Jackrabbit Doesn’t Let COVID-19 Shut Down Giving Back
Charlotte, NC | May 19, 2020 – Community service has been woven throughout Jackrabbit Technologies’ company culture from the beginning in 2004 and a time of hardship is not the time to back off from this commitment. Jackrabbit is inspired to build on its service to the community amid the mandated closings caused by COVID-19 and give back at a time when the pandemic has caused many businesses to suspend many of their activities – including their philanthropic ones.
Although the quarantine has suspended hands-on group and on-site aspects of community service, Jackrabbit is getting creative with virtual tools to make it possible to follow through with commitments and help its new community service partner, Ronald McDonald House, at a time when they need it most.
Nurture Commitment to Community Service with Ronald McDonald House Partnership
Quarantines won’t slow down Jackrabbit’s plans as it proudly announces its community service partnership with Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. The partnership components are both financial and hands-on.
Funding is crucial
Through the financial component of its 2020 commitment, Jackrabbit will provide 845 nights for families seeking help from the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.
Active participation makes it real
The hands-on component will help events to keep happening, facilities to stay clean and families to continue to be fed, cared for and loved. During 2020, Jackrabbit is committed to participating in several events and activities at the Charlotte house as well as Ronald McDonald Houses in cities across the US and Canada where there are Jackrabbit employees working virtually. Being able to provide volunteer support in person makes the partnership real for every Jackrabbit employee.
“One of our goals in partnering with Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte is being very active with the house so we can truly make an impact to what they provide to families,” notes Jackrabbit CEO and co-founder, Mark Mahoney. “We didn’t suspend our partnership roll-out in the midst of stay-at-home mandates of COVID-19 because the needs of families of the Ronald McDonald House are continuous and we believe our support should be too.”
With virtual tools – phones, emails, and video meetings – the community service partnership has developed and is now blossoming as both Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte and Jackrabbit teams again leverage virtual tools to hold a virtual Sport A Shirt, Share A Night Wear Day on May 29. Wear Day participants “sport” a $10 Ronald McDonald House t-shirt to “share” the cost of a family’s stay in the House. It costs $142 per night to host a family at Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. Sport A Shirt, Share A Night helps cover this cost so RMH can serve families regardless of their ability to pay. Instead of the grounds of Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, the partners will use social media to share the positive impact that the Ronald McDonald House has on many families with children undergoing medical treatment.
Images from April 22 Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte- Jackrabbit Technologies Kick-Off Call
Searching the hashtag #RMHSAS as the event day progresses will produce many images of the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte and Jackrabbit Technologies teams who will proudly share pictures of themselves in their official bright blue RMH SportAShirt, Share A Night t-shirts.
“We’re excited about our partnership with Jackrabbit Technologies and our recent kick-off call showed the enthusiasm buzzing around the Jackrabbit team.,” comments Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte CEO, Denise Cubbedge. “There is no substitute for generous, committed companies with passionate volunteers like Jackrabbit when it comes to maintain the home-away-from-home atmosphere we provide to our families.”
Commitment to Community Service is Something Jackrabbit is Passionate About
Providing help is how Jackrabbit can give back. Research shows that giving back through community service is a valuable part of the experience employees want to have with their employers.
“Being engaged with our community builds company character from within and enhances our relationships with those we serve. Providing opportunities to be personally engaged in community service is of tremendous benefit to our employees and adds an important layer of teamwork to what we do every day,” adds Jackrabbit CTO and co-founder, Mike Carper.
The passion that Jackrabbit’s co-founders and employees feel for being a resource for Ronald McDonald House will outlast this pandemic and the quarantine it has caused and set the stage for a partnership that will flourish as Jackrabbit participates in events and volunteer opportunities throughout 2020 and years to come.
About Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte
The RMH of Charlotte opened in May 2011 and serves the families of children being treated at a Charlotte-area medical facility. Since opening, RMH of Charlotte has served over 4,200 families. Located on the 1600 block of East Morehead Street, the House features approximately 35,000 square feet of living space complete with 28 bedrooms (one family per bedroom/suite). It also has a community kitchen, living room, library, playground and sitting porch. RMH of Charlotte is an independent 501 (c) (3) charity managed by a local board of directors which oversees operation of the home. RMH of Charlotte is funded and operated by the Charlotte community. The mission of the RMH of Charlotte is to provide the families of children being treated in area medical facilities with a safe, affordable and caring “home-away-from-home.” For more information on RMH of Charlotte, visit www.rmhofcharlotte.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
