GSF Foundation's Fall Heartline

Fall 2022

GSF Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Changing Hearts, Changing Lives

Since its inception, more than $60 million raised and 285,000+ hours volunteered by GSF associates, supporting children and families in need through more than 850 local charities and schools across the U.S.

GSF Foundation celebrated its 20th Anniversary on September 20. During the Foundation’s 20th Anniversary year, associates are rising to the challenge to heighten their community service by volunteering 20 hours or more by the end of 2022. As GSFF marked 20 years, the nonprofit’s 28 local teams throughout the U.S. participated in a “Day of Service” to give back through activities, such as packing hygiene kits to donate to youth in foster care and packing meals at Second Harvest Food Bank.

“Over the last two decades, our caring, generous associate volunteers have dedicated their time, talent, and treasure to make a difference in the lives of children and families in need across the country. Perpetuating GSF’s 75-year legacy of our values-driven, people-first culture, the GSF Foundation demonstrates how our company and our associates are not only focused on doing well in our businesses, but also on doing good in the communities where we work and live. The GSF Foundation is truly GSF’s Creed and Values in action!”

– Mark Wetterau, GSF Foundation Board Chairman

and GSF Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

GSF Foundation Shares Updated Video

To tell our story of changing hearts and changing lives in the words of our dedicated leaders, generous volunteers, and beneficiary partners, GSF Foundation is pleased to share our recently updated video.

View Video

GSF Foundation Donates Over 10,500 Backpacks to Students this Year

As children wrapped up summer and prepared for a new school year, GSFF volunteers across the U.S. filled backpacks with essential school supplies to donate to local students in need. A total of 22 GSF Foundation teams participated in this year's Back(pack) to School program, donating more than 10,500 backpacks to first graders in local communities where GSF associates live and work.

“It’s been wonderful to see associates get back on school campuses this year to interact with the students receiving these donations. Seeing these kids' eyes light up and the big grins on their faces makes this program such an unforgettable, feel-good experience for our volunteers.”

– Vanessa Hugon, Program and Development Specialist, GSF Foundation

GSFF Volunteers Donate Over 5,000 Service Hours So Far in 2022

Congratulations to the Foundation teams from GSF Conyers, Georgia (1,096 hours), GSF Irvine, California (389 hours), and GSF City of Industry, California (331 hours) for leading all local facility teams in volunteer hours during the third quarter of 2022! Overall, associates volunteered 5,000+ service hours across the Foundation’s 28 U.S. Committees in the first three quarters of this year.

During the first three quarters of 2022, a total of 73 associates have completed GSFF's 20th Anniversary volunteer hours challenge! Congratulations to the following associates who volunteered 20 hours or more this year to achieve this challenge during the third quarter of 2022:

Andy Cox, GSF City of Industry Manufacturing
Anthony Feacher, GSF Conyers
Ashlee West, QCD Frisco
Ben Snider, GSF Opelika
Beth Wheeler, QCD Frisco
Blaine Ung, GSF Irvine
Chris Kan, GSF Irvine
Daire Vadney, QCD Boston
Dan McLaughlin, GSF Irvine
Donnie Longino, GSF Conyers
Dorea Chaney, GSF Conyers
Elyse Payne, QCD Orlando
Emily Vannoy, GSF Conyers
Fred Heurtin, GSF Conyers
Garrett Huchinson, GSF Burleson
Gema Lopez, QCD Las Vegas
Giovanni Williams, GSF Conyers
Jason Prince, GSF Opelika
John Lizzio, QCD Waipahu
Johnathan Williams, QCD San Antonio
Justin Vannoy, GSF Conyers
Kate Dolon, GSF Conyers
Kim Donahue, GSF Conyers
Leslie Taylor, GSF Irvine
Lisa Gottlieb, GSF Irvine
Marley Allen, GSF Opelika
Melissa Vieira, QCD Frisco
Mike Bongiorno, GSF Conyers
Miranda Johnson, QCD San Antonio
Misty Bryant, GSF Conyers
Nate Murphy, GSF Opelika
Nick Harr, GSF Conyers
Pam Bennett, GSF Conyers
Paul Green, GSF Conyers
Paul Howell, GSF Opelika
Richard Stillwell, GSF Opelika
Shirley Schaal, GSF Irvine
Sondra Warriner, KanPak New York
Tera Archuleta, QCD Frisco
Vera Hunter, QCD Seattle
Wayne Morgan, GSF Conyers

In celebration of GSFF's 20-year milestone this year, GSF Foundation challenges associates to heighten their volunteer service. Associates have the opportunity to win a limited edition Carhartt sweatshirt by volunteering 20 hours or more in 2022 and logging their hours using the form on the GSF Foundation page of the GSF associate Intranet site.

In The News

Making A Difference: KanPak embraces back-to-school tradition

Through the GSF Foundation’s Back(pack) to School program, more than 1,200 students in the Penn Yan, New York area received backpacks filled with school supplies before classes began.

Sharing Your Stories

Andrew Ketter, QCD Portland's Transportation Manager (and former QCD Seattle Transportation Supervisor), loves fishing and also loves supporting the GSF Foundation. When his girlfriend gifted him a birthday fishing experience on a Columbia River charter boat this year, he decided to donate the extra spots on the boat for a company raffle benefitting the Foundation and its local charity partners. The opportunity to win a fishing trip with Andrew reeled in a big catch in raffle ticket sales and raised over $1,000 in funds. Andrew and the GSFF Seattle team contributed the proceeds to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington and Alaska for their boxed meal program.

“It was a great opportunity to bring associates from different departments together in a unique and fun activity. I couldn't be happier with the participation and money raised for the Ronald McDonald House. I always like serving the families at Ronald McDonald House and can’t wait until we can go on-site once again!”

– Andrew Ketter, GSFF Volunteer

Quiz for A Kids' Cause

Enter for a Chance to Win a $250 Donation

Congratulations to Joni Smith of GSF Conyers!

Joni Smith, Executive Administrative Assistant for GSF Conyers, has won the summer Heartline Quiz for a Kids' Cause and will receive a $250 donation to Bearings Bike Works, a nonprofit that invites kids to earn a bike of their own while developing the skills necessary to successfully transition into adulthood and the workforce.

Don't miss your next quick and simple opportunity to win a $250 donation to your children's charity of choice. The GSF Foundation invites Heartline readers to take a quiz about this newsletter edition by December 31, 2022:

I'm ready! Quiz me now.

About GSFF's Quiz for A Kids' Cause

All correct quiz responses received by December 31, 2022 will be entered into this quarter's random drawing for one $250 donation to the winner's eligible children's charity of choice.
Eligible charities include GSFF Local Committees and non-profit 501(c)3 organizations that align with the GSF Foundation's mission of improving the lives of children and families in need in the places where GSF associates live and work.

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