Access Self Storage, with six facilities in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, area, encouraged its employees to make a difference in their communities during the winter holidays and is now offering customers a donation-matching program so they can do the same.
During the companys annual Christmas party in December, company owner Doug Hunt gave $100 to each of his facilities, letting the managers decide how to use it. The only stipulation was that the money be used to benefit others.
- John and Marylin Wynn, managers of the Oak Cliff facility, gave their $100 to Mary Williams, president of Hands of Mercy, who used it to provide holiday gifts for a grandmother and her five grandchildren.
- Jeff and Debbie Ford, managers of the Lancaster facility, gave the money to a tenant and her child, who had been evicted from their home and were living out of their car.
- Red Oak facility managers Tom and Betty Miller chose to help a man who routinely comes through their property looking for items that can be sold or recycled. His gas and food money comes almost exclusively from scavenging.
- Doris LeFever of the East Dallas facility provided food and Christmas presents for a single mother and her eight children in the midst of their griefthe familys youngest child had recently drowned.
- Lori and Carlos Cabanas of the Garland facility gave their funds to a couple who had come to Dallas in search of work and ended up mugged and penniless. Lori found the couple sitting at her dumpster one morning and knew they needed her help.
We wanted to let our employees share in the opportunities we have as a company to make in difference in our cities, Hunt said. Access regularly hosts fundraising events for charities, schools and educational organizations.
Now Access has started a donation-matching program to benefit the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and other charitable organizations. Donations in any amount up to $2,000 will be accepted and matched by the Access corporate office.
Founded in 1921, the hospital has helped more than 190,000 Texas children at no cost. It specializes in orthopedics, learning disabilities and certain neurological disorders.
