CAC is Thankful!

At Clean Air Cab, part of our goal as a company is to be a part of the solution. We give back to our community through green business practices and charitable donations. But we know that's not enough. That's why out general manager, Brandy Lovato, is so passionate about volunteering and personal service. She serves on the board for the Boys and Girls Club and is always encouraging everyone to do their part and volunteer. It seems like she's always sending out an e-mail or putting up a flyer about an event that needs volunteers! We're really lucky to have her in the office because that kind of attitude embodies the vision for the company and helps to create a positive environment where you know the people in charge aren't just about profit. We really care about our customers and the people in our community and what better way to show that than by serving them?

Last week, the Boys and Girls Club held their annual Thanksgiving dinner. It's a huge event for people that may not otherwise have the opportunity to have a Thanksgiving dinner. Because it's so large, they need a lot of volunteers to help with all of the food prep and serving. True to form, Brandy made sure we all knew about it and asked everyone that could to come. We had a great turn out. 4 of our dispatchers, Liz, Linda, Sunshine, and Kayla (not pictured), Sunshine's son, Liz's daughter, our operations manager, Dennis Armstrong, and Brandy along with her sister and daughter came to help out. Everyone had a great time doing their part!

 

This picture does a good job of showing how big the event was.

 

Everyone had a great time and took a lot away from the experience. I asked Brandy and Dennis to tell me what they had to say about the event and volunteering.
 

Brandy said,"I started volunteering serving Thanksgiving dinner last year with the Boys & Girls club with my 15 year old sister and 6 month old daughter to show them both that we have to give back to those that need it. I started it as a family tradition with my family that turned into something I also did with my work family. It brings me great joy to help those in need and bring a smile someone’s face.”

Dennis said,"It was very rewarding and fun to work alongside CAC employee’s and community to put a full Thanksgiving dinner out for the ones less fortunate. I especially enjoyed working the roll distribution table with the Liz's daughter and Sunshine's son."

 

Sunshine gave an especially touching account of the event.

"I have always thought about volunteering for Thanksgiving as I have friends that have done it in the past, but have not had the opportunity arise until this year. Most of the holidays in the past few years, my son and I have been on the receiving end of the charity spectrum, so it was extra special to me to be able to give a little back! I was excited to be a part of the Thanksgiving dinner service at the Mesa Boys & Girls Club, and I thought it would be a wonderful experience for my 12 yo son Gavin as well. When we arrived, the smell of turkey was permeating the entire parking lot and inside of the building! It was quite a treat to see so many people there to volunteer, and it took a few minutes to figure out who the "go to" folks were. When I finally figured out who to go to for jobs, I was able to help out at a few different things...dishes, making sure each station had all the required foodstuffs, handing out rolls...and finally my favorite part- putting whipped cream on the pie slices and being bombarded by the pie-hungry children! I couldn't say how many slices of pie I topped, or how many smiling little faces I saw, but I can tell you it was well worth the time, the backache and the wihpped cream covered t-shirt I had to work my over-night shift in! I truly felt blessed to be a part of putting so many smiles on so many little faces! I think that this will become a family tradition in the years to come!"

 

So this holiday season, Clean Air Cab is greatful to have so many amazing people working here! We have great drivers and dispatchers and cashiers and lot attendants that regularly go beyond customer and driver expectations and office admins and managers that put service and people before everything else. We are lucky to have such a caring work family here!