Atlanta Division
Charlotte Division
Jacksonville Division
Lakeland Division
Lakeland Division – Online exclusive
Support – Online exclusive
Atlanta Division
Associates make a splash at a special event
Associates in District Manager Trent Collins’ district volunteered at the Special Day for Special People event in LaGrange, Georgia.
This free event welcomed physically and mentally disabled children and adults for a day of outdoor fun. Activities included riding on a pontoon boat, taking pictures in a photo booth and dancing to live music. Attendees also received a free lunch.
“We all have busy lives — work, family, hobbies — but it’s not difficult to get Publix people involved,” said Trent. “Publix people have very giving hearts. Our associates understand we are very fortunate to work for such a great company, and they naturally want to give back to the communities we serve.”
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Charlotte Division
Ballantyne festival helps feed the hungry
Charlotte Division associates helped make Autumn in the Park a success by contributing their time to volunteering at this charitable event. The daylong festival consisted of a chili cook-off, games, an inflatable bounce house, pumpkin painting, hayrides, live music, an oyster roast and more. All proceeds benefited local non-profits.
“This event was a great success for the charities, the Charlotte community and for Publix,” said Store Manager Megan White, #1442, Charlotte, North Carolina. “I spoke with life-long Publix customers who recently moved into the Charlotte area and customers who are experiencing our service and culture for the first time. Volunteering at this event provided us the opportunity to share our story with both.”
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Jacksonville Division
Duathlon raised $4,000 for United Way
Assistant Customer Service Manager Christie Evon, #1289, Ocala, Florida, directed the inaugural 2014 Harvest Hustle. More than 80 people participated in the duathlon, held at the Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, which consisted of a 12-mile bike ride and 10K run. The event raised approximately $4,000 for the United Way of Marion County. Publix associates not only volunteered at this special event, but some even participated in it.
“This was the first 10K I’ve participated in, and I really enjoyed it,” said Customer Service Staff Justin Kiminka, #1289. “There was a great turnout, and I would definitely run in this event again. It’s nice to work for a company that comes up with creative ways to support our local charities.”
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Lakeland Division
Associates help strike out muscular dystrophy
More than 1,900 associates participated in the third annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Bowl-a-thon. Associates raised pledges to join the league and bowled on their own time. Last year, this event raised close to $100,000, and this year, it raised more than $150,000.
“This event was a great success in our district because of the hard work and dedication Assistant Customer Service Manager Victoria Esquivel put in to coordinating it,” said Store Manager June Quiva, #1337, Naples, Florida. “Her commitment and passion for serving our community are qualities that represent what Publix is all about.”
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Lakeland Division
Associates bring extra holiday cheer
The associates from #1458, Naples, Florida, brought some extra holiday cheer to the Guadalupe Center, an organization in nearby Immokalee that offers special support programs and resources to assist families struggling to provide essential items for their children. The associates surprised the center with 421 toys worth $4,387.40, which were donated to the center’s annual Holiday Gift Shop. Families in need were able to shop through donated items and select gifts for their children. Without this program, many children in Immokalee would not have had presents waiting for them during the holiday season. Associates also volunteered to help wrap presents at the gift shop.
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Support
Pharmacy associates help raise awareness
On Oct. 17, associates at the Publix central pharmacy, located at the Orlando Distribution Center, participated in an annual Pinktober event. Each year, Orlando radio station XL 106.7 turns the city pink by asking associates from companies across Florida to wear pink and send in pictures from their workplace.
This was the third year these associates participated in the event. Pinktober helps raise breast cancer awareness by encouraging self-exams.
“People were even buying pink shirts the day of the event so they could participate,” said Central Pharmacy Technician Wendy Marshall. “About 50 associates came together and wore pink to support Pinktober. I enjoyed organizing and participating in this event because it helped unite our associates, and it’s another way to show Publix cares about our community’s health.”
