Spotlight On...Winston for Good’s Year of Impactful Service

Our firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility program – Winston for Good – aligns with our values, fosters a culture that intentionally makes an impact, and has a heritage of service and giving focused on four pillars: Access to Justice, Education, Communities & Culture, and Sustainability.

In 2019, firm members across the globe volunteered their time, talent, and energy by partnering with a variety of organizations to help enhance the lives of others.

Martin Luther King Jr. said “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘what are you doing for others’.” Winston for Good teams across the country answered that question by leading off 2020 with a variety of community service projects.

• In Washington, D.C., we made 500 sandwiches for Martha’s Table, which delivers healthy food and hot meals to the city’s homeless population 365 days a year.

Alicia Lynn, Supervisor of Administrative Services and D.C. office Winston for Good team leader

“As we reflect on Dr. King’s life and his teachings, our MLK Day of Service brought us together to help provide solutions to our most pressing national problems and move closer to Dr. King’s visions.”

 

• Volunteers in San Francisco chopped vegetables, sorted food donations, made salads, and assembled bagged lunches for the GLIDE Daily Free Meals Program, which provides 2,000 meals a day to those most in need in the city. The most profound moment of the day for our volunteers was their encounter with the community members waiting outside for daily lunch service to begin.

Tammy Beauparlant, Human Resources Coordinator and San Francisco office Winston for Good team leader

“The importance of serving was made clear in that moment, as we were acknowledged and thanked by the people of the community that we were there to serve. Dr. King has said that ‘Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.’ We were all feeling great that day.”

• Our Silicon Valley office met other needs of the homeless in our communities, assembling hygiene kits with toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, hand sanitizer, and other travel-sized items as well as a pair of socks for donation to Haven Family House.

Ciara Garlitos, Legal Administrative Assistant and Silicon Valley office Winston for Good team leader

“There is no better way to honor Martin Luther King Jr. than to come together as a group and do something to help others without expecting anything in return.”

• The Los Angeles Winston for Good team worked with Operation Gratitude to hand-make Paracord Survival Bracelets for deployed troops, veterans, and first responders. In an emergency, these bracelets can be unraveled to provide 7.5 feet of super-strong rope or string and have many other potentially life-saving uses as a sling, sewing thread, and to make nets.

Diana Galvez, Supervisor of Administrative Services and Los Angeles office Winston for Good team leader

“We had so much fun working collaboratively on something so functional and meaningful. By making the bracelets, we were able to show our appreciation for those who serve our country and communities while contributing to their mission to save lives. It was a great opportunity to give back in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

• Honoring first responders and serving the homeless also were the focus of Chicago’s two service projects. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, volunteers visited with residents of the Pacific Garden Mission and provided them with hygiene kits assembled by Winston volunteers containing socks, hand warmers, toothbrush and toothpaste, a snack, and notes of encouragement. Over the weekend, we hosted an appreciation breakfast at Kusanya Café for police officers, fire department personnel, and EMTs who serve the Englewood community.

Ken Berry, Senior Litigation Paralegal and Chicago office Winston for Good team leader

“At the time of his death, Martin Luther King Jr. was actively involved in the poor people’s campaign. Our help for the homeless on his day embodies his work and memory. By taking it a step further and honoring first responders, it was truly rewarding. I’m sure Dr. King was smiling at those who chose to serve.”

 

• Firm members in New York had the opportunity to socialize with the residents of the Animal Haven shelter, help with walking the dogs, and make toys for the cats and pups. The office also has an ongoing collection of gently used linens that we donate to the shelter.

Nicole Thomas, Supervisor of Administrative Services and New York office Winston for Good team leader

“It was so nice to see that animals without a home can be so well taken care of by dedicated individuals. We felt like we made a difference in the animals’ day by simply showing them some love and affection, and look forward to going back to Animal Haven again soon.”

Visit the Winston for Good page to learn more about our CSR initiatives.