The Verger team recently coordinated a volunteer event to support Springwell Network, a nonprofit and United Way member agency that provides residential care and support services for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Springwell operates several homes in Winston-Salem, helping residents build independence and grow within their community.
Intentional Community Engagement
Verger's team is passionate about giving back to our local community — through volunteering, service projects, board service, and giving. Over the years, our employee-driven philanthropy efforts have grown, and we've utilized our community connections and nonprofit networks to expand our reach. This project was organized in partnership with HandsOn of Northwest North Carolina, an organization we've worked with in the past to match team members with open board seats. This time, HandsOn helped us identify a project matched to our group's size, timing, and interests — a great way to connect with a new organization efficiently and thoughtfully. HandsOn NWNC can build a customized list of service projects tailored to an organization's goals, including focus area, date, time, age range, group size, and budget — a resource we'd encourage other businesses to consider.
A Day of Planting and Connection
The project focused on landscaping the front areas of two Springwell residential homes. Our team cleared old landscaping, planted flowers and greenery, and refreshed the exterior beds — hot, humid work, but a welcome break from our desks. Best of all was the time spent with Springwell's residents, who joined in planting, helped choose the layout of the flowers, and watered everything at the end. They were a joy to work alongside, and our team left grateful for the chance to connect with them.
"Our team enjoyed getting to know the residents of Springwell and we were honored to do a project to brighten up their homes. It was so fun watching our team and the residents choose the flowers and even though it was hot, everyone was enthusiastic and enjoyed the time together being outside. Organizing days like this is very rewarding, and seeing our team connect with the people we're there to support is special." -Tricia Walker, Operations Director
Employee-Driven Philanthropy at Verger
Much of Verger's volunteer and philanthropic engagement is led by individuals across our team. Tricia Walker, Verger's Operations Director, has been especially instrumental in building this culture — connecting our team with causes that matter to us, including several organizations recently that support some of our community's most vulnerable neighbors. These initiatives strengthen our ties to Winston-Salem, create tangible impact, and give our team new ways to work together.