FAIRWINDS CommUNITY Crew: Making a Positive Impact
Generous living and giving can make an extraordinary difference in transforming the lives of others. See how our CommUNITY Crew program is making that happen one volunteer hour at a time.
“Volunteering is the perfect way to strengthen our ties to our community while serving the needs of others.”
- Christine Scheel, FAIRWINDS Crewmember
When it comes to living and giving generously, longtime FAIRWINDS crewmember Christine Scheel doesn’t just talk the talk. She walks the walk along with hundreds of crewmembers who are passionate about donating their time and talents to the communities we serve.
Inspired by crewmembers like Christine, FAIRWINDS introduced a new volunteerism and workplace benefit: the CommUNITY Crew volunteer program earlier this year.
Through CommUNITY Crew, every FAIRWINDS crewmember is provided up to eight hours of paid time off annually to volunteer. In addition, Christine and her fellow crewmembers can choose from a wide range of volunteer opportunities, including FAIRWINDS-sponsored events or causes they are passionate about.
"We believe that giving our crewmembers the opportunity to volunteer during work hours not only enriches their lives, but also strengthens the vibrancy of the communities in which we live and work," said Elisha González, Vice President of Community Relations & Government Affairs for FAIRWINDS, and Executive Director of the FAIRWINDS Foundation.
Celebrating National Volunteer Month
While the program officially launched at the beginning of the year, the CommUNITY Crew put their efforts in overdrive during National Volunteer Month. Held in April every year, it’s an opportunity to celebrate volunteers' work and contributions and their commitment to giving back.
Crewmembers collectively volunteered 200 hours in April toward various community initiatives, supporting a dozen local nonprofit organizations. From feeding underserved military and veteran families to teaching financial education, empowering youth, alleviating homelessness, caring for animals, and many others, our crewmembers’ involvement in these causes has helped change the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.
In 2023, crewmembers volunteered more than 800 hours to organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Wreaths Across America, Give Kids the World, A Gift For Teaching, Junior Achievement, Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, and Clean the World. With the new volunteer paid time off benefit now available, Elisha looks forward to crewmembers’ collective volunteer hours significantly increasing each year.
"We are excited to provide CommUNITY Crew as part of our ongoing efforts to drive change in the communities we call home," said Elisha.
The Value of Donating Your Time
The program also reinforces how volunteering time and talent is as valuable as a monetary donation. According to Independent Sector, the national estimated value of a volunteer hour in 2024 is $33.49.
Creating connections through volunteering is another valuable – and priceless – benefit. “Volunteering keeps me informed of the issues and needs surrounding me and how I can make a positive impact. I think it’s important for all of us to stay connected,” says Christine.
Elisha adds, “The CommUNITY Crew Volunteer Program reflects FAIRWINDS’ commitment to living generously and fostering a culture of giving back. The program not only benefits our communities, it promotes a sense of purpose beyond the workplace.”
Generous living and giving can make an extraordinary difference in transforming the lives of others. That is what the CommUNITY Crew program will continue to do long into the future.