A GIVEMBER LIKE NO OTHER
September 01, 2021
MINNIE’S WAY
We can’t talk about Givember without reminiscing on Minnie Wilson and the legacy she left behind. It was her generosity that sparked this campaign. Minnie raised two boys, Chuck and Ernie, on her own during the Great Depression after her husband passed away. Even on a shoestring budget, she found ways to provide for her family and made sure Chuck and Ernie had a wonderful childhood. And while she didn’t have much to spare, she always found room in her budget to help those in need.
Specifically, she always had a dime to give to someone who needed it (and that dime could afford an entire meal). Chuck and Ernie constantly witnessed their mother handing out dimes to the less fortunate…so much so that the act of giving stuck with them well into their adulthood and the company they eventually started together, Ernest Packaging Solutions.
A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY.
With that giving spirit came Givember—an annual event where Ernest comes together with the community to give back. After deciding on a cause, each of Ernest’s 13 divisions participate to hit the donation goal.
Last year, our team was able to collect over 4,000 blankets—beating our goal by more than 1,000—to keep those in need warm. See our video below.
Other years have included us collecting school supplies for underprivileged students and donating food to families struck by a series of hurricanes. One Givember, we had a goal of donating 10,000 pairs of socks and we shattered that—providing nearly 12,000 pairs to shelters.
While each Givember is a little different, the overall theme is the same: giving back to our community by working together. And it’s clear that Minnie’s way of giving is something the entire team embodies at Ernest.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
We’ve witnessed so much generosity and teamwork over the last few years during Givember. So, this year we wanted to up the ante. Our goal for this campaign, lasting through September, is 30,000 personal hygiene items.
It’s a steep goal, but we’re confident in our team. If you would like to help or learn more, we encourage you to reach out to one of our 13 divisions.
Remember, a little goes a long way.
