Twenty-two employees from across C&A participated in a fierce Cupcake Wars competition to determine who could create the best tasting and best looking cupcake confection. Entries were judged on presentation, originality, and taste on a scale from 1 to 10 with the three top highest scorers receiving prizes.

Congrats to (1st) Keisha in Aureus Allied Health (“It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere Margaritas”); (2nd) Jennifer in Marketing (“Over the Rainbow”); (3rd) Rebecca in Aureus Nursing (“Chocolate Chip Surprise”)!

In conjunction with the competition, more than 400 cupcakes, donated by C&A employees and local bakeries, CuppyCakes and TaylorCakes, were sold within our Omaha offices and generated funds for the upcoming 2012 NAMIWalk.

C&A is the Presenting Sponsor for the annual walk, to be held Saturday, June 9th at Turner Park in Omaha. The event is the major fundraiser for the Nebraska chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

Want to walk with the C&A team? Click here to sign up!

This is the fourth year in a row that C&A has received Best Places to Work distinction in the category of companies with more than 200 employees. And let me tell you, it feels great. I’m not one to get all “braggy”, but four years? That says something. And to celebrate our “4-Peat” (do people even say ‘4-peat’), senior management distributed cookies while they thanked each of us individually for being a part of the company’s success.

One of the best things about being on the “Best” list is knowing that my co-workers were involved in the process. So, it’s not like an outside entity was judging our company with only surface-level knowledge about what it’s like to work here, but rather our own team members took part in a confidential survey and were able to be candid about C&A as an employer. I don’t know about you, but generally I like sharing my opinions so when I’m asked, I’m happy to participate.

I’ve always felt good about telling my friends and acquaintances where I work. And I’ve referred friends, too – one of them starts his new job here next week. When I mention C&A, some recognize our big building off the Dodge Expressway in West Omaha. Others have seen our name associated with various community events. And of course others know of C&A as one of the Best Places to Work. Me? I just know that I love coming to work each day, that I feel valued, and that what I do means something.

The other perks of working here – great Wellness program, summer events, family outings, first rate training, and lunches with our CEO? Those are nice, too.

Omaha’s annual Best Places to Work initiative is sponsored by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Baird Holm.
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Mary Carrick is a Sr. Communications Specialist with C&A, Industries. In her role, she’s responsible for crafting spot-on copy for internal and external audiences, coordinating public relations efforts, co-producing videos, and various other special projects. Outside of her career at C&A, she’s a professional singer, an actress, and a mom.

Giving is a remarkable thing and gosh, if feels good.

One of the great things about working at C&A is the giving spirit that permeates our workplace throughout the year.

Our most widespread effort is AurElves, an annual C&A tradition. During the month of December, teams and departments across the company, including our regional offices, worked together to fulfill needs, instill hope, spread cheer, and just lend a hand. Together, we reached hundreds of families, children, seniors, and men & women of all ages. It’s hard to find words to explain the spirit and energy present at C&A during this time, other than “extraordinary.”

One team held a holiday concert and purchased gifts for the residents of Maple Crest Nursing Home. Another donated thousands of diapers to Lydia House, one of our local shelters for women and children. Other departments sent cards to troops overseas; volunteered time at outreach centers, the Salvation Army Toyland, The Food Bank for the Heartland, and Open Door Mission; served meals; and purchased supplies for the Ronald McDonald House, Ted E. Bear Hollow, and Rainbow House. And, of course, many teams adopted families through organizations such as the Salvation Army, Angels Among Us, the Visiting Nurses Association, and WCA, among many other acts of kindness and generosity.

Now that we’re full throttle into 2012, I know there are activities on the horizon and more ways that C&A employees can make a difference outside of our workspaces, such as the NAMIWalks in June, which raises funds for the Nebraska chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and other events. In fact, our NAMI Committee is already busy coming up with a slate of fun ideas that will get our co-workers involved and energized.

Stay tuned for these accounts. The year has just begun!

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Mary Carrick is a Sr. Communications Specialist with C&A, Industries. In her role, she’s responsible for crafting spot-on copy for internal and external audiences, coordinating public relations efforts, co-producing videos, and various other special projects. Outside of her career at C&A, she’s a professional singer, an actress, and a mom.

During the event, we also watched a video that highlighted the many ways C&A employees give back to the community. Working at a place that encourages this is an added bonus to being a member of the C&A team.
C&A employees have opportunities to give back year round but especially around the Holidays.

Some of the organizations that benefited from our employees contributions last year were: The Food Bank for the Heartland, Lydia House, Cooper Village, and Open Door Mission just to name a few. Seeing your co-workers giving back and creating strong ties in the community gives you some insight into what they are passionate about outside of work.

We recently kicked off our annual United Way Campaign and a company wide food drive benefiting the Food Bank of the Heartland. In the Human Resources and Benefits Departments we also typically help out with the Salvation Army’s intake for their Holiday programs as well as donating to Ted E. Bear Hollow.

Suffice to say, the giving spirit is alive here at C&A. And it’s great to be a part of it.

Being an artsy, music person, imagine how jazzed I was when I found out that C&A was a sponsor of Jazz on the Green, one of the hip and happening spots to enjoy some hot fun in the summertime. 

And – with glee – not only were we a sponsor, but C&A was going to make one of the dates a family affair, line up a reserved area on the lawn, and spring for dinner onsite.

I decided to bring my two year-old with me and make it a mother-son outing.  And the temps cooperated and dipped below 90.  Boy, this summer has been a scorcher. 

Employees, their families, and guests began arriving around 5:30 p.m., straight from work.  We enjoyed sandwiches and munchies on the lawn, mingled with each other, and took in the scene.

The featured entertainer, Steve Raybine and his band, began at 7:00.  You could really sense a cool vibe and the feeling of community out there on the lawn as newbies mixed with veteran attendees. 

Despite a light shower, the spirit certainly wasn’t dampened.  It was a fun place to be.  And great to know that C&A was a part of it. 

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Mary Carrick is a Sr. Communications Specialist with C&A, Industries.  In her role, she’s responsible for crafting spot-on copy for internal and external audiences, coordinating public relations efforts, co-producing videos, and various other special projects.  Outside of her career at C&A, she’s a professional singer, an actress, and a mom.

Over 20 people walked with the C&A team, raising nearly $5,300 for the cause!  And C&A was honored to be at the front of the line, leading the walk with our “Knock Out The Stigma” t-shirts.

A big thank you goes to the C&A employees who either participated in the event or contributed in some way to this great and very worthy cause. Overall, the NAMI Walk raised over $54,000! We are proud to have been a part of it.

Maybe it’s the time in which we live and all that’s going on in the world.  When something big happens, it’s comforting to think about someone thousands of miles away reading virtually the same headline in the daily paper and feeling the same angst, fear, exuberance, or sense of hope as you.   

I’ve also been thinking about my own workplace – the people I regularly work with and also those I pass in the hallways, give a “hey” to at the copy machine, and chat it up with while in line for the microwave in the break room. 

We have quite a few causes that we support at C&A.  Some are “corporate” driven causes and others are spearheaded by employees.  But, it’s most inspiring when there’s a cause that’s deeply rooted in the corporate “who we are” but is also passionately supported by our employee family.  It connects us and unites us – people from different departments and across all levels of the company, including our execs on the top floor. 

The NAMI Walk is one of the big events of the year for us.  You may not be familiar with NAMI, but chances are you know someone who is affected by mental illness. 

NAMI provides education, support, and advocacy for those who are suffering from mental illnesses as well support for their caregivers, family members, and friends.  It’s an important organization that does extraordinary work on behalf of those who are struggling, are in a dark place, and need somewhere to turn. 

One of the ways C&A supports the work of NAMI Nebraska is through the annual NAMI Walk.  We’ll be there on June 11th in Omaha’s Elmwood Park.  C&A is a corporate sponsor, but the real shout out goes to our employees who support the walk with great passion and fervor. 

Our enthusiastic committee members have planned a slate of activities to engage our colleagues and raise funds.  So far, we’ve had a breakfast, a grill-out, and next week we’ll each kick in some cash so we can spend a couple of work days in our comfy jeans.  We’re getting really close to our fundraising goal. 

And, of course, there’s the C&A contingent who will walk together at the event.  Some will have their kiddos in tow.  Others may bring their spouses or significant others. 

It’s inspiring to see compassion in action.  It’s inspiring to see that common thread bring people together.

We’re crossing our fingers for a bright and sunny day. Sunshine would be fitting for the NAMI Walk.  But regardless, together as a C&A community we will have helped make the future a little bit brighter for people who really need a ray of light. 

Learn more about the NAMI Walk.

About Mary Carrick:

Mary is a Sr. Communications Specialist with C&A Industries, Inc.  In her role, she’s responsible for crafting spot on copy for internal and external audiences, coordinating public relations efforts, co-producing videos, and various other special projects.  Outside of her career at C&A, she’s a professional singer, an actress, and a mom.

Each December, teams and departments from across C&A join together to reach out, infuse joy, and make the season just a little bit brighter for hundreds upon hundreds of people throughout the community.  It’s safe to say most all of our employees participate in some way, whether volunteering their time, shopping for gifts, or writing a check.

We call our Holiday giving initiative “AurElves”.  To explain, the prefix plays off of the names of several of our company divisions that also begin with “Aur”. 

This year, our many AurElves touched the lives of children, struggling families, senior citizens, and other men and women in need.  Some are homeless, some have sought shelter from domestic violence, some have children undergoing medical treatment, and others just need to know that someone cares. 

Here’s a glimpse into the Holiday magic that took place.  Then read on to learn more about our specific efforts. 

2010 QUICK STATS:

• 3,500 diapers donated
• Thousands of meals served
• 76 individuals adopted
• More than $800 cash donated
• Hundreds of pounds of non-perishable food items donated
• Clothing, paper and health products donated
• Craft items donated
• Through community specific events, collected thousands in cash donations and hundreds of pounds of food donated
• Hosted a craft hour with children
• Sponsored a holiday party
• Stocked and cleaned pantries/kitchens at shelters
• Decorated facilities for the holidays
• Assisted individuals shop for gifts for their children
• Donated teddy bears, craft items and gifts for stocking stuffers

 AURELVES IN ACTION:

Aureus Medical Divisions:

• Rehabilitation Therapy and Speech Branches volunteered at the Open Door Mission/Timberlake Outreach Center.  One team member noted, “Once we arrived we were immediately inspired to do what we could to help. After meeting with the volunteer coordinator we learned how important their services are to those in need. Our first task was to compile 300 sack meals for the overnight visitors they expected. I was really impressed to see how quickly the team broke up and started helping out. Everyone pitched in however possible, from mopping the kitchen floors to serving dinner.  Before the afternoon was over, we were already talking about when we could help out again.”
• Quality Assurance Team and Physician Search Division decorated the MICAH House in Council Bluffs for the Holidays.
• Medical Laboratory Branch donated 2,400 diapers to the Lydia House, a shelter for women.
• Radiology Branch adopted a family through the organization, Angels Among Us.  The family has a 6 year-old girl who has been battling cancer for several years. 
• Radiology Branch visited the Children’s Respite Center and presented them with a gift card to Target, which they planned to use to buy presents for the kids and given to them at their Holiday party. 
• FocusOne Solutions adopted the same thankful family they have adopted for the last several years; nine children (ages 1 – 17).
• Cardiopulmonary Branch, with the help of AurStaff and Sonja Markle, worked with the Stephen Center, which partners with the community, families and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction, and poverty.  The team provided a chili lunch for more than 40 residents on December 17, including pies, corn bread, chips, and cookies for the rest of the day. The team also collected non-perishable food items and other necessities; delivered more than three SUV loads of donated clothes and supplies; and Hy-Vee provided a grocery cart full of donated food.
• Nursing – East Branch helped out at the Salvation Army Toyland event on Friday, December 17.  They assisted parents, grandparents, and guardians who had registered for the program as they gathered gifts for their children.
• Nursing – SW Branch donated 1,092 diapers for the Lydia House.
• Nursing – Mountain West and Advance Practice teams volunteered at the Food Bank for the third year in a row sorting food in the warehouse. One team member noted, “It is an honor to give back to the community and help an organization that greatly impacts the less fortunate.” 
• Nursing – Midwest Branch hosted a craft hour at Children’s Hospital.
• Nursing – California and Midwest Branches – adopted a family with a very sick six year-old child (“Meme”) who was born with Chronic Ideopathic Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction.  He has undergone two transplants, suffered from organ rejection, and endured many surgeries.  He is now dealing with graft-versus-host rejection and recently decided that he would rather, “dance with the angels” than be put through more treatment.  He’s been given only six more months to live.  The branches raised more than $400 dollars and received a $50 gift card donation from the Amazing Pizza Machine. The branches purchased personal items for “Meme” and also gifts for his mother and sisters.  Said one team member, “When meeting Meme, it was hard to believe that he had gone through as much as was told to us.  His spirit was uplifting, he was full of personality, and he made us all laugh. His mother said this was the first Christmas in six years that she is able to spend with all three of her children together. A bitter sweet Christmas.”
• Administrative Team served lunch at the Open Door Mission. Stacey Steyskal indicated that the people they served were so thankful and appreciative of them being there to help. 

 Celebrity Staff:

• Des Monies Branch volunteered for the Combat Hunger Food Drive sponsored by Des Moines radio station STAR 102.5.  Adam McCoy and Ben Nunnikhoven joined many other premier Des Moines employers on Thursday Nov. 18, 2010, and collected thousands in cash donations and more than seven pallets of food.  All donations went directly to the Food Bank of Iowa.  
• Lincoln Branch adopted a family of four through Matt Talbot’s Kitchen, providing the family an uncooked Thanksgiving meal.  The team also adopted the same family for Christmas. 
• Omaha Branch served meals at the Open Door Mission.

 AurHomes:

Purchased gifts and stocking stuffers for the Siena Francis House.

 Aureus Group:

Worked with Cooper Village in Omaha, which provides a highly structured academic and residential psychiatric treatment for boys aged 12 to 18.

There were 45 children in need this year. Aureus Group put together individual gift baskets containing a number of items that were a combination of fun and practical. 

In past years, Aureus Group provided Cooper Village with a projector television and a couple of Wii councils. This year they purchased four additional Wii games and a ping pong table for their community room. The kids will also be rewarded for good behavior through tickets to UNO, Creighton, and Omaha Lancer sporting events. Along with the gifts, the team threw the kids a Holiday party.

None of this would have been possible without the contributions made by Aureus Group employees who were kind enough to contribute anything they could to help these kids have a happy Holiday.  Along with Aureus Group, corporate sponsors provided donations, including Costco, CVS Pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Subway, Mr. Goodcents, Scheels, UNO, and Creighton.

 Corporate Departments:

• Executive Team served lunch at the Open Door Mission on December 10.
• Chris Orsborn, Natalie Nowak, Barb Ely, Lori Wolf and Dana Gross volunteered their time at the Salvation Army.  They registered families for aid during the Holidays (groceries and Christmas gifts for their children through the Adopt-a-Family program featured on Omaha radio station 104.5.)
• B&I team provided craft supplies to Ted E Bear Hollow to be used during their Tinsel & Tears day camps for children grieving from the loss of a loved one. 
• Training & Development adopted a family of five through the YWCA.
• Marketing Department donated blankets to the Lydia House and will be serving a meal at the Open Door Mission
• IS / IT teams donated 20 teddy bears to Children’s World Daycare and Respite Center for their Christmas party.  On December 1, a group of employees, spouses, and children donated their time at the Open Door Mission.  They were immediately put to work, serving food, cleaning out the pantry and washing dishes.  The teams also sponsored a family with six children from the Salvation Army. When talking with the mother about their needs, she indicated all she wanted and needed were groceries, nothing special for herself.  The team had fun shopping for all six kids’ clothes and a fun gift.  They also included a grocery card.

 Many thanks to our AurElves Coordinator, Chris Orsborn, for spearheading a very successful AurElves 2010 and for providing this recap of the remarkable and collective efforts of C&A employees.

I like to think we have something special at C&A.  In fact, I know we do. 

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About Mary Carrick:

Mary is a Sr. Communications Specialist with C&A Industries.  In her role, she’s responsible for crafting copy for internal and external audiences, coordinating public relations efforts, co-producing videos, and various other special projects.  Outside of her career at C&A, she’s a professional singer, an actress, and a mom.