Community Support: March Madness Bracket Winner Gives Back
Every year, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ hosts a March Madness bracket challenge designed to build a bit of competitive fun around the office and support great causes that are meaningful to our associates.
The winner of the bracket challenge receives half of the entry proceeds, and ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ matches the other half to make a donation to a charity of the winner's choice.
This year, Project Engineer Alan Sparling was our lucky winner. Alan will be donating $670 to one of his favorite charities,.
Alan says it was Auburn University that sealed his win. "I didn't choose Virginia to go all the way. The pick that won it for me was Auburn. I watched them play in the SEC tournament and they looked good. I knew they would make a run and it would separate me from the rest of the office when they beat KU!" (Sorry Jayhawks!)
Giving the Basics provides the necessities of life, not covered by government assistance programs, that most people take for granted such as laundry soap, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper and other personal care hygiene products. These products immediately impact low-income families with small children, students, battered women, veterans, seniors, former prisoners and the mentally ill.
"I really like the charity mission Giving the Basics has of helping people succeed by providing basic hygiene products," Alan said. "This boosts confidence and prepares them for success. I think the access most of us have to personal hygiene items is something we take for granted. There are many people who don’t have shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste etc., and these are things that can empower people to succeed."
