Strong families. Safe kids. Great cause. Ernest supports Olive Crest.

Olive Crest is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization dedicated to stopping the cycle of abuse and neglect by supporting children and families in crisis. With more than 50 years supporting the Los Angeles community, they have a variety of programs and services that positively impact the lives of over 5,000 children every day.

Ernest’s relationship with Olive Crest started four years ago when our Los Angeles division partnered with them to be the recipient of our Givember blanket drive. After that initial experience, Olive Crest’s Community Involvement & Development Manager Nick King met with some of the Ernest team to share all of the programs the agency offers and the different ways we could get involved.

Support for a sweet event

“When Nick told us about their Trunk or Treat event last year, it seemed like a great way for us to contribute,” notes Nancy Ponce, Corrugated Merchandising Manager and our outgoing Ernest Brand Council (EBC) Chair. Community participants set up themed booths in a safe zone for children of all ages to gather, enjoy treats, and have an all-around awesome afternoon. And this year, the Ernest team went all out to transform the back of our warehouse delivery van into Shrek’s swamp.

Junior Accountant and our incoming EBC Chair Jose Ibarra offered to dress up as Shrek because according to him, he has “the body for it.” Joined by Corporate Accounts Payable Lead Judy Terrazas as Fiona and Jose’s son as Donkey, the Ernest contingent at this annual event was swamptastic! Our design department even built corrugated character standees of Puss-N-Boots, Pinocchio, and the Three Blind Mice. From vines and plants to signs warning kids to beware of ogres, it was quite the display. So good, in fact, it was named the best booth at the event.

The most rewarding part, though, was that the kids loved it. With over 40 bags of candy, snacks, and small toys, we had lots to give away, thanks to the generosity of Ernest employees and departments. Linda Rodriguez, a former EBC chair and candy contributor said it best, “When we do things at Ernest, we do it right!”

The event was a huge success for everyone involved. The kids got plenty of treats. Olive Crest had costumes for any child that needed one. And they even brought in an In-and-Out truck to feed all the families. This year, over 100 families participated.

Spreading even more holiday cheer

Our relationship with Olive Crest doesn’t stop when all the candy is gone. Over the years, our LA teams have regularly sponsored Olive Crest families at Christmas. And 2023 was no exception, with our local E-Teamers collecting gifts for two families. Each department is either assigned an individual family member or a gift category and gathers donations. This year, one of the families needed a new washing machine, so in addition to the fun gifts, we pooled our resources for this essential.

The Ernest team is excited to keep the holiday cheer going. There are so many different ways to continue helping Olive Crest and the families it supports. According to Nick King, “The way I see the partnership growing in the future is continuing to have Ernest come to volunteer at community events throughout the year (maybe getting new employees to attend) to see the families they’re impacting, maybe to potentially come to the office and share personally with the staff on the difference they’re making.” That’s what our 99-year-old founder and North Star Charles Wilson always says, “When you share with others, you get more out of it than anything.” And that’s why giving is an essential part of the work we do here. It’s the Ernest Way!