KNOXVILLE, TN — A Grinch-like economy didn’t keep Bandit Lites from its holiday tradition of setting up an Angel Tree — which includes toy and clothing suggestions for a local family in need — at each of its locations. In fact, donations for 2008 exceeded those for 2007. “The office Angel Tree continues to be a great way for Bandit employees to give back,” said Cori Link, human resources coordinator. “The employees are not required to donate, but the majority of them do. I was especially proud that despite a weak economy this year, they were even more generous than last year.”
Along with its own Angel Tree program, Bandit Lites also supports the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. In this program, a company such as Wal-Mart or Target places a Christmas tree in a pedestrian high-traffic area. The tree is decorated in paper angel tags with the first name, gender and age of a child who will receive the gift.
Bandit Lites supports those programs by giving employees $50 to spend on one of the children listed on the Angel Tree in local stores. One afternoon in early-December, these employees piled into rented vans to shop for the children in need.
“Going Angel Tree shopping is another yearly tradition with Bandit,” said Linda Sayers, Bandit’s accounting manager. “It is such a rewarding experience to go fill up our carts with items and toys for children that would otherwise not have a Christmas. I have found it even touches the store’s cashiers and employees when they find out that our entire office is in their store buying for others.”
The company also collected over 400 new, unwrapped toys to be donated to the Nashville Rescue Mission from those attending the company’s 40th anniversary party.
“The act of each employee taking part in the process makes the event much more meaningful than simply writing a check to a charity,” said Michael T. Strickland, chairman. “It continues to touch the lives of all those who participate each year. You end up really getting in the Christmas spirit by directly helping those less fortunate.”
For more information, please visit www.banditlites.com.
