Each year, BlueGrace Logistics female (cats) and male (dogs) employees compete against one another to see who can collect the most pet food in pounds. Throughout the years, BlueGrace has collected tens of thousands of lbs. of food to feed the animals of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, one of our partner charities, through this drive. With the amount of growth that BlueGrace has experienced over the last 18 months, this contest was extended to all BlueGrace offices and as a result, will benefit several more animal shelters.
The drive divides the men and women in the office and allows them to compete as two teams to collect as much pet food as possible.
The drive divides the men and women in the office and allows them to compete as two teams to collect as much pet food as possible. While the winning team receives bragging rights for the next year, the real winners are the animals in the shelters who so desperately need the donations. The drive culminates with an adoption event in the office in Tampa, where 8-10 adoptable dogs and cats are brought in by the HSTB and employees and their families have an opportunity to take a new family member home.
The drive culminates with an adoption event in the office in Tampa.
“While the competition aspect of the drive is fun for our employees, what’s important is providing as much food for the animals as we can to these organizations,” explains Courtney Smith, Manager of Culture & Engagement for BlueGrace. “With the growth and expansion we have seen in our company over the last fifteen months, it was incredible to see the reach and impact across the country.”
The Dogs Claim First Victory in 4 Years
The competition has been a tight race every year, but the DOGS of BlueGrace came out ahead with just under 13,000 lbs in food for the Tampa office!
“It was ruff, but we finally beat the cats!” said Steve Wolfe, Certified Partner Development Manager at BlueGrace Logistics and Cats vs Dogs Team Captain.
Company’s Core Values Mean Something
BlueGrace Logistics has 5 core values proudly displayed throughout the offices all around the country. The first core value is “Be Caring of All Others,” which is exhibited not only within the office walls, but in the local communities as well.
BlueGrace Core Values
This is probably our most called upon core value. At BlueGrace Logistics, it is essential in our hiring process that we find empathy in our candidates. Whether an employee is working in sales or customer support, it is imperative to a business’ success that the people answering the phones and talking with prospects and customers, have some sort of empathetic trait.
Our team not only cares about each other and the community, we care for our carriers, vendors, clients and partners. We work best with those who have compassion for others and truly show it.
Caring for Others and Caring for the Animals
This year was another successful drive, with BlueGrace collecting over 27,500 lbs of pet food as an organization. BlueGrace headquarters donated 22,674 lbs to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. BlueGrace Chicago donated 3,475 lbs of pet food to the Animal Rescue Foundation of Illinois. BG Baltimore donated 500 lbs to the Humane Society of Harford County in Fallston, MD. BG Richmond donated 200 lbs to the Richmond SPCA. BG Boston raised a total of $732 and was able to purchase pet supplies from the MSPCA-Angell Wish List.
“A philanthropic spirit is a vital component of any BlueGrace employee, and drives such as these provide our employees with the opportunity to help our communities in a fun and impactful way,” Mercedes Essmann, Director of Recruiting at BlueGrace mentions. “Seeing the adoptables go home to loving families at the end just adds a whole other level of pride and satisfaction to the event.”