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At Open for Business Oklahoma (OFBO), we’re proud to highlight member companies that help make the holiday season brighter for Oklahomans. This year, long-standing OFBO member Garver continues to set the bar through its employee-driven community giving program, GarverGives. 

 

Garver’s culture is built around putting people first, which has naturally extended to taking care of others in the community. Throughout Garver’s offices in central and northeast Oklahoma, volunteer committees work to identify local needs, organize volunteer opportunities and empower employees to support causes close to them. Each office’s GarverGives committee has the autonomy to identify needs and provide resources where they will make the greatest impact.

 

“It’s very important to serve the communities where we live and work, so each of our offices decides locally how to best give back,” said Hillary Nickels, program communications assistant and GarverGives Ambassador in Oklahoma City. 

 

Garver’s year-round giving culture ramps up during the holiday season. Garver offices throughout the state are participating in initiatives geared to making a positive impact on local families, including sponsoring children through wish list programs, food drives, shifts at food banks and funding ongoing grants. 

 

“During the holidays, while we pause to reflect on what we’re grateful for, we’re reminded of the communities we help build and that support us,” said Cody L. Burnett, PE, transportation project manager and GarverGives Ambassador for the company’s Tulsa location. “Garver’s investments directly impact our communities here in Oklahoma, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to serve others not only during the holidays but throughout the year.”

 

Garver’s unique Giving Tuesday match program helps employees maximize their giving by matching up to $100 per employee to the nonprofit of their choice. When five or more employees donate to the same organization, that match is boosted by 20%. Those who choose to give their time through volunteer opportunities are also eligible to earn matching contributions for the nonprofits they support. 

 

It’s not hard to get Garver employees excited about giving back because community participation is embedded in the company culture.

 

“Everyone likes to get involved and be hands on,” Nickels said. “Every time we host a volunteer opportunity, I get feedback for days afterward about how enjoyable and meaningful it was for those who participated.”

 

For other OFBO member companies looking to deepen community outreach, Burnett’s advice is simple: “Find the cause your people are passionate about and get involved with the organizations that support that mission; each act creates a familiar, reliable presence for those who need it most,” he said. “Most importantly, keep showing up: become the consistent, recognizable presence your community can rely on, so when the need is the greatest, they know they can turn to you.”

Have a member story to share? Write to collins@plprglobal.com to tell us about your firm’s community participation or a special project.