Manawale’a: A Generous Heart. This Hawaiian word reflects the mission of Maui Wowi’s Team Karma; a group formed from an initiative to take time to give back and make the world a better place. For years, Maui Wowi franchisees all across the country have donated through the No-Work Fundraising Program. The program encourages franchise owners to work events and give back a percentage of the sales to the organization, such as schools and youth sports teams. The Maui Wowi Mainland (HQ) stands alongside our franchisees to show our commitment to giving and spreading the Aloha Spirit.
The first Team Karma event of 2014 was held last week at Food Bank of the Rockies. Since 1978, Food Bank of the Rockies has been dedicated to providing hunger-relief for those in need. Over the past 36 years, the private organization has provided nearly 519 million pounds of food to member agencies, which translates to 432 million meals for people in need, according to their website.
Working together alongside other volunteers, we were able to fulfill orders that would later be picked up by local food pantries and other hunger-relief programs. We stacked and loaded pallets of food that totaled approximately 85,000 lbs. As a team, we learned the importance of each box of food, knowing that it will soon become a well-deserving meal. The second half of the day we worked in the Reclamation Dept. to sort through donated products and pack boxes with much needed essentials.
The whole experience was very enlightening and humbling for our entire team. Not only did we get a glimpse into this amazing organization and the good it does for the community, but it validated the impact and importance of volunteering. Whether as an individual or a group, you can make a difference. It was an honor to be a part of the exceptional efforts of Food Bank of the Rockies and work beside their amazing staff members.
Through Team Karma, our hope is to encourage others to have “Manawale’a” and to continue our own efforts in generosity and community involvement. A big Mahalo to Food Bank of the Rockies! We hope to return again soon.