Bandit Lites wraps up 2007 with annual Angel Tree charities. Each of the company’s locations recently put up an Angel Tree in the lobby for employees who would like to help the less fortunate. The tree includes toy and clothing suggestions for foster children and local families who are unable to provide holiday gifts for their kids this year.
“The office Angel Tree is a great opportunity for Bandit Lites employees to give back to people in their own community,” explains Bandit Lites human resources coordinator, Cori Link. “The employees are not required to donate, but the majority of them do. I’m really proud to be involved with such a caring group of people.”
Bandit Lites employees also participate in the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. In this program, a company such as Wal-Mart or Target (among others) places a Christmas tree in a high-traffic pedestrian area. The tree is decorated in paper angel tags with the first name, gender, and age of a child who will receive the gift.
Bandit Lites employees all piled into rented vans one afternoon in early December to shop at a local store for children in need. They were each given $50 provided by the company to spend on one of the children listed on the store’s Angel Tree.
Nashville office manager, Andrea Sias, describes her experience, “I would do it even if Bandit wasn’t paying for it, but I think it’s awesome that Bandit gives everyone the opportunity to participate. You walk out of the store knowing that you really did something special for someone that needs it.”
Bandit CEO Michael T. Strickland adds, “The act of each employee taking part in the process makes the entire event much more meaningful than simply writing a check to a charity. It actually touches the lives of all those who participate each year. You end up really getting in the Christmas spirit by directly helping those less fortunate.”