My sister-in-law asked me a few years ago if she could borrow a truck. I begrudgingly handed her the keys to my pickup, but she handed them back and explained that she wanted the flatbed delivery truck that we use for our wood floor retail business, and, by the way, she needed it for the entire weekend. It turned out she wanted the truck to serve as a stage for speakers and performers at a Pets in the Park festival. Portland, Maine, is a dog-loving town, and thousands of people showed up for the event. The next week, the event planners posted on their Facebook page that we were a major sponsor and would donate a dollar for everyone who liked us on Facebook. Within a few days, we donated $650 to the Animal Refuge League and had an explosion of likes and followers. People started to call and ask things like: What is the best hardwood flooring to use if you have dogs? How do you clean urine stains from an oak floor? Community engagement and employee volunteering don’t cost much but can have impactful benefits for your town and your business. Using existing resources (like my delivery truck), you can benefit others who need assistance with minimal expense. Here are ways you can get involved:
Support an Industrial Arts School
We supply lumber and plywood to local school districts for their woodshop classes. Get to know the teachers and administrators and offer to come in as a speaker, assistant or mentor. Starting this connection might just find you a new employee!
Volunteer at a Local Event
Offering your time, products or services at community events can help create and forge relationships. You support a local initiative while also increasing awareness of your company. It’s a good opportunity to advertise your products, too, by using flyers.
Sponsor a Local Sports Team
Whether it’s Little League baseball or middle school girls’ soccer, people are passionate about sports. Offering to sponsor equipment can put your logo on a uniform, which can show up in a lot of proud parent snapshots.
Host a Community Fundraiser
Find a local charity that aligns with your company’s goals and values, and go all in! Raise your company profile while offering support to an organization that needs it. As wood flooring pros, we know the neighborhoods and have been in many people’s homes as flooring experts. You can utilize these contacts and change these transactional relationships into transformational ones.
