Feb. 16, 2007 – Innovative employees recently delivered goods they collected over a two-week period to benefit two local charities on St. Thomas. Sixemployees representing hundreds of other Innovative employees were on hand at the Catholic Charities Bethlehem House and Family Resource Center to present the charity representatives with various boxes and bags of groceries, water, clothing, shoes, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, linens, pillows and even beds.
The idea for collecting the donations was born out of the employees' desire to give to needy persons in the community for Valentine's Day. However, by the time Valentine's Day came around, the participation was so great that they continued to collect donations on Valentine's Day and presented them the day after.
Bethlehem House Shelter Manager Richard "Sky" Gomez said he welcomed the donations and encouraged future donors to not only give during the holidays, but also throughout the year. Most people, he said, wait until Thanksgiving and Christmas to donate, but assistance is needed daily, and he urged corporations and individuals to take this into consideration when deciding when to donate.
"Call me at 774-HOME and I'll come pick up your donations," Gomez said.
The idea to donate to the Bethlehem House and the Family Resource Center was not a new one. This is the third time the Innovative employees have come together for this purpose. In response to Gomez's plea for continued assistance, Innovative Telephone Business Office Supervisor Amey Archibald pledged that the employees would make donations on a regular basis.
Employees presenting the donations represented Innovative Telephone, Innovative Cable TV, Innovative Powernet, Innovative Wireless, Innovative Long Distance and Innovative Business Systems.
