Charity Committee

On Saturday, March 8th, 20 CG employee-owners, along with their friends and family, took the leap for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Generous donations from CGers secured a matching contribution of $5,207.14, helping to raise over $21,417 in total. 57 co-workers donated to make this match possile! 

A huge thank you to everyone who signed up, volunteered, filled out the survey, shared photos, and provided valuable feedback! Your participation made this event a success, and we can’t wait to do it again next year—bigger and better than ever. Despite the challenges of EPIC, we made it through and will be even stronger next year. As Sam Olinger put it: "I can’t say it enough, this matters deeply. Giving back is the right thing to do, and we are so blessed that it feels great to pay it forward to the communities we work in."

Participation Breakdown & Survey Highlights

• 111 people signed up to volunteer
• 26 people completed training
• 4 people were on PTO
• 6 people chose not to volunteer
• 6 people have future plans to serve
• 42 people completed the post-survey With over 229 employees, we know there are more incredible acts of service that haven't been accounted for. Since we’re not entirely sure how many people actually served, we need your help! Please fill out the post-survey ASAP so we can gather a more accurate count of our collective impact.

Individual Charity Efforts Our team went above and beyond, supporting various causes, including:

• Donating blood after years of hesitation
• Preparing materials for a Destination Imagination tournament
• Supporting the St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry in Dripping Springs, TX
• Packaging food for The Open Door Pantry
• Organizing a Rafferty’s Pizza Challenge to support CRES
• Preparing 70 meals for The Link Youth Homeless Shelter
• Collecting and donating food, toys, and supplies for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa
• Donating pet food and supplies to Bond Between and Carver Scott Humane Society
• Shopping for and donating essential items to the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
• Volunteering at Open Cupboard in Oakdale, sorting food donations
• Creating greeting cards for sick children in hospitals
• Organizing a kids’ resource room at Summit Church and painting a sign for their new Kids Station
• Volunteering at The Wildcat Sanctuary, assisting with animal care and socialization
• Packing and donating snack packs for children through The Open Door Charity

Future Volunteer Opportunities Several great organizations were suggested for future initiatives, including:

• Animal Welfare & Rescue: The Wildcat Sanctuary, ASPCA, Animal Humane Society, UnbreakaBull Pitbull Rescue
• Community & Family Services: Ronald McDonald House, Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, The Jeremiah Program
• Hunger & Shelter Support: Dorothy Day Center, Catholic Charities, Food Shelves, No Kid Hungry
• Youth & Health Initiatives: Special Olympics, Planned Parenthood, Breakthrough Type One Diabetes
• Various local and personal charities where employees are already involved

CG Connect Participation & Winner A special shoutout to the 10 employees who shared their experiences on CG Connect! 🎉 Congratulations to Kelli Kaup for winning the $25 CG Store prize with her heartwarming photo of her daughter making greeting cards for sick kids! 📽️ Check out our MLK Jr. Day of Service 2025 video here!

Keep the Spirit of Giving Alive! Giving back is a year-long effort! Remember to submit your matching donations throughout the year. If you're interested in volunteering, we still have a few spots left for the Futures Fair on February 19—reach out to the CG Charity Committee to sign up!

Want to get even more involved? Join the Charity Committee! We’re always looking for team members to help us make a greater impact.

Thank you all for your generosity and commitment to our communities. Let’s keep making a difference together!

It is that time of year to sign up for the MLK Jr Day of Service. Please sign up for your MLK Jr. Day of Service option here. All submissions are due by the end of the day on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Please be sure to complete the survey even if you are enrolled in EPIC Systems training that day.

Volunteer Options We have a variety of ways to participate in the MLK Jr. Day of Service: 1. Off-Site Options **a. Feed My Starving Children -sign up here and fill out the MLK Jr Day survey. **

• CG has reserved spots at Feed My Starving Children in Chanhassen on January 20, from 12:00-1:45 PM (20 spots available).
• If you prefer a different date, sign up on the form, and we will coordinate an alternate session if there’s enough interest.
• Note: Spots are limited, so please sign up early to secure your spot. Family members are welcome to join; include them in your sign-up.

b. Monticello Help Center - TBD

• Located near the Monticello office.

c. Quiet Oaks Hospice Center - Date and Time to be determined by the office.

• Located near the Waite Park office.

d. Boys and Girls Club Twin Cities Futures Fair – Feb 19th 10:30-3:30 (shifts available)

• Jerry Gamble Club (2410 N Irving Ave, Mpls) Volunteer Opportunities – set up for lunch, serve food, tear down food, help wayfinding, give out stickers to session participants, etc.

2. On-Site Options **Making Fleece Tie Blankets (or organize your own charity of your choice activity in the office) **

• The CG Charity Committee will provide supplies to assemble fleece tie blankets.
• Kits will be available that day in Eden Prairie, Monticello, and Waite Park.
• Gather your team and schedule an assembly time at your office. Or work alone!

3. Remote Option: A Charity or Cause of Your Choice

• We encourage you to give back in a way that’s meaningful to you.
• If you would like to make a fleece tie blanket remotely, the kits will be available to pick up by January 13, in the Eden Prairie , Monticello and the Waite Park offices. You can purchase your own supplies and expense them.
• For suggestions for at-home projects or other local charity ideas, check out the curated list on the Knowledge Center here.

Action Item Please be sure to select your MLK Jr. Day of Service option here no later than the end of the day on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. This early notice is to help with your planning. Take your time and fill out the form when ready. Please fill out the form even if you are participating in EPIC training and not volunteering that day. More information about these events will be shared in early January. We look forward to giving back together this MLK Jr. Day!

FAQs What should I do before and after my volunteering shift?

• Your chosen activity may only take a few hours. You can choose additional service activities on your own or take time to read and educate yourself on MLK’s history.

What if my kids have the day off from school?

• Include them! Remote options like card/letter writing or assembling care packs are great family-friendly activities

Do I have to volunteer?

• We strongly encourage everyone to participate in acts of service. However, if you’re unable to volunteer, you may choose to work on this day.

What if I’m scheduled for EPIC training that day?

• Employees that are participating in EPIC training on January 20th can utilize a floating Day of Service on another date. Those employees will see a bank of 8 volunteer hours in Paylocity, which will expire at the end of 2025. We’ll also explore organizing smaller volunteer groups on alternative days.

Questions? Reach out to the CG Charity Committee:

• Cal Simmons
• Mady Sheets
• Amanda Vagle
• Brandon Boelter
• Ashton Sabatino
• Alyssa Blake
• Derek Heaton
• Matt Warren