from GEICO in 2019.  

GEICO has a corporate culture that encourages and supports employee engagement. Many of those who volunteer at Shepherd’s Table are also part of GEICO teams serving other organizations. GEICO’s company-wide volunteer initiative, GEICO Cares, is affirmed by their ongoing service to the community. 
 

 

See all of this year's honorees