Connecting with History

Submitted by Karen McDonnell, FirstService Residential

My volunteer service combines my personal interests in genealogy and the history of pandemics—particularly those of the late 1800s through the 1918 Influenza A pandemic—with opportunities to help others and preserve historical records.

Through my research, I became involved with the Find A Grave website and signed up as a volunteer to fulfill online photo requests for memorials. When individuals are unable to visit a cemetery because of distance, health, or other circumstances, I photograph requested gravesites and memorials and upload the images for families, historians, and researchers. These photographs help people connect with their family history, preserve the memory of loved ones, and support genealogical research.

In addition to this work, I review digitized historical documents, such as birth and death certificates, that are available online. When I discover errors or inaccuracies, I submit corrections for review to improve the quality and reliability of these public records. While these corrections may seem small, they help ensure that future researchers and families have access to more accurate historical information.

This volunteer work has been especially meaningful because it allows me to combine my passion for history with service to others. It also encourages me to spend time outdoors, providing fresh air and exercise while making a tangible difference for individuals seeking to learn more about their ancestors. Whether through photographing memorials or improving the accuracy of historical records, I enjoy contributing to the preservation of family history and helping others make meaningful connections to their past.

Supporting “Free little pantry”

Submitted by Yesica Mejia, Century Fire

I recently was introduced to a young lady that donates and gives back to her community in Little Rock Arkansas. She calls it the “little free pantry” and her concept of giving back with small toiletries and non perishable foods made me want to help give back. I reached out to her back in June to let her know I would like to contribute every 2 weeks this summer and it meant a lot to me knowing I could help be apart of something small but thoughtful outside of my community. I didn’t have to be present but my contribution was very meaningful to others and I was glad this opportunity to donate was brought to me. I would hope this encourages others to give back to other communities as well.

CertaPro Gives Back to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society !

Submitted by Larsen Sharp

Each month, a CertaPro Painters® Corporate team member is selected to direct a $250 donation to a charity of their choice.

For June, Larsen Sharp chose the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as the recipient of CertaPro’s monthly charitable donation.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to creating a world free of MS by advancing research, advocating for those affected, and providing critical support and resources to individuals and families living with multiple sclerosis. Their mission is to improve the lives of people impacted by MS through groundbreaking scientific discoveries, accessible healthcare solutions, educational programs, and community connections. Through fundraising efforts and advocacy initiatives, the Society helps accelerate treatments, expand support services, and drive progress toward a cure, empowering those affected by MS to live their best lives while fostering hope for the future.

#CertaProGivesBack #FirstServeOthers #GivingBack

Building Hope, One Apartment at a Time!

Submitted by Laurie Fiorella, FirstService Residential

On July 21, 2026, FirstService Residential Associates partnered with Services for the Underserved to assemble housing kits for formerly homeless families and individuals in New York City. Together, we boxed and prepared hundreds of essential items to help furnish 70 new apartments on West 45th Street. It was a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community where we work and serve.

Paws, Smiles, and Team Spirit

Submitted by Shannon Martin, First Onsite Canada

As part of our commitment to fostering connection and employee well-being, we hosted a Cutest Pet Contest that brought employees together in a fun and meaningful way.

Team members were invited to share photos and stories of their beloved pets. What began as a lighthearted contest quickly became an opportunity for colleagues to connect beyond their day-to-day responsibilities. Employees shared laughs, exchanged pet stories, and discovered common interests, creating new conversations and strengthening existing relationships.

The contest provided a welcome boost to morale and gave employees a chance to celebrate a part of their lives that brings them comfort, happiness, and companionship. In today’s fast-paced work environment, creating opportunities for connection and belonging is more important than ever, and the enthusiasm surrounding the contest demonstrated the positive impact these moments can have on our workplace culture.
The response was overwhelming, with so many outstanding entries that selecting a winner proved to be a difficult task. After much deliberation, Bruce, captured the hearts of everyone and was crowned our Cutest Pet Contest winner. Bruce’s photo showcased not only his personality but also the joy that pets bring to our lives.

While Bruce took home the title, the true winners were the employees who participated. The contest fostered engagement, encouraged teamwork, and reminded us that taking time to celebrate one another helps build a stronger, more connected workplace.

This initiative is a great example of how small acts that bring people together can create a meaningful impact. By encouraging connection, inclusivity, and a sense of community, the Cutest Pet Contest helped make our workplace a little brighter and reinforced the culture of caring that defines our team.

Wildlife Rehabilitation and Rescue in Texas

Submitted by  Nichole Blankenship, CertaPro

I am a licensed wildlife rehabber for small mammals in the state of Texas. This allows me to rescue and care for raccoons (my favorite), squirrels, foxes, skunks, armadillos, and opossums. While I am a small in-home rehabber, I spend a lot of time with my mentor at Petri’s Place. This is one of the only animal sanctuaries in South Texas and she has already taken in nearly 1000 animals this year!

Volunteering at the sanctuary can mean cleaning cages, bottle/tube feeding babies, building/repairing enclosures, trapping/releasing animals that are ready to be returned to the wild, fundraising, and educating the public on conservation and rescue. It is exhausting and wonderful.

I spend at least one weekend a month at the sanctuary in addition to the animals that I rescue in my home. I love being able to save animals while helping people learn how to live alongside them safely.

Uniting our Team in Knoxville

Submitted by Aleeshya Broome-Cordon, California Closets

Our Franchise Ops Team teamed up with United Way Knoxville to pack 150 cold weather kits. These are bags packed with gloves, hats, socks, hand warmers, and basic essentials for the unhoused community through the city’s cold weather shelters.

We took our passion for efficiency to heart and packed the kits within 30 minutes, which allowed for more time spent creating handwritten cards for the individuals receiving the kits. We even personally designed a system onsite as you can see from this professional drawing on one of our cards

As a team, we had so much fun coming together, creating personal cards to bring others a moment of joy, and feeling accomplished in knowing we have had a hand in making a difference in someone’s day.

The team at United Way Knoxville were amazing hosts and made us feel right at home. They were so kind to share a bit of their history, culture, and the reason(s) why they do what they do every day.

Planned Companies at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare

Submitted by Lisseth Montecinos

Planned Companies volunteered at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ for the second year in row.

Our group of 11 spent the day helping by taking the dogs out for walks. During these walks, volunteers observed how the dogs interacted with people, responded to different environments, and behaved overall. This information is valuable to the shelter staff, as it helps them update the dogs’ profiles and better match them with potential adopters.

Our team truly enjoyed spending time with the dogs and, of course, getting outside and enjoying the beautiful day. We’re already looking forward to going back next year and continuing our partnership with St. Hubert’s!

Janine’s Property Rangers 2026 Food Drive

Submitted by Jennifer Lora, FirstService Residential

Supporting SOS Homestead’s food pantry was a meaningful experience because it reminded me how even small acts of kindness can make a real difference. Seeing our team and residents in our communities come together to donate food for families in need showed the power of compassion and generosity. It had a personal impact on me by reinforcing the importance of giving back and inspiring me to continue creating opportunities for our community to help those who need it most.