It seems like every day I work I see a new face, so I wanted to take the time to explain how it pays to be a lifesaver.
You learn in training about blood types and how many lives you can save by scheduling just a single blood donation. We feel that what you do each and every day to saves lives deserves to be rewarded.
We have a program called the Lifesaver Program, in which you earn points for every donation you schedule. Your points determine which level you are and what reward you will receive. You get rewarded at levels, 3, 5, 7, 9 , 12, 15 and 20.
Prizes include pens, coffee mugs, t-shirts, dress shirts, binders, carry-on bags and even a mini vacation! Once you reach a new level, you also get a sticker indicating which level you are, so everyone can see just how dedicated you are to saving lives.
Be proud of what you do, and always challenge yourself to get to that next level.
Image Credit: Byron Katie
Two of the most passionate groups of people in the world are sports fans and blood donors.
Both groups of enthusiasts will brave harsh weather, long drives and crowds of people to show support for their favorite team or their local blood center. Did you know, however, that sports fans and blood donors aren’t the only ones passionate about helping their communities?
Many professional sports teams have teamed up with their local blood centers to encourage their fans to become blood donors. From free tickets for the next big game to t-shirts signed by the players, some of your favorite teams and their fans are showing just how much heart they have by giving back to their communities and encouraging others to donate blood.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m a die-hard Cleveland Indians fan. And that’s not just because of how well they play but also because of how closely they work with the American Red Cross to encourage new blood donors to join the cause. The Indians host several blood drives a year with the Red Cross, and their fans always show up in full force.
Even the Steelers Mascot, Steely McBeam, is an avid supporter of blood drives!
The Indians are not the only ones who focus on giving back to their community. The Chicago Bears also host several blood drives throughout the year and give away tickets for the mini training camp they run in a drawing for their blood donors.
For all of the Pittsburgh Steelers fans out there, your team isn’t forgotten! The Pittsburgh Steelers are well-known for hosting blood drives, especially around the winter holiday season when blood is needed the most.
The Indians, Steelers and Bears are far from being the only ones who work with blood center in their areas. No matter who you root for, you can be fairly confident that your team is supporting your community hospitals by hosting blood drives.
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On Thursday, July 14th, 2011, the Incept Gives Board held its monthly meeting… with a twist. Instead of sitting around the Incept conference room table, as we normally do, we gathered in the parking lot at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. We were about to get a firsthand look at the miracles made by Incept’s donation last year.
A Look Back
In June of 2010, in front of our employees during an Employee Of the Month ceremony, the Incept Gives Board was proud to make a donation to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank that went toward purchasing and distributing 100 cases (or 4,800 cans) of tuna. Tuna is one of what the food bank calls its “Super 6″ foods. In non-food-bank lingo it means that among other things it’s high in protein and lasts for a long time. This makes tuna a high-value commodity for the local agencies that distribute food to local community members in need.
Because of the hard work and success of Incept’s employees, 4,800 cans of tuna went directly into the hands of people in Stark County who were fighting to put food on the table. Our donation impacted our neighbors, friends and coworkers. We are proud to have made an impact in our local community.
Firsthand Experience
Getting to see the facilities at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank firsthand really amplified the feelings I had about the importance of the work they do. It’s always an honor to get an inside look at an organization when we have the chance to meet at their facilities or take a group tour. But touring the food bank had a special impact on me, especially when our host informed us that U.S. Census Bureau reports indicated that in 2009 24.8% of all children in Stark County, OH lived in poverty. Take any four children from your average grade school classroom in 2009, and one of them is hungry and living below the poverty line. Knowing such things made our visit that much more meaningful for me.
As we toured the food bank, we all felt humbled by the scope of what they do. They have an entire warehouse housing industrial shelves loaded with donated and purchased food. The massive freezer in the back of the facility is large enough to fit my apartment and still have room for storage. The loading zone where member distribution agencies pick up food is organized and set up with military-like precision, so not a single item goes to waste. It was almost overwhelming to think of how effectively this organization impacts the lives of so many people.
How To Get Involved
In short, I was left in awe by the work the team at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank does. If you’d like to get involved, there are a number of ways in which you can make a difference, ranging from donating your time to hosting a food drive in your community. You can also make a financial donation or attend one of the food bank’s events, like their Taste Of The NFL event in September.
If you’d like to learn more about the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, who they help, how you can get involved or how they can help you, visit their website: www.akroncantonfoodbank.org.
As always, stay tuned for more updates from the Incept Gives Board (or you can read our past blog posts here). Remember that you can always make a difference!
Image Credit: http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/
Jeremiah Cerny's mugshot for the "Locked Up For Muscular Dystrophy" fundraiser at Carrabba's.
Everyone holds their own values and beliefs.
At Incept, one of the most important values we believe in is compassion. Compassion isn’t just a company value, but one our employees show on a regular basis. On March 31st, our very own Jeremiah Cerny stepped up to show everyone just how it’s done.
It started out as a challenge. One of Jeremiah’s friends was attending a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), a group dedicated to finding a cure for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other similar diseases, at Carrabba’s Italian Grill here in Canton, Ohio. Not only did he dare Jeremiah to attend, but he also made the mistake of challenging Jeremiah to see who could raise the most money. Considering he was one of our conversational marketing experts (CME) and now a conversational quality representative, Jeremiah couldn’t let that challenge go unanswered. And so the telethon began.
Carrabba's Italian Grill in Canton, OH.
Attendees were “locked up” at the Carrabba’s and told that if they wanted their freedom, they’d have to “make bail.” It was a battle of wills to see who had the biggest heart and the best phone skills to raise money for the MDA, but Jeremiah – and the MDA, for that matter – emerged victorious. He single-handedly raised more than $300 over the course of the evening and bested his friend. His experience as a blood donor recruiter, as well as his caring and compassionate nature, gave him the edge he needed to reach out to the community and gain their support. All of the money raised was donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
When I asked him about the event, Jeremiah said he enjoyed the chance to put skills he learned here at Incept to the test for a good cause. He also shared that he is already forward to next year’s “lock up,” at which he plans to do even better. Jeremiah also wanted to thank Carrabba’s for hosting the event and supplying delicious food to the event’s participants. Their support really made a difference.
I really want to tip my hat to Jeremiah. He took the time out of his evening off to help others in need. Who would have thought that skills learned at work could have such a positive impact outside of the office? The next time you see Jeremiah, give him a shout-out for his compassion.
What fundraisers for charity have you participated in? Do you have any stories you’d like to share?
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If there’s one charity out there that deserves your time, money and admiration, it’s Habitat for Humanity.
I have so many fond memories of volunteering with Habitat! When I was in college, I helped lay down the foundation of a house in Poland (where I got my shoe stuck in cement). As a teenager, I helped put up walls after a tornado devastated a small town near the college I would eventually attend (where I stepped on a nail). As soon as I was old enough to use a hammer without being a threat to myself or others – around age 12 or so – I climbed up ladders and helped install roofs with Habitat (where I hit my thumb more than once).
And during that period between being old enough to help out but too young to be trusted with tools, my mother and I carried cups of water to the workers and set the table for lunch.
That’s what’s so great about Habitat for Humanity. No matter your age or ability, there’s some way you can help. You can build a house for a friend, family member, stranger or for yourself – a brand new house.
On top of meeting certain income guidelines, families who apply to receive a house – referred to as “partner families” – have to invest “sweat-equity hours.” This means they make up for reduced mortgage payments by working for a certain number of hours on Habitat houses. They help pay their mortgage with their sweat! There’s a great sense of community, mutual compassion, loyalty, teamwork and generosity between the volunteers and the families.
Habitat does more than build homes, however. It hosts a Youth Leadership Conference, recycles cars, sells reduced-priced furniture and appliances at the ReStore shops and helps homeowners with exterior home preservation like painting, landscaping and weatherstripping. Habitat helps needy families all over the world, from the United States and Africa to Europe and Asia.
Enter your zip code on Habitat for Humanity’s webpage to find out about local volunteer opportunities!
Have you ever volunteered with Habitat for Humanity?
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This post was guest-written by Michelle Benefiel, a Conversational Marketing Expert (CME) at Incept, who recently made her first blood donation. The amount of pride and passion she felt about making the commitment to save lives by donating blood touched her so much she wanted to share those feelings with you. What follows is her story…
My First Blood Donation
“Donating blood only takes about 30 minutes of your time, and it is such a great way to support the community!”
That’s what I tell potential blood donors all the time when I have conversations with them, even though I had never donated myself.
That was until “The Blood Vessel” arrived at our office building, and I decided it was time to practice what I had been encouraging others to do so sincerely. When the nurse told me that my iron was at a good level and I was eligible to give a double red cell donation, I must admit I got a little excited. You might say I wasn’t satisfied with just giving whole blood.
Because I gave red cells, I was in the seat a little longer than the rest of my friends. It definitely felt good to be able to give what I could. When I was done getting my plasma and platelets back, I got a bright red bandage around my arm, a juice box and a box of animal crackers.
When I donated blood, I could see and feel that I was helping to save a life.
Working at Incept, during every phone call we tell people to donate blood, so it felt good to step into the donor’s shoes. What better way to show your compassion than by offering up a part of yourself?
In donating blood, you can see it and feel it, and you know that what you have given freely is life-saving. We talk about it all day, but now the message means even more to me. Donating blood saves lives. It’s really that simple.
What emotions did you feel after you gave your first blood donation?
It’s been a busy time lately for the members of the Incept Gives Board.
Between holiday parties, shopping for the children of the Angel Tree program and preparing for the new year to come, I don’t think I’ve had time to really slow down and be thankful for what I have. On top of everything, I’ve been running around trying to get ready for the holidays, buying presents and wrapping gifts, it’s just been one big blur.
But on Tuesday, December 21st, I was given a rare chance to clear my to-do list and give back to people who deserve my thanks. I joined the Incept Gives Board, members of the Incept family, the American Red Cross Stark County Chapter and the Blue Star Mothers of North Canton in welcoming home local members of our armed forces, as they flew into the Akron-Canton Airport to spend the holidays with their families.
Our “Welcome Wagon” set up camp in the lobby of the airport with signs, banners, balloons and gifts. Each time a member of the military walked down the terminal past us, the Blue Star Mothers sprang into action. There were hugs, handshakes, cards and balloons given to every last soldier who came home that night.
Incept was on hand to provide a small token of our appreciation to those brave men and women returning home.
http://www.vimeo.com/18281088
I gained a tremendous sense of appreciation for everything our troops do, from the soldiers on the front lines in Afghanistan to the logistical troops here stateside, every one of you deserves a hug and a thank you. You are heroes in every sense of the word!
I’d like to extend an additional thank you to the fabulous people at the American Red Cross Stark County Chapter, the Volunteer and Military Family Manager there (Melissa Seibert), and the Blue Star Mothers of North Canton. Your compassion made a lasting impression on me! Thank you so much for inviting us. Of course, I’d also like to say thank you to all the members of the Incept family for making it possible for us to go participate in such a great event!
Most importantly, to all of our troops: Thank You! I hope you have a safe and happy new year!
Today, as I write this blog post, our latest Incept Employee Of the Month sits at her work booth making phone calls, like today is just another day at work.
Truthfully I think it’s that quality that makes Stephanie Smith one of my favorite people to spend time with at work. I’d like to give you a glimpse into why I think Steph is such a complete example of what we call “Living the Brand.”
Stephanie and I have had the pleasure of working closely (oftentimes referred to as Mr. & Mrs. Smith – there’s no relation) for a few years now. Over that time, I’ve had the chance to get to know her well, both professionally and personally. She is the proud mother of two brilliant daughters, Elizabeth and Samantha, who are just as much a part of the Incept family as Stephanie. In fact, they are so connected to our circle of friends that when the Incept Gives Foundation decided to take our Conversational Marketing Experts (CMEs) shopping for 38 children who were unlikely to have Christmas this year, the girls proudly came along.
The 38 kids we shopped for were part of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Children from less fortunate families write their names on cards, along with their wishlist, and selfless strangers (like the amazing people we have here at Incept) offer their time and money to purchase gifts for them, in order to brighten the holidays for these kids.
While we were waiting in a long line to check out, Stephanie and her daughters told me that they actually volunteered to do the “back-end” of the shopping we were doing. This meant that Stephanie and her daughters spent a fair amount of their time (8 hours per day for a full week) organizing, sorting and packing the gifts that came in to the Salvation Army location in Massillon, OH. They made sure that all children in multi-child homes received similar numbers of gifts, so as to prevent any negative feelings and ensure a fair and merry Christmas. After organizing the gifts for each of the families, they transported them by hand to the church across the street where they added boxes of food with the gifts. They did all of this for complete strangers.
Stephanie shared this story with me, about how the experience touched her daughter Elizabeth:
“One of the kids in Elizabeth’s class at school had said to her that Santa wasn’t coming to their house that year. Instead, they were going to go get gifts from the Salvation Army. She was so touched after volunteering at the Salvation Army that she took presents she and her sister had received at a Christmas party, delivered them to the captain at the Salvation Army and asked that they be donated to kids who were less fortunate.
I was very proud of her… It wasn’t something I told her to do. She took it on all on her own. She has a very big heart.”
Stephanie also asked that I include this short message from her:
“If anyone gets the chance to volunteer down there (at the Salvation Army), it’s a great opportunity! They do so many great things for the community.”
At first, the compassion demonstrated by Stephanie and her daughters left me at a loss for words to describe how I felt. However, after watching the video of our Incept family shopping for the Angel Tree children a few times, I think I found the proper word to describe them: angels.
I’d like to share with you one more example of how our employees (like Stephanie) “Live the Brand.” While waiting to check out at that night, Stephanie and her daughters encouraged me to ask Billie Johnson, one of my fellow members on the Incept Gives board, if it would be permissible for them to purchase some additional items (with their own money) and add them to the gifts for the child for whom they were shopping. Billie’s response still rings clearly in my mind, “Tell them to put the items in the cart and to not worry about it. Then tell them there is a special place in heaven for them.”
The holidays at Incept are unlike the holidays at any other company, because we understand that in giving we receive.
There is no more universal icon of Christmas than Santa Claus. This time of the year, you can’t go anywhere without seeing his picture, hearing a song on the radio about him or dodging the line of eager children waiting to sit on his lap to ask for gifts.
But where exactly did this symbol of good will and generosity come from?
The Santa Claus we know today was actually based on a real person, Saint Nicholas. Saint 
Nicholas was born in the village of Patara (in what’s southern Turkey today). He was born into a wealthy family, but when he was still young, his parents passed away when an epidemic swept through their town. Rather than live comfortably off of the money he inherited, Nicholas gave all of his money to the poor and joined the church. He became a bishop at a young age and traveled the countryside, doing many good deeds.
There are numerous stories of his generosity in life. One story tells of a poor man who had three daughters. During this period in history, a father had to offer a dowry or payment to the family of the man who was to marry his daughter. Since the father had no money and three daughters, it was almost impossible for them to get married. If not for Saint Nicholas, the daughters would have been sold into slavery. They say that on three separate occasions bags of gold appeared in the poor man’s house, saving his daughters from lives in captivity.
Some stories even say that the bags of gold flew into the window, landing in the stockings or shoes the daughters had left by the fireplace to dry. This is where the tradition of hanging stockings from the mantle and filling them with presents comes from.
A picture from Knickerbocker's History of New York.
Throughout his life (and even after), Saint Nicholas went on to perform many selfless deeds and came to be known as the protector of children. Another story is told about a boy, named Basilios, who was kidnapped by pirates who raided his village on the feast day for Saint Nicholas (December 6th, in case you were wondering). Basilios was sold into slavery and became the cup-bearer of the king, serving his wine is a golden chalice. Then, a year after his capture, it is said that Saint Nicholas appeared to Basilios and stole him away from the king, bringing him back to his family safe and sound with the golden cup in hand.
There are countless other stories about Saint Nicholas and his deeds. This patron saint of children was well-loved in Germany and traveled west with them when they moved to America. It wasn’t until 1809 that he began
Alexander Anderson's St. Nickolas.
the transformation into the gift-giving elf we all know and love. In his book Knickerbocker’s History of New York, Washington Irving makes numerous mentions of a Dutch elf who gave out presents. Later, the artist Alexander Anderson was commissioned to paint a picture of Saint Nicholas for the New York Historical Society when it had its first St. Nicholas anniversary dinner in 1810.
From then on, Saint Nicholas continued gathering momentum. In 1821, the book Children’s Friend was anonymously published, providing the first visual reference of Nicholas not as a saint, but as “Santa Claus.” Two years later, Clement Clarke Moore wrote the most famous poem about Santa Claus – one that is still told today - The Night Before Christmas.
Perhaps the greatest influence on the modern-day Santa was Thomas Nast. Every year from 1863 to 1886, Nast submitted black-and-white drawings of Santa Claus to Harper’s Weekly. From him, we have the Santa with the long, white beard and round belly, giving children gifts for Christmas.
The images of both Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas have undergone some amazing changes over the years, but the significant messages they send has stayed the same: generosity, caring for others and selflessness. So while you’re gathered around your Christmas tree, take a second to think about how lucky you are to have a warm home and loving family around you, and be sure to pass the happiness on to someone else.
Happy Holidays!
Some of Thomas Nast's pictures of Santa Claus.
On Friday, December 3rd, our the entire Incept family gathered to spend time with one another and celebrate another year gone by at our annual Holiday Party.
Photos were taken, toasts were made, speeches were given, and music was played. Then during dinner everyone’s attention was directed to the front of the hall where our Vice President of New Client Results and trustee on the board for of our Incept Gives Charitable Foundation Employee Fund, Billie Johnson, began to speak.
As Billie recapped just how grateful we were to be given the chance to make an impact in the lives of others -thanks to the hard work of our Conversational Marketing Experts (CMEs) – the rest of the board passed out an envelope personally addressed to each of the members of our staff. Inside was a personally signed card from all of the members of the board, as well as a gift certificate that would allow all of our employees to pick up some groceries without having to worry about the cost.
A sense of excitement and thankfulness filled the hall. Then came the second announcement: everyone was invited to help spread the love even further by making Christmas a reality for children less fortunate than ourselves. That Sunday a group of Incept staff and family members descended on a nearby Wal-Mart to play Santa’s little helpers. They each took a piece of paper with a child’s name, age, clothing sizes and wish list on it.
I had the opportunity to shop for a little, 7-year-old boy named Austin. To say that I was excited when I saw he wanted Nerf guns, Tech Deck skateboards and art supplies would be an understatement! Over the next hour or so I scurried about Wal-Mart, capturing as much of the magic on film as I could. I was touched so deeply by the pure joy on the faces of our employees while they shopped for these kids that I couldn’t stop smiling for almost two days.
In all, we purchased gifts for 38 children who would have had nothing to open for Christmas without the kindness and compassion shown by our team members. I’m proud to say that we shocked the employees of the McDonald’s store (where we picked up all the names), when we showed up with a carload of presents for them to send back to the Salvation Army.
I’m more proud to say that I now have a bond with Austin, even though I never have and never will meet him. I became a part of that young man’s Christmas holiday. On Christmas morning, he will be opening wrapped presents containing a Nerf gun with extra darts, more Tech Decks than I would know what to do with and a nice 86-piece art kit. And it’s all because of the compassion that we believe in showing to others.
On a side note, just typing this blog post for you to read has brought a smile to my face again! Austin, I hope you enjoy your gifts little buddy!
