Strengthening our communities and giving back in the places we do business is the foundation of who we are at Enterprise – both at a local level, and on a national scale.
My Purpose. My Time.
To further support employees in their efforts to strengthen the communities where they live and work, Enterprise introduced a new benefit in 2020 called My Purpose. My Time. Employees receive paid volunteer time each year toward an organization or cause of their choice. Since the benefit was introduced last year, employees have put over 56,000 individual hours into improving their communities – and that’s in addition to the existing group volunteer efforts of many local branches!
We also amplify our employees’ community service efforts by allowing employees to submit grant requests for nonprofits where they regularly volunteer. In fiscal year 2020, the Enterprise Holdings Foundation donated $57.5 million worldwide, with 98 percent of those grants fulfilling employee requests.
This week in the U.S. it’s National Volunteer Week, and we’re celebrating people who serve as points of light in their communities by offering their time and service. Using their My Purpose. My Time. volunteer day, employees throughout Enterprise Holdings have shared the personal value of serving within their own communities. We’re highlighting two difference-makers at Enterprise and the causes they rally behind. Keep reading to find out how they put their volunteer time to use in their own neighborhoods.
Blazing trails
Brison C., Management Assistant in Colorado, finds his purpose in the great outdoors. He grew up in the flat lands of Colorado, but in college he found himself living on the opposite side of the state surrounded by mountains, trails and endless new adventures. The access to outdoor activities and the many miles Brison logged on mountain trails nudged him to find a way to contribute to the upkeep of his newfound passion and reverse the effects of overused trails.
“Nearly all mountain biking trails in western Colorado are maintained and built by volunteers,” says Brison. “After spending so much time on trails and reaping the benefits of being immersed in nature, I came to appreciate the mission of Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trial Association (COPMOBA), which provides equipment and organizes volunteer days for trail building and upkeep.”
Brison used his My Purpose. My Time. volunteer day to support the Palisade Plunge. “When complete, the Plunge will offer 32 continuous miles of back-country riding with stunning views and amazing trail – something many riders only dream of,” explains Brison. “Having a volunteer day to use was a great motivator to continue helping my community become a better place.”
Small Steps, Giant Impact
Yvette B., Vice President of Sales – Replacement & Leisure Division, used her My Purpose. My Time. volunteer day to take a walk. A long walk, that is, for which she and her team spent months planning and fundraising. From her home in St. Louis, Yvette participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Yvette began walking for Alzheimer’s about 14 years ago when her mother was diagnosed with the progressive disease. “I previously walked with my sisters, but six years ago I joined a coworker in starting our first Enterprise team,” she says. “This year I experienced more firsts: a virtual walk and the ability to use my volunteer day to participate.”
Over the past six years, Yvette’s team has grown both in size and impact. “Our Enterprise Rent-A-Car Angels for Alzheimer’s team raised $5,000 our first year,” says Yvette. “I’m proud to say through Foundation grants, online raffles, auctions and other small efforts we raised more than $33,000 in 2020.”
With COVID restrictions in place, the walk this past fall became a remote event. Alzheimer’s never stops, though, and neither did Yvette. She set out with her sidekick, Benny the Dalmatian, and Tracy and pounded the pavement on her volunteer day. “I was thrilled to make use of the My Purpose. My Time. benefit by walking to remember so many people,” says Yvette. “I will walk every day until the first survivor of Alzheimer’s is identified, and I’m honored to be able to do that with Enterprise.”