Put Your TIME Where Your Mouth Is

Oftentimes we hear the most about companies that raise or donate significant funds for their community. However, in many cases, the unsung heroes are the ones going out and giving their time to deserving causes. Yes, monetary donations are crucial, but time is the most valuable resource we have and it’s important to recognize the impact of those that continuously serve others day in and day out. Many organizations have day-to-day operations, events, and other tasks that need attention. Donating your time to these causes allow the organizations to focus on other things, such as hiring and fundraising, while you are left feeling fulfilled knowing you made a positive impact on someone’s life and the community. Getting out there and cleaning up a neighborhood, serving the homeless, or walking for a cause are all incredible ways to build relationships, grow your leadership, forge long-lasting partnerships, and spend quality time with family and friends, all while supporting a mission that is important to you.

At Keeley Companies, we know that Together We Make a Difference in the communities where we live and work. #KeeleyCares, our Corporate Philanthropic Foundation, spreads this message to our Keeley’ns and their families across the nation. #KeeleyCares gives the power to the people and giving is truly at the heart of everything we do. Whether that is through food drives and ramp building or serving the homeless, our people are leaving a positive impact on the world. Relationships built during our #KeeleyCares efforts are some of our most trusted and valued partnerships that continue to strengthen every single year.

Giving your time not only benefits the community, but it benefits so many aspects of your business.

Community Impact | Internal Connection | Brand Recognition | Bottom Line

Community Impact

Simply put, it feels good to give back. Time, talent, and treasure donated by team members to various causes improves life for everyone in the communities where we work and live. Insight into areas where we can be of service helps build a better future and giving back to those in need is one of the most meaningful ways in which we can build a better world. Helping our neighbors obtain the resources they need to thrive truly helps us all thrive. When more members of our community are healthy, educated, and active within their own neighborhoods, our economy grows and our communities flourish.

·Focused volunteer efforts create real impact in the community, no matter how big or small

·Investing in your community’s well-being builds trust throughout the community and opens the door for new, long-lasting partnerships

Internal Connections

Helping others reaps numerous rewards, including increased happiness for team members, building stronger relationships across the company, and attracting and retaining team members with purpose-driven minds and hearts. Studies show that companies with happy and engaged team members are more productive and experience less turnover than their competitors!

·Volunteering is an effective way to improve leadership skills and hone technical skills, leading to success in the workplace

Brand Recognition

Society appreciates when companies are out in the community making improvements. Seeing logos on pick-up trucks, a story on the news, or a social media post leaves the public consciously and unconsciously recognizing your brand and associating you with good.

·Showcase your corporate values and culture without spending any ad dollars

·#KeeleyCares posts are shared by followers 10x more than other business-related posts

Bottom Line

In addition to doing good and feeling good, your company’s positive image will attract good. Customers are more inclined to do business with partners who share their passion for growing the community, living out their mission, and spreading positivity. Individual consumers are becoming increasingly mindful of corporate ethics and tend to support businesses that align with their personal beliefs.

·Socially responsible companies cultivate positive brand recognition, increase customer loyalty, and attract top-tier team members

·The actions and passion for helping boosts culture within your company, benefits the community, aligns your work with caring, and positively impacts those serving and being served

When we started #KeeleyCares, we knew we wanted a way to showcase the incredible organizations we serve, sparking meaningful conversations and igniting powerful change. The Wall of Compassion was born, and today, we have over 60 deserving charities representing a wide variety of causes. By encouraging our Keeley’ns to give back and have fun while doing it, we were able to give 22,846 volunteer hours and donate over $2.3 million to communities across the nation in 2022. Here are a few examples of our St. Louis community putting their TIME where their mouth is.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, #KeeleyCares knew we had to continue to give back to our community. During the summer of 2020, over 250 Keeley'ns gave their valuable time to serve over 60,000 families through the Urban League Food Drives. We even had one dedicated Keeley'n formally invited to join the Urban League Board. In partnership with other local businesses, we were able to give over $2 million in donations and gifts to this effort. We couldn't just stop once the summer ended and we knew we had to get back together and help those in need during the 2020 holiday season. On November 21 and December 19, 50 Keeley'ns came out to serve 3,500 families and provide them with food and necessities for the holidays. In 2021, we continued our work with the Urban League by volunteering at their food distributions on the last Saturday of every month from January - May. In those five months, we were able to serve 25,000 deserving families. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and can't wait to see how we can continue to make a difference together.

The Urban League has also taken on Operation Clean Sweep and we are so proud to support this event year over year. Now known as Clean Up Build Up, Keeley’ns, their families, and our construction partners come out in full force to help restore our neighborhoods. The time spent at a Clean Up Build Up event goes towards demolishing dilapidated homes, cleaning up brush, sprucing up the streets & sidewalks, and so much more. On October 17th, 2021 our people flocked to the Sherman Park neighborhood where the Urban League’s Headquarters is located. 55 Keeley’ns worked together with volunteers from the Fred Weber construction crew, the MAKjv Team, and the St. Louis City SC Ownership Group. These volunteers removed trees, brush, and trash from the new Urban League campus and demolished 14 dilapidated homes in one day! We are proud to support Clean Up Build Up and encourage everyone to come out and lend a hand!

Pedal the Cause

Pedal the Cause is one of St. Louis’ largest fundraising events for cancer research. To date, Pedal the Cause has raised over $40 million with 100% going directly to cancer research and studies at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids. #KeeleyCares is proud to sponsor the Volunteer tent and support their incredible mission of Creating a World Without Cancer. Our Keeley’n volunteers help coordinate and schedule all volunteer activities for Ride Weekend, ensuring volunteers know their responsibilities while fostering a positive, happy environment for everyone to thrive during the emotional weekend. In 2022, over 3,000 people participated in Pedal the Cause – riding, cycling, remote rides, and volunteering. Pedal the Cause’s vision would not be possible without the time given to the various Ride Weekend events, and we are proud to lead the volunteers and be a small piece of their incredible success.

We are grateful for all the opportunities we have to give back of our time, talent, and treasure. It has helped us to grow strategically while allowing our Keeley’ns to find their passions for giving back and support organizations that mean the most to them. Getting started can be difficult, but once you establish a mission, vision, and program for giving back, you will wonder why you didn’t start sooner!

Click here to learn more about #KeeleyCares.