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.

C&A’s annual weight loss competition, Weigh-to-Goal, has kicked off and nearly one-quarter of our workforce is getting serious about diet and exercise. Two weeks in, weekly weigh-ins have begun and already we can hear more “healthy speak” in the breakrooms and around the water cooler.

In this competition, nobody gets kicked off and leaves the ranch. And, we’ve done away with awarding top finishers based on percentage, so as to encourage weight loss that’s achieved in a healthful way, without extremes.

This year, the contest focuses on personal goal-setting with prizes going to those who meet their mid-point goals and a grand prize drawing for those who meet and exceed their goals at the end of the 12 and 18-week tracks.

It’s early yet but if history rings true, as a group we’ll shed hundreds of pounds. It’s one of those times when it’s great to be a loser. We’ll keep you updated on our progress!

Hundreds of C&A employees converged on the Embassy Suites LaVista to recognize outstanding performers, get excited about our future, and celebrate the accomplishments of our organization over the past year. An entire event dedicated to our employees. It was inspiring and a lot of fun.

Everything from the configuration of our meeting room, to décor and hors d’oeuvres played off of our zen-like theme, “Satori: Enlighten & Ignite” (def. “satori”: sudden enlightenment).

Cy Wakeman, a nationally known writer and speaker kicked things off with a dynamic presentation that challenged all of us to consider whether or not we’re ready to use the abilities and talents we have to seize the opportunities presented to us. She pulled from her personal experience running a marathon and delivered it in her trademark straight forward yet humorous style. I know I was motivated and others I talked with afterwards were as well.

After Cy’s presentation a series of individual and team awards were presented, including our President’s Club, Outstanding Team Achievement, and Employee of the Year awards, among many others.

As employees moved to the post-awards reception, we were greeted by a rumbling “fire and ice” sound and light show. For a while I thought I was in Las Vegas. It was also fun just to mingle the crowd and talk with fellow employees and spouses about the event and just catch up a little.

It’s always amazing how many people work for C&A when you see them all together in one room. It was also a perfect opportunity to personally congratulate the award winners and thank those who worked so hard to organize the event.

As I was driving home, I was glad that our senior management team understood the importance of this recognition event. Even in a tougher economy, when many companies are cutting out the frills and extra expenses, they made sure that employees were recognized for their contributions, understood the vision for our future, and had the opportunity to celebrate accomplishments. I can’t wait to see what this upcoming year has in store for all of us at C&A.
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About Bret Williams: Bret began his career at C&A in 2002 as a recruiting manager. He was awarded C&A’s highest honor of Employee of the Year in 2005 and has continued to grow with the company as it has expanded, now serving as the Director of HR, a position he’s held since 2006. Bret has a bachelor’s degree in HR management is an active member of both The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the local Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM) organizations. Away from work, family, church, and basketball consume most of Bret’s spare time. He serves as an Elder in his church and volunteers for many of its activities and committees. Bret also coaches girl’s basketball and is currently in his third season as head coach for one of Millard West girl’s feeder teams. When he’s not spending cherished time with his wife and two kids, Bret jumps on his Harley Softtail and goes for a ride or grabs a fishing pole and heads for the lake.

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.

Sure, it’s exciting.  But, think back to your first day of school – new teachers, new classmates, and a new curriculum.  While we age, mature, and gain life experience, somehow that “first day” feeling hangs with us whether we’re 5 or 35. 

Part of my role in HR is prepping our new team members, before their first day, for what’s to come.  Knowing what to expect calms some of those new job jitters and also allows our new team members to be best able to hit the ground running.

Recently, a new group of Account Managers started at C&A.  The week prior, my team of HR recruiters called each of them to verify everything was set for their first day.  Typically, our new hires have last minute questions and we provide a refresher.

Orientation is first on the first day schedule.  Employees get a bit of company history, tour the building, meet other staff, and learn more about the organization and how employees operate day to day. 

The Training department spends time making sure new employees understand the basics of the phone system, our company email system, and other key software that relates to their position. 

Our new Account Managers are each assigned a Mentor who they get to know over lunch as well as others in their new hire training class.  Because our sales training is 10-weeks long, getting to know others in their class on a personal level is helpful and this gets the group off to a great start. 

One of the things we talk to our prospective employees about during our interview process is our training.  It’s something we’re very proud of and one of the aspects of C&A that makes us unique.  It’s extensive and thorough yet full of variety, which keeps it fresh and interesting  – classroom lectures, role playing, subject matter expert workshops, computer based training, then a period of hands-on application of what’s been learned. 

When we ask our employees, down the road, what it was that best prepared them for success at C&A, they tell us, hands-down, the training.  Virtually every one has said it’s the best they’ve received in their career to date. 

That makes me feel good about the company I work for and also about the many C&A employees who dedicate themselves to developing our training tools and continually looking at new ways to deliver first rate education to our employees. 

Next week, it’s my turn to talk to the new class about my area of expertise, HR.  I’m excited to see them again, hear how they’re progressing, and give them some takeaways that will help them become the very best they can be, long after those first day nerves have settled. 

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About Bret Williams, HR Director, C&A Industries, Inc.
Bret began his career at C&A in 2002 as a recruiting manager. He was awarded C&A’s highest honor of Employee of the Year in 2005 and has continued to grow with the company as it has expanded, now serving as the Director of HR, a position he’s held since 2006. Bret has a bachelor’s degree in HR management is an active member of both The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the local Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM) organizations. Away from work, family, church, and basketball consume most of Bret’s spare time. He serves as an Elder in his church and volunteers for many of its activities and committees. Bret also coaches girl’s basketball and is currently in his third season as head coach for one of Millard West girl’s feeder teams. When he’s not spending cherished time with his wife and two kids, Bret jumps on his Harley Softtail and goes for a ride or grabs a fishing pole and heads for the lake.

The series has also become a tradition at C&A.  As in past years, C&A hosted a fun-filled family event at the ballpark on June 17^th, the night of the CWS Opening Ceremonies.  It’s a celebration we look forward to every year – a time for us to come together outside of the workplace and be a part of the excitement that is “America’s pastime”, baseball.

We gathered at the Pavilion, a tent near the stadium.  Employees ate, laughed, admired each other’s kids, and let our hair down a bit.  Afterwards, most headed to the ballpark to catch the ceremonies and the grand fireworks display.   

At this writing, teams are still in action, swinging for a place in the finals.  I’m using some vacation time today to catch an afternoon game with my hubby.  I love the CWS tradition.  And it makes me feel good that the company I work for loves it, too.

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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.