The last moments of the year are full of celebration and reflection. Our team at the Dewitt Tilton Group feels incredibly fortunate for the success we have had as a company. And we maintain that the best way to show our appreciation for our community is to offer our service and support. To that end, we recently held our fifth annual Thanksgiving meal delivery to firefighters in Pooler, Ga., where our company headquarters is located. Over the years, we’ve developed real friendships with these first responders, and we look forward to this event every Thanksgiving. Considering what risks they take to keep us safe, and that these brave men and women are away from their families during the holidays, the least we can do is serve a homestyle meal for their crew.
Another annual tradition we uphold is our support of the Backpacks of Love program in Richmond Hill, Ga. This fantastic charity combating childhood hunger in Bryan County, Ga. was started in 2013 by Melodie Lane in partnership with United Way of the Coastal Empire, the New Beginnings Community Church, and Second Harvest Food Bank. Each year, our team provides financial means to purchase Christmas dinner packages and we volunteer to assemble the boxes for Melodie. This year, we doubled our donation due to rising food costs and inflation.
Our newest tradition in giving back is our affiliation with Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire and the Shop with a Cop program. More than just a room and a hot meal, Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home for families of seriously ill and injured children. It’s difficult to imagine the stress of having a child in the hospital and the need to travel far from home for treatment. During the Christmas Season, Shop with a Cop gives Ronald McDonald House Families the opportunity to go shopping with a police officer using donations provided by companies and individuals. A police caravan with lights flashing escorts the children to Target for the shopping spree.
When our President, Chris Tilton appeared at last year’s check presentation, he met and spoke with a young girl staying at Ronald McDonald House. Her words moved and inspired him to increase our company's involvement, and, as a result, we are now corporate-level annual sponsors of the House and once again the lead sponsor of Shop with a Cop in collaboration with WTKS Newstalk Radio. This year, Chris joined the families during the shopping trip and helped pick out gifts. Building relationships and supporting our community have become part of the DNA of this company. We look forward to long and fulfilling partnerships with all of these groups continuing into the new year and beyond.