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50 stories of people helping people

Editor's note: This story is the final story in our "50 Stories of People Helping People" series. As we celebrated Penske's 50th anniversary in 2019, we spotlighted associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

This past weekend, several Penske associates in the Peach State organized a breakfast at their local fire department to benefit first responders and families in the community.

Their event, Pancakes with Santa, originally started as a toy drive to benefit children and families in need during the holidays. Open to the public, attendees were asked to bring new and unwrapped toys for donation; in exchange, they received a stack of fresh pancakes and hot sausage. Afterward, children had the option of taking a photo with Santa Claus.

"We started hosting Pancakes with Santa at the fire department three years ago," said Josh Weaver, Penske Logistics' senior operations manager. "One of our associates is a volunteer firefighter here, and she introduced us to this charity they do annually that was in need of more staff to keep it going. A couple of us have since stepped in to help run it, and this year marked our fourth year involved."

Pictured left to right is Josh Weaver, Brian Rail and Kimberly Lawson.

Weaver and his team are the ones flipping the pancakes on the griddle and serving them to those in attendance. He also donates toys on behalf of their Penske location to support the cause.

That's not all. In addition to benefiting folks in the community, Weaver says the breakfast includes a raffle that supports the station's firefighters. When people enter, they can buy a raffle ticket for $5 toward a drawing later in the morning. This year's prize was a new Yeti cooler that Penske donated. The proceeds were then donated to the fire department.

"Over the last four years, we raised $1,600," said Weaver. "These men and women put their lives on the line for all of us. They purchase a lot of their own equipment, and we thought we could do a little more to help them, along with supporting the breakfast altogether."

Pictured to the right of Santa is Penske associate Heather Bing and the local fire department.

The senior operations manager says rallying associates together to volunteer at Pancakes with Santa isn't hard. He notes that this event is one that's circled on the team's calendar months in advance.

"I think it's a great thing for all of us to do," explained Weaver. "Yes, we're helping families and our local fire department, but we're also having a blast doing it."

"To do this as a group, I think it's a great team building activity for us. Getting involved in our community is important to many of us, and this event is a perfect and fun way for us to do just that."

Weaver gives credit to his entire team for the effort, including Heather Bing, Chris Wright, Kimberly Lawson, Brain Rail, John Ferguson and Michael Clark.

There's no question that Weaver's team looks forward to hosting Pancakes with Santa every year. What they're giving to people is more than just gifts and a hot meal; they're gifting an unforgettable and joyful experience. But, after four years of organizing this, it does beg the question: who on Weaver's team dresses up as Santa?

"Actually, it's one of the firefighters," chuckled Weaver. "Maybe in the future I or one of my coworkers will try on the red suit and hat. For now, we like working the griddle."

By Chris Abruzzo

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Editor's note: This story is part of our "50 Stories of People Helping People" series. As we celebrate Penske's 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

The season of giving has been in full swing for Penske associates all over the country. The holidays can remind us of how thankful and fortunate we may be, as well as grant us many opportunities to help others who may need a helping hand.

Over the past few weeks, Penske teams in Florida, California and Oklahoma got involved in their communities through several volunteer efforts.

Fighting Hunger Along Florida's First Coast

Recently, several associates in Jacksonville, Florida, spent their Saturday morning volunteering at the Hunger Fight 6th Annual Thanksgiving Community Outreach Event.

The organization's goal was to package more than 300,000 meals for distribution to local food pantries, mission homes and backpack programs throughout the area.

"We've had the opportunity to get involved with this initiative for a couple years now, and our team really enjoys doing what we can to make a difference," said Will Rock, branch rental manager. "It's always a lot of fun. We know how important it is to help our community, and we're happy to do it."

Rock's team prepared individually sealed meals of brown sugar oatmeal. Other meals being packaged were rice and beans, and mac and cheese. Overall, everyone packaged around 355,000 meals, exceeding their goal.

"Time flew by as we were working," said Rock. "Everyone worked while listening to fun music, like the Macarena."

Supporting Toys For Tots in Southern California

La Mirada, California, associates, as well as those at Penske's western region office, joined in on the holiday giving by holding a collection to support the U.S. Marine Corps Toys For Tots Program. According to the organization's website, the goal of the program is to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America's less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy.

The Penske team accepted donations from associates, and although the collection is currently going on, they have already filled one large box with 14 brand new toys.

"As soon as we heard about this toy drive, we knew we wanted to get involved," said Christine Nguyen, Penske western region executive assistant (pictured right). "We're happy to be a part of this effort that aims to bring joy to children during the holidays."

toys for tots

"Giving back to our community through donations means so much to help those in need and contribute to the common good," she added. "Knowing that you are helping others is hugely empowering, and in turn, can make you feel happier and more fulfilled."

Associates Deliver Toys to Children's Hospital

For the third consecutive year, the Oklahoma City district is participating in Operation Elf to deliver toys to children at OU Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City.

Operation Elf is the hospital's year-round fundraiser to collect toys for patients who will be spending Christmas morning in the hospital. This holiday effort is very close to Penske associate Heather Evans' heart.

"Around 13 years ago, my son was admitted to OU Children's Hospital," said Evans. "While we were there, volunteers with Operation Elf came by with a toy cart. Every child that stays at the hospital gets to select a toy from the cart on Christmas. And I had picked out mommy and baby stuffed giraffes for my son, who was three weeks old."

"When my co-workers had heard of my family's story and how much we appreciated Operation Elf, everyone knew this was an organization we wanted to get behind," said Evans.

According to Evans, every associate in the district participates. Last year, the Oklahoma City district collected more than 350 toys for children of all ages. The team hopes they can beat that total this year.

One thing Evans says everyone is looking forward to is their annual gingerbread house contest later this month.

"To participate in the fun, we ask associates to donate toys or money for toys to support Operation Elf," she said. "We have customers and vendors who participate as well by donating toys and serving as judges for the contest."

By Chris Abruzzo

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Editor's note: This story is part of our "50 Stories of People Helping People" series. As we celebrate Penske's 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

On a recent fall evening, as the temperature dipped outside, Penske associates in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, were serving warm meals with a side of fellowship to the area's homeless and hungry.

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Editor's note: This story is part of our "50 Stories of People Helping People" series. As we celebrate Penske's 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

Thanksgiving celebrations around bountiful dinner tables can prove to be elusive for families facing food insecurity.

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Editor's note: This story is part of our "50 Stories of People Helping People" series. As we celebrate Penske's 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

A nice, heavy winter coat can go a long way when trying to keep warm for the winter. In many regions across the United States, cold weather has already made its presence felt, even introducing colder-than-usual temperatures.

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On a sprawling retreat south of Louisville, Kentucky, Debi Tribbey was hard at work trying to wrestle with a group of vines, which formed a stranglehold on a section of fencing.

"There were so many tough vines that had gone through the fencing," said Tribbey, district financial manager for Penske Truck Leasing in Louisville. "It was almost like de-needling."

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Editor's note: This story is part of our "50 Stories of People Helping People" series. As we celebrate Penske's 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor's note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People" series. As we celebrate Penske's 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less
[Read more...]Show less

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less

Editor's note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People" series. As we celebrate Penske's 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

[Read more...]Show less