THE ORIGIN STORY OF VIRNIG GIVES BACK: SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES
On a subzero day in January 2023, Virnig Manufacturing launched a long-term giving project close to our hearts. This post is dedicated to the idea, the implementation, and the organizations we connected with in bringing Virnig Gives Back to life.
Over the years Virnig has supported many local businesses, charities, and special projects. But we wanted to do more, and we'd been talking about new ways to contribute for some time. In the fall of 2022, team Virnig got together to brainstorm giving back to our communities in Minnesota and Tennessee.
It all started with mention of supporting a Minnesota local nonprofit. But then we thought, what about Tennessee? That’s our community too. And what about this type of nonprofit, or that type of program in our neighborhood? How do we show our support for not just one, but many? We couldn't possibly pick just one.
Thus, Virnig Gives Back began. For every single month of 2023, Virnig Manufacturing would find someone in Minnesota and Tennessee that tugged at our heartstrings. All the better if it lined up with a #cause, or a dedicated holiday month or day that would help highlight that organization for the work that they do.
The following is a list of the 12 months of 2023, and the nonprofits, programs, events, and organizations we were able to connect with for #VirnigGivesBack. Support came via direct donations, volunteer time, purchased wish list items, and more.
Join us, and together let's make a difference in our communities!
CHAPTERS (click to skip to any section)
JAN. - Human Trafficking Prevention: Supporting Safe Spaces
FEB. - World Cancer Day: Hand-Tied Blankets for Cancer Center
MAR. - National Reading Month: Donating to Libraries
APR. - Earth Day: Future Forest Fund Donation
MAY - Be Kind to Animals Week: Humane Society Supply Drive
JUN. - Blood Drive On-Location: American Red Cross
JUL. - Make A Difference to Children Month: Elementary Schools
AUG. - Be Kind to Humankind Week: Rice & Pikeville Food Drives
SEP. - PhilanthroFEED Sponsored Dinner with Salvation Army
OCT. - Manufacturing Month: Giving Back to #TeamVirnig
NOV. - Thanking Veterans: Clothing Drive
DEC. - Happy Haul-idays to Our Local Nursing Homes
JANUARY - Human Trafficking Prevention: Supporting Safe Spaces
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, so we chose to support the Terebinth Refuge in MN and the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking (CCAHT) in TN.
As a shelter for hope and healing, Terebinth Refuge provides safe housing, transitional housing, and on-site services to help exploited and trafficked women attain their individual goals towards recovery and independence.
CCAHT is a counter-trafficking organization that unites and equips our community to end human trafficking, while providing survivors with shelter and comprehensive trauma-informed aftercare services.
How can you help?
Shop the wishlist, donate, or purchase gifts!
https://www.terebinthrefuge.org/donate
https://growfreetn.org/donate
FEBRUARY - World Cancer Day: Hand-Tied Blankets for Cancer Center
The Coborn Cancer Center provides comprehensive care and an extensive range of treatment options to support cancer patients and their families. The Coborn Healing Center supports with cancer-related services for mind, body, and spirit.
Virnig held a blanket-tying event, and employees and their families volunteered time to tie blankets to donate to the Center. Many who couldn't attend the event brought blankets home to tie. We hope the donated blankets provided comfort and warmth for all those going through a difficult time.
MARCH - National Reading Month: Donating to Local libraries
March is National Reading Month and #ReadAcrossAmericaDay. For the love of reading, Virnig donated to the Great River Regional Library in St. Cloud, MN, and the Bledsoe County Public Library in Pikeville, TN.
Great River Regional Library offers a variety of programs for kids and adults. From animal stories to textile events, you may find that your local library has more resources than you thought! There are also e-books for kids and adults, and computers for public use. And as of January 3, 2022 Great River Regional Library is Fines Free!
Bledsoe County Public Library provides access to a variety of resources including books, periodicals, audio-visual materials, and online databases. They also offer a range of programs and services for all ages, including story time for children, book clubs for adults, and computer classes for seniors. Additionally, the library provides free Wi-Fi, study rooms, and a quiet space for reading and research.
Our public libraries are a valuable resource for the community. Check them out!
APRIL - Earth Day: Future Forest Fund Donation
We’ve done our fair share of decimating trees over the years, but this Earth Day we embraced forestry in an entirely different way. This month, the #VirnigGivesBack program was dedicated to helping to protect and restore our states' natural beauty. Virnig is proud to donate to the Future Forest Fund in Minnesota, and to Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee.
MAY - Be Kind to Animals Week: Humane Society Supply Drive
Do you love animals? This month Virnig Gives Back to Tri-County Humane Society.
Be Kind to Animals Week was the purr-fect time to invite EVERYONE to take part in this month’s giving. We matched a $250+ donation, plus collected all the food, toys, medical supplies, and more that people wished to donate.
We dropped off supplies on Saturday the 20th, which also happens to be #RescueDogDay.
THANK YOU to everyone who chose to pawticipate and make a difference for these animals!
How can you help?
Donate or drop off supplies! Adopt. Spay & neuter. Volunteer. Foster. There are so many ways to make a paws-itive impact! ♥😻
JUNE - Blood Drive On-Location: American Red Cross
⚠TW: This month’s Virnig Gives Back was a blood drive AT OUR LOCATION. With help from the American Red Cross, we gave the gift of life.
And what better place to host it than the marketing room?
Yeah. You needle to know that. Now listen varicosely.
Here are most of the folks who overcame the needles and lightheadedness to help save lives. Coagulations to all of you, and THANK YOU for this selfless act! We ♥beat our goal of 26 blood donors - we got 31!
In the words of Hannibal, “I bleed for this company. LITERALLY.”
Remember, whatever you do, always give 100%.
Unless you’re donating blood.
JULY - Make A Difference to Children Month: PIKEVILLE & RICE Elementary Schools
This month’s Virnig Gives Back Program was dedicated to Rice and Pikeville Elementary schools, in honor of July's Make A Difference to Children Month.
The Goal: Fill 30+ backpacks with school supplies for our local littles.
We decided to do a cash drive instead of supplies, so we could pack all bags with the same materials and score on bulk discounts to give away even more! Team members who wanted to participate brought cash donations, and thanks to their generosity we far surpassed our goal of 30 bags packed.
Between our MN & TN locations, we raised an impressive $595. With Virnig’s $500 match, that makes a grand total of $1,095! Not only was that enough for 48 backpacks stuffed with essential supplies, we used the extra funds to purchase classroom necessities like tissues, cleaning wipes, and extra class supplies.
Shoutout to our awesome team members for making this Backpack Drive so wildly successful.
Backpacks were donated to the elementary schools of Pikeville and Rice, just in time for the start of the new school year.
AUGUST - Be Kind to Humankind Week: Rice & Pikeville Food Drives
In observance of World Humanitarian Day, and to celebrate Be Kind to Humankind week August 25-31, our #VirnigGivesBack program for August was a food drive!
You can help year-round in supporting our local food shelves by donating non-perishable, non-expired food items.
Your contributions, big or small, can make a significant difference in someone's life. Even one single can or box can go a long way!
Here are a few ideas for food donations:
🍽 Canned goods (vegetables, fruits, soups)
🍚 Rice, pasta, and grains
🥫 Peanut butter and jelly
🥪 Cereal and granola bars
🥨 Snacks and treats
Here’s a list of what to avoid:
🥛 Items needing refrigeration
🤢 Expired food
🍗 Leftovers
⚠ Damaged, dented, or bloated packaging
🍪 Baked or homemade goods
SEPTEMBER - PhilanthroFEED Sponsored Dinner with Salvation Army
As part of our ongoing commitment to make a positive impact in our community, Virnig teamed up with PhilanthroFEED by Salvation Army to sponsor a wholesome meal for people in need.
Here are some snapshots of #TeamVirnig in action, joining hands to serve those who could use a helping hand. Thank you to our team members who donated their time and efforts to see smiles & nourishment spread to fellow members of our community.
These moments remind us of the power of unity and the difference we can make together.
For more information about PhilanthroFEED, please click here.
OCTOBER - Manufacturing Month: Giving Back to #TeamVirnig
Up until now, we’ve been focused on supporting businesses and nonprofits in MN and TN that we feel make a difference in our communities.
This month, we focused on #TeamVirnig.
That’s right, this month’s Virnig Gives Back was dedicated to our people. We planned special surprises and treats as gestures of appreciation for our team all month long.
Caramel rolls. Kettle corn. Kitty cuddles. Trick or treat bags. Happy Hour. Meat & Cheese platters.
We couldn’t do what we do without each and every one of you standing behind the Virnig name.
Thank you!
NOVEMBER - Thanking Veterans: Clothing Drive
THANK YOU, VETERANS! ❤🤍💙
Virnig hosted a clothing drive for St. Cloud StandDown, a fantastic organization that assists our local heroes.
We collected Men's & Women's lightly used & freshly laundered clothing.
How can you help? Boots, socks, new underwear, and winter clothes are especially needed. Help make a real difference in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
DECEMBER - Happy Haul-idays to Our Local Nursing Homes
In the spirit of giving, December’s #VirnigGivesBack project began back in October. We designed and printed custom greeting cards, then asked employees' kiddos and a local elementary school to color them in. Some (ok, most) added a sweet message inside.
With the coloring in progress, we then assembled care packages to accompany each card. The packages and cards were recently gifted to residents of local nursing homes.
This is a milestone for Virnig as we wrap up our entire year of the Virnig Gives Back movement. We hope we have inspired you, lifted your spirits, touched your heart in some way.
What was your favorite part of Virnig giving back? Do you have suggestions for nonprofits or organizations we can support in future efforts? Stay tuned as we continue this momentum into next year!
Join us, and together let’s make a difference! ♥
