The Importance of Community Heroes
Hanging With Hal
The Importance of Community Heroes
Joan Marques, an American author, once said, "It's easier to take than to give. It's nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime." This statement speaks to my heart, and it is one of the core tenets of IST's culture.
Community means a lot to me and my wife, Rosa. We strive to support others where there is a need. For example, when we traveled to Lublin, Poland, last year, we created the Hal & Rosa Ukrainian Relief Fund. We asked the community to donate any amount, which I matched dollar for dollar. Collectively, we raised $29,272 for food and supplies for the Ukrainian refugees.
At IST, our IST Gives Back Program and servant's heart approach to running the business embraces a "Service to Others" culture. Volunteering one's time and talent is one example of doing some good. One of the volunteer organizations we help support is MUST Ministries. On any given night, 300 people are sleeping in a MUST bed. Dr. Dwight "Ike" Reighard is MUST Ministries' current President and CEO. Ike is also IST's Chief Ethics Officer and has been a personal friend of mine for many years.
In addition to donating our time and talent, we donate Chromebooks to MUST Ministries for the kids that need them for school. AT MUST Ministries, IST funded the Family Resource Center in their new shelter, Hope House, for people experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to help them get a fair shot at life. This organization will allow us to volunteer our time, talents, and money. Should you want to donate directly, you can do so online here.
Another initiative for which IST raises funds is the annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Great Strides program. All employees who raise at least $100 via fundraising pages can win a free weekend in Atlanta, including a two-night stay at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel, breakfasts, parking, and dinner for two. This new prize is in addition to our current Atlantis Bahamas raffle (for those making a $20 donation or more) and overall rewards for our Top 5 earners! We have already raised over $20,000! Our fundraising campaign continues until June 1st. I want to thank Lori Mitchum, Vice President of Human Resources, and her team for coordinating this effort. You, too, can be entered to win with your donation; download the flyers here: Atlantis Bahamas Raffle| 2-Night Atlanta Stay & Dinner
We have a lot to be thankful for. This year we are on solid ground, have excellent infrastructure, and are on track to have a very successful year in sales. Let's continue to rock and have a blast while growing this incredible company. Thank you for all that you do.
Contact Info
IST Management Services, Inc.
1341 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316