Building a Difference
United States
2009 was a tough year for millions of people throughout the world, and Utah was no exception. The need for food assistance for people in Utah increased 33% in 2009 over 2008, but the amount of food donated to the Utah Food Bank only increased by 15%. 4Life employees helped out in the local community by donating over 1,000 pounds of non-perishable food. In addition, 33 employees volunteered at the food bank, sorting incoming food that had been donated by members of the community. These food boxes were then shipped to individual food pantries throughout Utah. “I’ve always seen the bins and boxes for Utah Food Bank donations, but I never realized how much work it took to sort and prepare those donations for delivery,” said 4Life Writing Manager Rachel Thomae. “Working with my team at the food bank opened my eyes to both the generosity of our community, as well as the continued need for many people. Just two hours at the food bank will forever change the way that I donate food items in the future.”
For the second year in a row, Foundation 4Life® sponsored a Giving Tree that allowed 4Life employees to purchase special holiday gifts for the children at La Casa Rosada orphanage in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 4Life employees could choose from several different options, and many employees donated multiple items. 4Life employees donated: 64 boys’ tank tops, 113 pairs of boys’ socks, 86 pairs of boys’ underwear, 150 pairs of girls’ underwear, 112 pairs of girls’ socks, 23 girls’ bras, 55 shirts, 55 kids’ backpacks, and 29 art projects. Employees also gave over $2,300 in payroll donations during December, which was matched by the company. “For the second year in a row, 4Life employees really gave from the heart for our Giving Tree holiday charity,” remarked Foundation 4Life Director Tracie Kay. “Numerous employees donated several items to the children at La Casa Rosada, and also participated in other service activities we sponsored throughout the holiday season. Project after project, employees make the necessary sacrifices in their personal lives to make a difference in the lives of others. Our employees truly live the mission of Together, Building People®.”
La Casa Rosada is a Catholic orphanage in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It provides critical health care, housing, education, and job training for over 50 orphans affected by HIV and Foundation 4Life has been involved with La Casa Rosada since July 2006. Donations have provided 4Life products on a monthly basis and helped build and furnish a beautiful new addition to the existing orphanage. Orphanage director Sister Dolores Pascual and nine La Casa Rosada kids traveled all the way to Orlando, Florida to attend illuminate ’09. Their week included trips to Busch Gardens®, Discovery Cove®, and Walt Disney World®. For their excursion to Discovery Cove, the kids were joined by Beacon of Hope donors and 4Life executives for a fun day of making new friends, swimming with fish and stingrays, eating delicious food, and even swimming with dolphins. During Saturday morning’s General Session, the La Casa Rosada guests spoke on stage and expressed gratitude for all the support from 4Life executives, employees, and distributors. They also performed a traditional Dominican Republic dance for the crowd. Sister Dolores shared her heartfelt gratitude for everything that 4Life distributors have done to help give these children a better life.
The Bring Comfort Home fundraiser was announced during 4Life’s illuminate ’09 convention to help furnish the addition to La Casa Rosada orphanage in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with toys, beds, desks, towels, chairs, and tables. Distributors were able to “purchase” items for the orphanage addition. Over $200,000 was raised throughout the course of the convention. During the Platinum and Gold International Diamond Social on the first night of illuminate ‘09, distributors took part in a special auction in support of La Casa Rosada. Everyone placed bids on room furnishings needed for the new orphanage addition. The winning bidder for each room will receive a special plaque with his/her name that will hang at La Casa Rosada. Over $90,000 was raised by very generous distributors and employees.
During illuminate ’09, thousands of 4Life distributors worked with 4Life executives and employees to benefit E.S.T.H.E.R., a non-profit organization in Florida that provides support for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of single mothers and their children with education programs, vocational training, employment opportunities, and more. Every year, E.S.T.H.E.R. holds a back-to-school fair to help alleviate the financial stress that single mothers face each September when their children start a new school year. 4Life distributors and executives filled 1500 backpacks with school supplies for the 2009 fair! This is the second convention in a row that 4Life executives, employees, and distributors have worked together on a service project. In 2007, 10,000 hygiene kits were assembled to aid victims of disaster.
In December 2008, Foundation 4Life donated more than $75,000 in products to people in need. The donation was part of a collaborative effort with the Direct Selling Association (DSA), in support of the NBC TODAY Show annual holiday drive. It was the second year that 4Life participated in NBC’s charitable event. In 2007, company Co-founder Bianca Lisonbee appeared on the show as a representative of the direct selling industry. Along with more than 3,700 business/computer bags, 264 4Life gym bags, and 1,750 canvas bags, 4Life donated 681 bottles of 4Life Transfer Factor® Chewable and almost 900 skin care products, including cleansers, moisturizers, night creams, and purifying systems.
During the 2008 holiday season, 4Life executives and employees engaged in special fundraising and gift-giving drives to help “make it memorable” for the children at La Casa Rosada. Many 4Life employees increased their regular donations to the orphanage, and also purchased gifts for the kids from Giving Trees placed throughout the corporate offices. As a result of the Giving Tree project, the kids received brand-new shoes, underwear, socks, school items, and a computer game console with several games.
Since 2005, the 4Life Home Office has held 13 blood drives to help save lives. In February 2009, close to 25 4Life employees participated in the drive, sponsored by the American Red Cross. Since it was founded in 1881, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. When asked why she chose to participate in the 4Life blood drive, Vice President of Accounting Deann Carter said, “It helps save lives and it is so badly needed!”
In April 2008, 4Life® executives, distributors, and employees walked, ran, and biked in support of the kids at La Casa Rosada Orphanage. The Healthy 4Life team had more than 80 participants in five different events at the Salt Lake City marathon: marathon, half-marathon, 5K, 25-mile bike tour, and 1K kids marathon. In the months leading up to the event, 4Life® distributors from all over the globe stepped up their donations. 4Life® employees also dug deeper, with one-time credit card donations, payroll deductions, and “drop in the bucket” contributions. 4Life® vendors donated money and items to raffle off. Local restaurants made contributions to the Healthy 4Life team through lunch discounts for group employee lunches.
During the 2007 holiday season, 4Life employees from the Sandy, Utah corporate office doubled their service efforts with increased donations and a charity auction. 4Life focused the annual holiday charity drive on immediate needs at La Casa Rosada Orphanage in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. With employee donations more than double any previous year’s contributions (matched dollar for dollar by 4Life), Foundation 4Life was able to make a major impact at the orphanage. These funds helped purchase an industrial gas dryer, 300 t-shirts for preschool uniforms, and holiday gifts.
Thousands of people in more than a dozen cities walk 60 miles in three days to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. Each participant is asked to raise $2,200. The event attracts novice and seasoned athletes - and, of course, breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. Each person walks at his or her own pace, cheered on by hundreds of well wishers. This weekend of hope honors women who have lost their lives to breast cancer and celebrates survivors. Proceeds from the event benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
Founded in 1865, the Salvation Army has been “ringing the bell” of service throughout the world for more than 150 years. Fueled by their motto, "Doing the Most Good," this organization provides assistance to more than 30 million people a year through numerous programs and projects, including holiday assistance, disaster relief services, AIDS education and residential services, medical facilities, shelters for battered women and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, and substance abuse rehabilitation. 4Life has partnered with the Salvation Army for the holidays, donating clothing and personal items as well as volunteering in its food service program, the Salvation Army Diner.
During 4Life’s 2007 international convention, distributors from around the world bid on artwork created by the children at La Casa Rosada Orphanage in the Dominican Republic. A total of $100,000 was raised through the combined efforts of an auction held at a 4Life leaders’ dinner, a silent auction held throughout the convention, and distributor and employee donations. The contributions helped further work on a much-needed building addition to the orphanage. Work is moving forward on a cafeteria, three classrooms, basketball court, chapel, hair salon, and bathrooms. Orphanage founder Sister Carmen Veiga and resident Julissa Vargas were able to travel to Salt Lake City for elevation07. During the convention, 4Life executives presented them with the $100,000 donation check.
As part of 4Life’s international convention in 2007, 4Life Distributors, executives, and employees worked together to assemble 10,000 hygiene kits for disaster relief, such as the devastation created by Hurricane Noel. The kits included items such as: toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, soap, and hand towels.
Every year during the holiday season, the NBC “TODAY” show viewers, website visitors, and corporate contributors team up to provide toys, books, games, clothing, toiletries, electronics, musical instruments, CDs, videos, cosmetics, and other gifts to more than three million children via 210 organizations in all 50 states. Foundation 4Life participated in 2007 by donating more than 600 blankets, 600 pillows, and 4000 bottles of 4Life Transfer Factor® enummi™ lotion to those who benefited from the drive. 4Life Co-founder Bianca Lisonbee traveled to New York City to appear on the “TODAY” show to make the donation.
