For a community to thrive, dedicated people must rally behind it and together to make it better as a whole. American Licorice Company (ALC) recognizes encourages all associates to be a leading force on the way to a community’s success.
Each year, all American Licorice associates are given 16 paid volunteer hours to use any way they choose. The company also rewards associates who do extraordinary things. In 2018 alone, ALC volunteered 2,674 hours inside their communities.
But it doesn’t stop there.
“For each unpaid hour that associates volunteer, American Licorice gives them points. They can then use these points to purchase American Licorice clothing, blankets, water bottles, and other fun items of their choice,” said Nicole Krol, head of community outreach and sustainability at American Licorice Company.
ALC is always looking for different opportunities to give back to the community. In the past, the company has partnered with In Good Company to do community service trips. Associates have been sent to New York to restore community gardens, Ohio to remove trash from the Ohio River, and California to plant trees.
Another service that American Licorice Company is passionate about is helping local youth.
“Volunteers work with kids through mentorship and ensure that they have the necessary school supplies and are provided with warm clothing,” Krol said.
American Licorice Company also started a campaign about spreading kindness and embracing individuality while appreciating the differences in others. To help spread this mission, ALC has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, and taken Olympic Athlete Norris Frederick into local schools to talk about overcoming adversity and being kind to others.
“Working for a company that encourages everyone to give back just shows its character and how much it cares for their employees and the community,” Krol said.
Not everyone gives back in the same way.
“Some associates choose to spend time at their kids’ schools or coaching a team of some sort. Others choose to volunteer in a group that we put together,” Krol said. “It’s up to each individual to decide what matters to them and how they feel they can make the biggest impact.”
There’s even opportunity to give back right at the office.
“We offer opportunities to volunteer in our Sweet Goods Garden. Associates can come out and plant seeds in the spring and help harvest and clean up in the fall,” Krol said. “We offer the produce at no cost to anyone in the community that would like to stop by.”
This year, besides donating candy to multiple locations in La Porte and surrounding communities, ALC associates are giving back in other ways as well. The company is collecting hats, coats, and gloves to donate to local schools for distribution to students as needed. American Licorice Company also has organized a drive for pet items and will donate pet food and toys to a local shelter. Every year associates also participate in Toys for Tots and Adopt a Family.
A new venture this year is the ALC effort to collect gently used professional clothing for organizations who help people get ready for interviews and new jobs.
The thousands of community service hours do not go unseen by fellow community members.
“The community has come to see ALC as a leader in giving back. I get countless calls from people saying we have helped them in the past and know they can count on us for the same support in the future,” Krol said.
American Licorice Company would like to give a special shout out to associate Victor Martinez who volunteered a whopping 250 hours giving back to his community!
“He is a great example to all of us,” Krol said.
