Giving Back – at Home and in the House
I was lucky enough to grow up in an environment where everything did not revolve around us and all the material things we could afford to buy for ourselves. My parents led by example and felt strongly about giving back by volunteering time as well as financially to the community and those in need. They gave to causes that we felt a connection to, or were important to a friend or a family member. My sister and I used to walk around the neighborhood with our UNICEF can asking neighbors for money (thankfully, they could not say NO to us, so that helped). We always had a Tzedakah (charity) box. The giving of Tzedakah is a fundamental Mitzvah in Jewish life. And I remember putting my change, or a portion of gift money into the box . . . and it felt good!
This all became a part of my life growing up and then as an adult, and I could make my own choices and decisions as to where I wanted to contribute by volunteering time and money to causes that are important to me. I have always felt that I am lucky to have so much, and I want to (and am supposed to) give back to those that need help in our community and all over the world. I think it is in our family blood . . . the philanthropic mind-set continues with my sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephew, who all have either volunteered, donated and/or worked in the non-profit world for decades.
OK, so that is a lot of back-story, but now, you might be wondering, how does this relate to my employer, Phinney Bischoff Design House? When I (or anyone) is looking for a place to work, I look for all the usual benefits . . . good healthcare coverage, great people, culture, compensation, etc. All good things to have. But one even more truth telling quality about your employer and what kind of people they are, is how they give back to the community. Are they profitable (or maybe, not even so profitable at times) and still think about others in their community and give back in a meaningful way? I am happy to say that is the employer I work for. From the very beginning, I was so impressed by Leslie Phinney and Karl Bischoff’s passion and empathy for so many different causes . . . for children and families in need, cancer research, animals in need, etc.
This philanthropic culture is a part of the entire house. I am amazed by how many people I work with have that same compassion for their own causes as well as ones that we all take on as a team . . . which has been rewarding and fun.
This past year, Phinney Bischoff Design House team volunteered to help pack 1,616 lbs. of cereal, which translated to 1,263 meals, at the Food Lifeline in Shoreline, Washington. The PBDH Bike Team rode in the 2009 Bike MS Ride to help raise money for The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The team rode 150 miles during the two-day journey through Skagit, Whatcom and Island Counties and raised over $2,000. AND, not only the humans are involved in the community, but so are the dogs. The PBDH Woody & Scout team participated in the 2009 Seattle Humane Society’s Walk for the Animals. PBDH has “adopted a family” through Childhaven and raised money from employees that was then matched by Karl and Leslie. As a group we went shopping for Christmas presents for our adopted family. You just know that those kids were so happy to have presents to open on Christmas, and we helped make that happen.
The causes that PBDH employees personally participate in are also quite varied. City of Hope’s 2009 Seattle Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer, ArtsFund, Jewish Family Service, College Success Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Childhaven, St. Clouds Monthly Homeless Cooking Project, The Jewish Federation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and so many more. Not only do Leslie and Karl and the PBDH team donate their personal time and money, but we also work with various non-profit organizations to help with their marketing needs. It’s just another way to give back.
The Phinney Bischoff Design House benefit for me is knowing that my employer cares as much about their own business success as they do about giving back to the community in a variety of meaningful ways.
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