Many apartment managers will bring a little more joy to their communities this year by creating programs that give residents the opportunity to enjoy the gift of giving this holiday season.
One of the largest managers, Addison, Texas-based Pinnacle, offers many programs across the nation during the holidays, Suzi Smith, marketing coordinator, says. And residents aren’t the only people getting involved: Employees are just as willing to give as the residents are.
Here are four programs Pinnacle does to make the holidays a little bit brighter:
Food Drives. The staff at Apple Creek Apartments in Omaha, Neb. encourages residents to get involved by donating food to benefit the Omaha Food Bank and the Open Door Mission. The largest drive collected about 3,000 donations. “The holidays are a popular time for families and friends to gather around the table and share a special meal,” Smith says. "Yet, there are people within our communities who will not enjoy this experience at all because of financial hardships. Colder weather sometimes forces the choice between buying food or heat, not both. Pinnacle’s residents and staff want to do their part to help those in need.”
Salvation Army Donations. Two of Pinnacle’s communities get involved with giving to the Salvation Army. The Signature Pointe Apartments in Kent, Wash. has set up an "Angel Tree" program for the last four years. Residents are welcome to choose a donation suggestion from the tree and purchase the items for a local child in need. Meanwhile, the property manager at the Rosemont of Hillsboro in Hillsboro, Texas volunteered to be a bell ringer for the organization and collect donations.
Toys for Tots. Nine of Pinnacle’s properties take part in some sort of Toys for Tots program. Some leasing offices serve as drop-off locations for the community while other properties choose to collect donations from residents. “Toys for Tots is not only widespread, as are we, but they distribute the toys in the same communities where they are collected,” Smith says. “This organization offers individuals at our communities the opportunity to put smiles on the faces of local children during the holidays. That’s magical.”
Sponsoring Local Families. The North Creek Heights community in Bothell, Wash. sponsors a family in a local women’s shelter. The apartment community comes together to choose items from a giving tree to purchase and donate to support the family. The event runs from Dec. 4 to the 22 and supports a three to five person family.
