Sealy, Old Dominion help restock area food pantries
Drive results in more than 384,644 items collected
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, December 17, 2007
TRINITY, N.C. – Sealy employees once again played a major role in leading the drive to restock The Salvation Army's local food pantries.
The employees joined area businesses in their support of the Corporate Holiday Challenge and the Sealy/FOX8 Holiday Concerts.
The sixth annual Corporate Holiday Challenge, led by Sealy, FOX8/WGHP and Old Dominion Freight Line, wrapped up in mid-December, breaking several of the event's previous records. This year, 33 companies accepted the challenge and more than 384,644 items were donated, both new records.
"The Corporate Holiday Challenge has become a Triad tradition that we look forward to each year," said Dave McIlquham, chairman and CEO of Sealy. "Our employees are passionate about this initiative because it helps strengthen the communities where we live and work."
Sealy employees alone donated more than 219,000 items in this year's challenge.
The Corporate Holiday Challenge culminated with the Sealy/FOX8 Holiday Concerts in Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Each provided a free night of family entertainment in exchange for donated items. Leaders at The Salvation Army said the challenge and Holiday Concerts are two of the biggest reasons the organization has the ability to meet the needs of area families when it comes to warm meals, baby items and personal care products.
Old Dominion has helped sponsor the Corporate Holiday Challenge for five years. This year, its employees donated more than 114,000 items to the cause.
"It is a privilege to work with a group of people who place such a high value on making a positive impact in the lives of those in need," said David Congdon, president and COO of Old Dominion Freight Line.
In addition to donating food, Old Dominion drivers volunteer their time each year to drop off and pick up collection boxes for companies participating in the Corporate Holiday Challenge and they transport all donations from the Holiday Concerts to The Salvation Army's storage facility.
The Corporate Holiday Challenge began six years ago when McIlquham wanted to find a way to supplement the canned food drive that takes place at the Sealy/FOX8 Holiday Concerts in Greensboro and Winston-Salem. In order to make the most of the effort, he extended the challenge beyond the doors of Sealy and on to local companies. The "friendly competition" has grown over the years as the piles of food have gotten bigger and bigger.
