Theodore Young feels that he got just as much as he gave through his experience of volunteering at the United Way HELP Center.

“It was fulfilling and eye-opening,” says Young, a credit specialist in ASI’s finance department. “I particularly enjoyed the sense of community and teamwork. Working alongside others who shared a passion for giving back was inspiring. It reinforced the idea that collective effort can significantly impact our community’s well-being. Additionally, the gratitude expressed by those we were helping was incredibly moving and made every effort feel worthwhile.”

ASI volunteers onsite at the HELP Center.

Young’s perspective sums up the sentiments of many of the ASI employees who joined him in volunteering at the HELP Center’s 8,000-square-foot warehouse/shop in Bristol, PA, on May 22. The do-gooding effort was part of ongoing ASI-coordinated initiatives that open the door for employees to give back to the local community through volunteering.

The company-backed assistance at the HELP Center followed a day after ASI hosted a number of area nonprofits at its corporate headquarters – an undertaking aimed at helping educate employees about these organizations and inspiring ASIers to support the organizations.

A collaboration between the United Way of Bucks County, the Bucks County Opportunity Council, and St. Mary Medical Center, the HELP Center fills the gap for local families in need by providing essentials like cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items and home goods free of charge, all through a dignified personal shopping experience.

Young and others who volunteered on May 22 assisted the Center through tasks like unpacking boxes filled with massive amounts of clothing and stocking the items on shelves and hangers. Amanda Dudek would do it again in a heartbeat.

ASIers say that volunteering to help sort and stock clothing at the HELP Center was a rewarding experience because they knew they were doing good and because of the camaraderie with co-workers.

“I like helping people and doing my part, and I enjoyed knowing I was doing something good for the community,” says Dudek, a collection specialist at ASI. “I also liked getting to know my co-workers as we worked together.”

Susan Hulme, who also volunteered, shares similar thoughts.

“It’s great that ASI donates their employees’ time to do good things in their community to help people who are less fortunate,” says Hulme, a customer success manager at ASI. “Volunteering with my ASI co-workers, getting to know them better, and helping our community was time very well spent. If we can help people in need in our community, that helps everyone who lives in that community.”

ASIers who volunteered encouraged colleagues to take part in future outreach events.

“It warms your heart,” says Lisa Vrabel, senior custom website coordinator at ASI. “Anything is possible when we unite for a common purpose. Imagine what could be achieved if everyone donated just one hour per month to their communities.”

Julie McGuire, a production manager at ASI, says everyone should volunteer at some point.

“There is something about volunteering that gives a person the realization that a community is made up of so many different kinds of people and that some need a helping hand,” says McGuire. “When you lend that helping hand, you really contribute and make a difference. And you get so much out of it personally. When I volunteer, knowing that I’m assisting others to achieve a more balanced life, it makes me feel good and humbles me.”

Helping the ‘Community’s Most Vulnerable’

ASI employees also had the chance to learn about volunteer opportunities with fantastic nonprofits on May 21. In the purple community room at corporate headquarters, a handful of vendors set up tables of information, with staffers present to discuss their missions and particular outreach initiatives with ASIers who stopped by.

Groups in attendance included the United Way of Bucks County, YWCA, Habitat for Humanity and Beds for Kids.

Tony Velez enjoyed talking with ASIers about the United Way. He had no shortage of swag to offer – something merch-conscious staffers noted with delight.

“Events like this, where we can meet face-to-face with people and educate them about what we do, are so important,” says Tony Velez, an assistant director with the United Way of Bucks County. “When people learn about us in person, they get inspired to help. It’s a great way for us to connect with new volunteers and generate donations, both of which are essential to us advancing our mission.”

Kathy Schoepfer, home repair coordinator at Habitat for Humanity, says on-site events with partners like ASI help the group educate the community that the organization does more than “just” build houses for those in need. It also offers outreach like home repair and financial-literacy instruction.

“Volunteers and donations are so important to what we do, and when we can help people understand all we offer, they’re more likely to offer that support,” Schoepfer says.

Marianne S. Watson of Beds for Kids with a bag of items the group would typically provide to a child in need when delivering them a bed.

Marianne S. Watson, development and communications coordinator for Beds for Kids, was eager to tell folks about the 26-year-old organization’s mission. The nonprofit provides children and youth living in poverty with beds, bedding and tools that encourage healthy bedtime habits, so they can get the quality and sufficient sleep they need to thrive.

“We served 2,107 in the Philadelphia area last year, but the need is sadly far greater,” says Watson. A $210 donation can provide everything a child requires to sleep well — a bed frame, mattress, set of sheets, blanket, pillow, several books, toothbrush and more, the group shares.

Kelly Pasquarella of YWCA says her nonprofit serves the most vulnerable people in the community.

Kelly Pasquarella, director of resource development at YWCA, says her organization works to empower women and eliminate racism by providing a range of compassion-fueled services that put people on the path to self-sufficiency and prosperity. From housing and youth/family services to extremely affordable summer camps, prevention education, an afterschool program and more, YWCA’s outreach is varied and far-reaching.

“We serve,” says Pasquarella, “the most vulnerable people in our community.”