Give Where We Live: The Quiet Work That Holds a Community Together

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Some moments stay with you forever.

A child walking through a store with a police officer, clutching a list that suddenly feels less about Christmas gifts and more about being seen. A kid standing behind a folding table on a warm afternoon, selling lemonade with a handwritten sign explaining that every dollar is going to support veterans who once served strangers without ever asking for recognition. These aren’t grand gestures. They don’t make headlines. But they live on — quietly shaping how we understand kindness, dignity, and belonging.

That’s the power of small acts of giving. They don’t feel small to the people who receive them.

The Impact of Small Acts

Kids and those who have served are often where we see this most clearly. A child learns early that their community will show up. A veteran is reminded that their service still matters long after the uniform comes off. These moments carry weight because they meet people at vulnerable intersections — when support isn’t just helpful, it’s formative.

Hardship and Community Support

There’s another truth worth acknowledging: hardship doesn’t discriminate. Poverty doesn’t arrive with warning or respect status. In difficult seasons, it can touch anyone — families who never imagined needing help, veterans navigating life after service, children absorbing more than adults realize.

And in those moments, it is often the quiet business owners — and the teams behind them — who step forward.

The Role of Local Businesses

They donate gift cards so a family can afford groceries that week. They sponsor youth programs because they remember needing one themselves. They organize fundraisers, volunteer time, and show up with care that goes far beyond their job titles. Their actions are rarely loud. But their impact is lasting.

This is also why we are so proud of our KS team. Each year, our people commit to fundraising throughout the entire year so that when Christmas comes, we’re able to deliver gifts directly to veteran families in need through Santa's Little Helpers. It’s not a one-day effort or a last-minute push. It’s months of care, planning, and generosity that culminate in moments that matter — families feeling supported, veterans feeling respected for their service, and children experiencing the kind of joy they’ll carry with them long after the season ends. Watch our first feature here:

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Introducing Give Where We Live

This is the spirit behind Give Where We Live.

Through this initiative, we come to local businesses not only to share the kindness they’re delivering in the community, but to spotlight the people behind it — the owners, the teams, the employees who are stepping up and caring in big ways. These stories deserve to be seen, celebrated, and shared. We see the many ways businesses are giving back:

– Sponsoring youth sports teams so kids can play, travel, and feel supported

– Supporting veterans and veteran families through holiday drives, care packages, or year-round fundraising efforts

– Donating gift cards or services for school fundraisers, raffles, and classroom needs

– Hosting or contributing to food drives, soup kitchens, and community pantries for local families

– Partnering with nonprofits that support health initiatives, grief support, crisis assistance, or special-needs services

– Providing supplies, meals, or financial help during unexpected hardships

– Assisting with pet food, veterinary care, or local animal support programs for families in need

– Volunteering time at community events, shelters, neighborhood clean-ups, or outreach efforts

– Supporting first responders, teachers, and essential workers through appreciation initiatives

– Offering mentorships, internships, or job opportunities to local youth

– Simply showing up — consistently — when the community needs help

Get Involved

If your business is giving back — quietly or boldly — we’d love to come tell that story. And if you know a business whose team is making a meaningful difference, tell us about them. We want to highlight the work, the heart, and the people making our communities stronger.

Because the moments that shape a community rarely make noise — but they last forever.

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Thank you for your support

Give Where We Live