"The office Angel Tree is a great opportunity for Bandit employees to give back to people in their own community," explains Bandit 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 employees also participate in the Salvation Army Angel Tree Programme. In this programme, a company such as Wal-Mart or Target (among others) places a Christmas tree in a pedestrian high-traffic 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 employees all pile into rented vans one afternoon in early December to shop at a local store for children in need. They are 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."
(Jim Evans)
