“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve…You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love,” said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Unum’s caring spirit aligns with Dr. King’s vision of a society where people share love and respect for one another. To honor his legacy, Unum and Colonial Life employees made personal commitments to extend his values into the community during the MLK Week of Service.
“To give back is a great way to become a part of the community. It lets me know where support is needed and how I can bridge those gaps,” said Denise Colon, professional development program associate at Unum. “It is the ultimate form of spreading love and kindness – so why not pay it forward?”
During the third week of January, Unum and Colonial Life employees from Chattanooga, Baton Rouge, Columbia, Portland, Worcester and field offices around the county volunteered to support local organizations. These individuals participated in a variety of community service events including packing and sorting food for food banks, working with youth to build healthy life and wellness habits and talking to senior citizens who live alone to brighten their day.
“Volunteering is important because it gives essential help to people in need,” said T.J. Gustafson, managing director of sales and client management at Unum. “I participated in a full-day Executive Team Board Retreat for City of Dreams, a San Francisco based organization that helps create better futures for children in underserved communities through mentorship and youth development.”
Lending a helping hand doesn’t have to be difficult, what matters most is showing up where there is a need.
“When giving back, the key is to find something you enjoy. This way it is not a one and done event. When you find something you love, you will want to continue giving back to that organization,” said McCall Sheorn, Core Market program specialist at Colonial Life.
“Community service doesn’t have to take up a lot of time. A little goes a long way, whether it’s physical, financial, or spiritual. It presents opportunities to meet some incredible people and have fun,” said Gaela Moncrief, senior administrative assistant.
