Giving Back for a Greater Purpose
The adage, “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart” rang true for Alfa’s Marketing Department May 7.
Executive Vice President of Marketing Mark Evans; Executive Administrative Assistant Allison Nickolson; Senior Vice President of Marketing Services Matt Cobb; Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing Josh Johnson; Vice President of Advanced Sales Mike Jones; Senior Marketing Budget Specialist Mike West; and Advanced Sales Consultant Michael Gordon worked together to clear debris, improve the landscaping and clean the exterior of Montgomery nonprofit, The Grove.
“Once our team heard the needs of the nonprofit, it was a no-brainer to find a way to contribute,” said Nickolson, who helped organize the service day. “With so many people in our department having close connections to foster care, we knew we wanted to help where we could. We decided we could do some yard work and landscaping to make The Grove a little more welcoming.”
Founder and Executive Director Dawn Seabolt started The Grove after learning 20% of individuals who transition out of foster care become homeless. She praised the Marketing team for having a servant’s heart.
“We are so appreciative for their efforts in making these renovations,” Seabolt said. “They were able to complete the yard work just in time for us to host our open house, bringing the home’s curb appeal back to life.”
With a guiding principle that ‘everybody matters,’ The Grove provides affordable housing, job training, mentorship, financial literacy and support groups for young women who are aging out of foster care. The home will also house a bookstore and gift shop — The Grove Books — and a community space. Proceeds from purchases will supplement the nonprofit’s expenses.
Evans said this project hit close to home.
“This project brought back so many good memories of my parents and their lifetime contribution to help foster children,” he said. “My father served as vice president and president of the National Foster Parents Association in the '70s, and both he and my mother were lifelong advocates for children’s rights. We had 10 children in our home for much of the time my parents were involved in foster care, and I saw firsthand the influence, love and support they gave to so many children needing a stable family environment. Fostering made a big impact on their lives, as it did mine.”
Evans said The Grove will provide a supportive and encouraging environment for these young women to develop into independent young adults and future parents.
Visit The Grove to learn more about the nonprofit or donate.