Surprise!

Well, I wasn't completely surprised about this article in the paper, but it did go in a different direction than I thought. I thought the article was about MACSTEEL's jean fund, and what we're doing in the community. I LOVE running this fund, sending donations to deserving charities, bouncing ideas off coworkers about the next lucky recipient, etc. I was so excited to see this in the paper :)

Tracking donations

An executive secretary at MACSTEEL's general office is making it easier for her co-workers to help Jackson charities.

Beth Hamlin, the self-appointed collection agent for her office's casual Fridays, voluntarily keeps track of weekly donations 30 fellow employees make for the priviledge of wearing jeans on Fridays. She then distributes their donations to a variety of worthy causes.

"Beth's a working mom with four children who also takes care of all of us here at the downtown office," said Roni Soltis, supervisor of inside sales and customer service. "She stays in contact with different groups and charities and knows where our monetary donations will best serve the community."

In 2005, the office raised $1,700 with its Jean Day program, helping nonprofits such as Grace Haven, Immanuel Lutheran Church Food Bank, Respite Center, and Florence Crittendon Center.

"I keep the money local and try to help the smaller charities that may not have large fund-raising campaigns," Hamlin said.

MACSTEEL employees also raised $3,400 for the Warm the Children program, and they adopt families at holidays.

Pretty cool!!!