Working for the community: Some area businesses work together on volunteer projects, fundraisers

At some area businesses, employees don't just go to work for a company. They work for the community, too.

More employers these days are offering, and in many cases encouraging, their workers to use company time to do good -- to organize benefits, participate in community fundraisers and generally donate time toward charitable causes.

In the Liberty Utilities office in Jackson, employees receive several days each year to spend on a cause of their choosing. Popular among employees are setting up a tailgate party for Pink Up, a Saint Francis Medical Center fundraising campaign for breast cancer awareness, catering a meal or helping with bingo for area veterans home residents and raising money for items needed by a local children's home.

Amy Dewrock, a senior accountant at Liberty Utilities, says a goal of the company "is to be local, to be a part of the community and give back to the community."

"They really encourage us to get out in the community and help. I mean, we may do it anyway, but it is nice to have the support," she says.

Last year's breast cancer awareness tailgate party raised more than $3,000, and Dewrock says the company is on track to exceed that amount this year. Efforts of Liberty Utilities employees have also bought a basketball goal for Hope Children's Home in Jackson.

Some employees volunteer in person, too, by helping children with homework at the children's home or leading classroom special activities through the Junior Achievement Program in the Jackson School District.

Also big on volunteer efforts by employees is MedAssets, a health care performance improvement company with a Cape Girardeau office. MedAssets runs an employee program called the Heart And Soul Program, where the company allows workers to receive up to five days paid leave for volunteering activities. The company has a set of designated international charities where it directs its efforts, along with local charities and local chapters of large charities associated with each office.

In Cape Girardeau, many employees lend their time and efforts to the American Cancer Society, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, SEMO Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.

Lynnette Benefield, a regional client manager for MedAssets, says the program encourages employees to follow a company-wide initiative of service.

"I think that it makes everyone feel proud of where they work and happy to work for a company that wants to help out," she says.

The hours employees can spend volunteering also give them a chance to have different experiences with their co-workers, Benefield says, which couldn't be gained elsewhere.

"We can offer our services and at the same time it's nice to get out and work with people in another environment," she says.