For years I've admired Frito-Lay's relationship with the United Way and, in recent years, the American Heart Association as part of Frito-Lay’s community commitment. But I also equally admire the Frito-Lay associates at our plants and field sales sites around the country who embrace this commitment by giving their time and resources to make a difference in their own communities. Our Houston sales teams are a great example of this through their volunteer efforts at the Texas Children’s Hospital.
John Dean, Frito-Lay’s Metro Market Director in Houston, told me, “In 2008, our sales teams set a goal to make a difference in our business, with our customers and in the community. And, we wanted to do something that was ongoing -- not just a one-time event. Our Human Resources Manager, Robert Sanchez, researched different volunteer opportunities in Houston, and our sales associates collectively decided to adopt the 14th floor at Texas Children's Hospital -- home to the pulmonary ward that serves, primarily, children with Cystic Fibrosis."
To really make a difference at the hospital, the Houston zone teams decided to divide and conquer. Jack Putnam, Zone Sales Leader, and the North Houston sales team “adopted” the 14th floor’s patients. Their first contribution was repainting the patient treatment center, where they turned the sterile white room into an exciting underwater adventure by painting an oceanic mural complete with a shipwreck, dolphins, corals, jellies and tropical fish. (Jack's mom, a professional artist, lent a helping hand).
Gregg Szot, Zone Sales Leader, and the Houston Southwest zone team “adopted” the 14th floor’s staff. Recently, the team raised enough money to donate a flat-screen television for the staff’s break room.
And Chris Broussard, Zone Sales Leader, and the sales team from the Houston Gulf Coast zone “adopted” the patients’ families. They recently built a mini-library in the waiting room and stocked it with more than 1,500 books!
"Although our teams are now doing great work at Texas Children’s Hospital, the hardest part of giving back was getting started and keeping it fresh," John told me. "Over the last two years, we've found that the ways we can help at the hospital keep evolving and improving. For example, this year, to celebrate the July 4th holiday, we visited the floor and brought ‘Uncle Sam,’ plenty of Frito-Lay snacks and some fun gifts for the children and their families."
Last month, Ragan Funderburke, the mother of a child in treatment for Cystic Fibrosis, wrote to Frito-Lay to thank the Houston associates for all the support and smiles they have brought to the children at Texas Children’s Hospital: “Thank you for taking the time to step out of the ‘corporate world’ and put a face of compassion on your company. You have made a lasting impression on my family and me. Your kindness did not go unnoticed in our time of need.”
I admire our Houston associates for all they are doing with Texas Children’s Hospital, and it’s clear that the patients, families and staff also appreciate their support. My wife, Janis, and I do what we can to give back in our community too. I volunteer on the Brand Leadership Council at the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and Janis volunteers weekly at the local Plano Clothes Closet and is active in Altrusa International, a professional volunteer organization that serves unmet needs in our community. Tell me about the community volunteering that you do.
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