Purpose-driven Insights: Empowering Communities Through Purposeful Action

Through committed acts of kindness, volunteerism, and community service, each leader in this roundup has had a significant impact on their community, ranging from technological mentorship programs to environmental preservation and cultural exchange efforts. By supplying resources, cultivating relationships, and motivating the next generation, they help create a stronger, more equitable, and sustainable world.

Commitment to Technology Education for Youth

One significant impact we’ve made within our community is through our commitment to technology education for underprivileged youth. We initiated a program that offers free coding workshops and mentorship for high-school students in low-income neighborhoods. This initiative not only equips them with essential digital skills, but also inspires them to pursue careers in technology, which can significantly enhance their future opportunities.

The program has fostered a sense of empowerment and connection within the community. By partnering with local schools and community centers, we’ve reached hundreds of students, providing them with access to resources and role models in the tech industry. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing newfound confidence in their abilities and aspirations. This commitment to giving back not only reinforces our company’s values, but also helps create a more equitable future in technology, showing that kindness and community service can lead to meaningful change.

Shehar Yar, CEO, Software House

Founding a Jewish Summer Camp

We believe in giving back to our community. That’s why we founded Moshava California, a Jewish summer camp that’s become a second home for many kids. Every year, over 200 children join us for a summer filled with fun, friendship, and personal growth. We’ve seen campers blossom into confident leaders, with many returning year after year. It’s amazing to see how the camp has impacted lives, with former campers now leading community-service projects. This experience has taught us that small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of positivity throughout our community.

Jonathan Gerber, President, RVW Wealth

Organizing Trail Cleanups and Workshops

One significant impact my travel company has made in the community is through organizing trail cleanups and educational workshops. Last summer, we partnered with local schools to host a cleanup event at a nearby park, inviting families and volunteers to join. We not only removed trash but also educated participants about the importance of preserving our natural environment.

The event drew a great turnout, and seeing families come together to make a difference was inspiring. Participants left with a deeper appreciation for our local ecosystem, and we even saw some kids inspired to start their own environmental initiatives. This hands-on approach fosters community spirit and encourages everyone to take small steps toward a cleaner planet, showing that travel and caring for our environment can go hand-in-hand.

Swena Kalra, Chief Marketing Officer, Scott & Yanling Media Inc.

Engaging Employees in Volunteer Projects

One significant impact my business has made in the community is through our corporate-volunteerism program, which encourages employees to engage in local service projects. We’ve partnered with various nonprofits to organize events such as food drives, community clean-ups, and mentoring programs for underprivileged youth.

This initiative not only strengthens our ties with the community but also fosters a culture of empathy and teamwork within our organization. Employees have reported feeling more connected to their work and motivated by the positive changes they are helping to create.

For example, last year we organized a fundraising event that supported a local shelter for homeless families. The event was not only successful in raising funds but also brought together various local businesses and community members, creating a sense of unity. Employees volunteered their time to help plan and execute the event, which enhanced their skills in project management and teamwork while reinforcing our commitment to social responsibility. This act of kindness not only benefited those in need but also elevated our brand’s reputation within the community.

Through these efforts, we’ve seen tangible results: increased employee engagement, improved morale, and stronger relationships with local organizations. By actively participating in community service, we not only give back but also inspire others in the business sector to follow suit, creating a ripple effect of kindness and support throughout the community.

Azam Mohamed Nisamdeen, Founder, Convert Chat

Pro Bono Landscaping for Public Spaces

With over two decades of landscaping experience in Alberta, I have seen the immense impact that community service can have. We have partnered with local organizations to provide pro bono design and installation for public parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers. For example, we recently completed a landscaping project for a new inclusive playground, ensuring accessibility for children of all abilities. By donating nearly $200,000 in services, we were able to transform an empty lot into a vibrant space where kids can play together.

We also support youth employment and education through internship programs. Our summer interns gain valuable on-the-job experience designing, installing, and maintaining residential and commercial landscapes. Many have continued their careers in the horticulture industry after graduating. Mentoring students and providing opportunities for them to develop practical skills is extremely rewarding.

Giving back to the community that has supported our business is a top priority. In addition to partnerships and internships, our team volunteers for local events like park cleanups, holiday festivals, and charity fundraisers. Though landscaping is our profession, community service is our passion. Enriching public spaces, supporting students, and participating in local initiatives are all ways we strive to strengthen the places we live and work.

Josh Payne, Owner, Classic Landscape

Donating Floral Arrangements for Events

As an experienced florist, one significant impact my business has made within the community is through donating floral arrangements for local events and charitable causes. For example, I’ve partnered with organizations that support cancer patients by providing beautiful bouquets for their fundraising galas and awareness events. Not only do these donations brighten up the venue, but they also serve as a reminder of hope and support for those affected by illness. By contributing in this way, I feel connected to my community while also raising awareness about important causes.

Additionally, I’ve organized flower-donation drives where customers can purchase flowers at a discounted rate specifically designated for donation to local hospitals or nursing homes. This initiative encourages customers to participate in spreading joy while also fostering a sense of community spirit. The smiles on patients’ faces when they receive fresh flowers are truly rewarding and create a ripple effect of kindness throughout our area.

Sophie Marasco, Founder, Thanks A Bunch Florist

Providing Marketing Services to Charities

My team and I believe strongly in giving back to our community. Over the years, we have donated our services and expertise to help many local charities, schools, and community organizations build their online presence through updated branding, websites, and social media strategies.

For example, we recently worked with a local elementary school to overhaul their website and create social media platforms to better engage parents and families. By donating our services, we helped them save thousands of dollars they could put toward educational resources. The new website and social media have also made it much easier for parents to stay up-to-date with events, volunteering opportunities, and their child’s progress.

We also regularly donate our web services to local charities like the Humane Society and Boys and Girls Club. For smaller organizations working on tight budgets, a professional website and digital marketing strategy can be unattainable. We are proud to provide these services at no cost so they can focus their funds on their important mission and community programs.

Giving back to our community is a source of great pride for our team. While running a business certainly has its challenges, knowing we make a real impact on local schools, charities, and families makes the long hours and hard work worthwhile. Helping our community thrive is the greatest reward.

Jay Owen, CEO, Business Builders

Offering Free Tree Removal for Seniors

We have made it a priority to give back to our community by offering free tree removal for local seniors and veterans in need. By helping those who might not have the means to handle potentially dangerous tree issues, we have helped make homes safer while building stronger connections within the DFW area. Additionally, we regularly participate in community clean-up events, donating our services to keep public spaces green and healthy. It is our way of saying thank you to a community that has supported us for many years. Acts of service are core to who we are as a family business.

Amaury Ponce, Business Owner, Ponce Tree Services

Providing Suitcases for Foster Children

My business has significantly impacted the community through my charity, Itsmybag.cool, which focuses on helping foster care children. After running a travel agency for over 30 years, it was clear that this initiative aligned perfectly with my passion for travel and community service. The charity raises awareness about the unfortunate reality many foster children face—being moved from home to home with their belongings in garbage bags.

Through Itsmybag.cool, we provide foster children with suitcases, giving them dignity and a sense of ownership over their belongings. For every suitcase donated, we offer clients $25 toward their next travel experience, creating a cycle of giving that benefits both the child and the donor. This initiative allows us to give back to those in need and encourages clients to get involved, making a meaningful impact on the foster care system.

The response has been incredible, and it’s been fulfilling to see how something as simple as a suitcase can make a difference in a child’s life. Up to this point, we’ve collected over 15,000 suitcases for foster care children across the United States. It’s been heartwarming to see the generosity of our community, and I’m proud that my business has been able to help raise awareness for these children.

In addition to community donations, we’ve had the support of huge corporations like MONOS Suitcases, which have donated pallets of suitcases to the cause. Their contributions have allowed us to expand our reach and ensure more children receive the care they deserve. Connecting my business with this cause has been one of the most rewarding experiences, and I’m excited to see this initiative continue to grow.

Tammy Levent, Founder & CEO, Elite Travel Management Group, Inc.

Offering Pro Bono Legal Counsel

As a personal-injury lawyer focused on pedestrian and bicycle accident cases, my firm has impacted our community through legal advocacy and support for vulnerable groups. By offering pro-bono legal counsel for low-income clients and partnering with local nonprofits, we’ve helped ensure access to justice for those who need it most.

For example, we have an ongoing partnership with a local shelter to provide free legal consultations for homeless individuals and families. Many have legal issues related to accidents, traffic violations, employment disputes, or housing that compound the challenges of their situation. Our legal guidance helps connect them with additional resources and, in some cases, see their matters resolved.

We also sponsor an annual bike-safety event with a local advocacy organization. At the event, we offer free bike helmets and safety information to promote injury prevention. For the past 3 years, we’ve donated over 500 helmets to help combat the 12% increase in bicycle accidents throughout the county. Educating cyclists and providing means for them to ride more safely is one of the most impactful ways we support our community.

Through community partnerships, pro bono work, and injury prevention campaigns, we aim to improve lives in both the short and long term. Our role as legal advocates allows us to identify needs, provide assistance, and enact real change. The impact of these efforts fuels our mission to build a safer, more just community for all.

Maryam Parman, Managing Attorney, Avrek Law Firm

Providing Free Storage for Charities

We believe that being part of a community means giving back in meaningful ways. One of the most significant impacts we’ve made has been through our partnership with local charities and shelters in Dexter and the surrounding areas.

We’ve offered free or discounted storage units to local organizations that support families in need, helping them manage donations of clothing, furniture, and other essentials. This has been especially important during the colder months when shelters often run low on space to store donated items.

We also regularly volunteer as a team at local food banks and charity events, which not only strengthens our ties to the community but also helps us contribute to causes that matter. These acts of service have been incredibly rewarding and have helped us build trust and a stronger sense of community with our customers and neighbors.

Jonas Duckett, Founder/Owner, Store-It Quick

Capacity Building for Nonprofits

Pro-bono capacity building. Typically, a business will write a check or send employees to participate in a project, but we’ve found the biggest gift we can give is helping small organizations by using our expertise and talents to help them grow much more quickly and efficiently than just throwing cash or bodies at their nonprofit. And since we coach and teach nonprofits to ask for both talent and time in addition to fiscal support when they are interacting with businesses, we find that walking the walk in our own interactions with our community leaders is a fun (and really effective!) way of impacting organizations in our community!

Patrick Kirby, Founder, Do Good Better Consulting

Raising Funds for Veterans’ Tiny Homes

We are proud to say we had a goal to raise $40,000 to build and outfit a tiny home for the Veterans Community Project in Longmont, Colorado. We kept our customers informed and engaged throughout the year by promoting our products and showing how each purchase supported this cause. Thanks to our amazing customers, we didn’t just hit that $40,000 mark—we exceeded it. This allowed us to fully equip a home for a veteran returning to civilian life. Every Christmas, we also donate to veterans as a way of giving back. It’s one way our company creates a ripple of kindness and brings real value to those who have served.

Joel Popoff, CEO / Founder, Axwell

Hosting ‘Tech Me Out’ Events

We’re passionate about giving back to the community, and our “Tech Me Out” events are one way we do that. We love creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to engage with cutting-edge technologies, like virtual production and 3D digital-twins. These events are designed to spark curiosity, offering hands-on experiences that inspire innovation and creativity. By opening up our technology to students, tech enthusiasts, and professionals, we aim to bridge the gap between complex digital tools and real-world applications, empowering the next generation of creators and problem-solvers.

Jess Loren, CEO, Global Objects

Donating to Charities Chosen by Staff

Our company thinks of expanding communities, starting with our workplace. As part of honoring our own staff, we collect the names of charities that are near and dear to their hearts. Then, when it comes time for birthdays, work anniversaries, or other achievements, we donate company funds on their behalf. Beyond that internal team focus, our company has invested volunteer time and corporate donations into two clean-water initiatives because, as much as we love healthcare, we love preventing diseases before anyone ever needs to encounter the healthcare system.

Bret Brummitt, President, Generous Benefits

Connecting Travelers with Local Guides

We are creators of high-quality podcasts and audio travel guides, but more than that, we build connections between travelers and locals through our app for free.

Within this community of locals around the world, including myself here in Barcelona, Spain, we offer free on-the-ground advice to first-time visitors to our cities with an emphasis on local, more sustainable, and authentic travel. Our locals volunteer the in-depth knowledge they have in order to show travelers the most real version of their city.

We believe that travel creates a more empathetic world through vital cultural experiences and believe this is an incredibly valuable community service both on a local and on a global scale.

Not only can you use our app to make your trip better by adding authentic experiences or getting unique recommendations that aren’t in every blog and guidebook, but we can also help you understand why these experiences are truly culturally valuable.

Neil Innes, VP of Audio, Cerca

Highlighting Mental Health Importance

My business is really a reflection of who I am. As someone passionate about mind wellness, I work hard to highlight its importance, both as a thought leader and through my practice. I love educating people, whether they’re local or from afar, about mental health. Mentorship is a big part of what I do, and I enjoy giving back by connecting like-minded organizations to meet community needs—not just for fundraising, but for raising awareness and building stronger communities. I’m also involved with local societies that focus on education, advocacy, and resources for physicians.

Mona Amini MD, Psychiatrist & Founder, Mon’Vie Mind Wellness

About Purpose-driven Insights

Welcome to Store with a Heart’s HeartBeat’s blog series, Purpose-Driven Insights, which unites experts and changemakers to discuss what it really means to make a difference. This series offers readers practical advice and novel viewpoints by showcasing insights from leaders in charity, sustainability, mental health, social entrepreneurship, and other fields through insightful round-ups and interviews.

Purpose-Driven Insights offers the insight and motivation required to transform your goals into significant action, whether your goal is to lead with compassion, improve your community, or support a cause that is dear to your heart. Come explore organizational strategies, individual experiences, expert insights, and industry practices that enable us all to make a positive impact on a more compassionate and interconnected society.

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