A Season of Giving Back Together
Bolton & Menk is incredibly proud of all the ways our team members give back. This year, employees participated in our second annual Bolton & Menk Giving Drive, where team members reported how they supported their communities throughout the year, through donations of clothing, books, funds, food or volunteerism. Each year, our goal is to outgive our previous year’s totals, and we were so thrilled to have done just that, outgiving our 2024 totals in every single donation category.
Supporting Hunger Relief Initiatives
Meanwhile, many of our locations hosted special events to give back during the holiday season. Our Ames, IA location participated in “I Think I Can” food drive, collecting non-perishables for the organization Food at First.
“It wasn’t about a goal or a competition,” said event organizer and Administrative Assistant Annie Arbuckle. “It was about looking at the big picture and our community. SNAP benefits had not been reinstated, and many government workers were without a paycheck.”
Arbuckle challenged each team member to bring in a can of their favorite food, commenting, “It would feel like we were sharing a lunch and something that we like with a neighbor.”
Our Eden Prairie and Minneapolis, MN, locations also supported hunger relief by participating in Feed My Starving Children, packing food to be sent to youth around the world. An annual tradition at many of our locations, this year Feed My Starving Children provided food packs to 58 countries across the world. Meanwhile, in Mankato, MN, volunteers joined Feeding Our Community Partners’ Winter Break Deliveries event, dropping off food packs to students with limited access to food over the holidays. Additionally, our Burnsville and Mankato, MN locations participated in fundraising for the United Way and pledged donations to support our communities throughout the year.
This year, Director of Talent Management, Tonya Hobbie, served as the 2026 Campaign Chair for the Greater Mankato United Way. “I’m truly inspired by Bolton & Menk’s incredible dedication to serving our community and their unwavering partnership with organizations like the United Way,” said Hobbie. “Our team continues to make a powerful, uplifting difference in our region—and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’re achieving together!”
Bringing Holiday Spirit to Local Communities
In addition to food relief, our team showed tremendous generosity by supporting holiday gift efforts for children in their communities. Our Greenville, SC location adopted four children through Project Joy with the United Way, ensuring each child received a gift for the holidays, collecting presents ranging from art supplies to team FC Barcelona soccer gear. Meanwhile, the Myrtle Beach and Conway, SC teams gathered toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, rallying employees and community members to brighten the season for local kids in need. In our chilly Fargo, ND location, volunteers participated in the annual The Great North Pole event, where community members donate winter coats and other essentials to help alleviate families’ during the holiday season.
Our Myrtle Beach and Rock Hill, SC teams brought incredible holiday spirit to their local communities. The Myrtle Beach crew proudly featured a decorated survey truck in the Conway Christmas Parade, handing out candy and Bolton & Menk children’s books. Employees and their families joined in the fun by riding along and helping bring the float to life. At the same time, the Conway location kept the excitement going with a festive tailgate-style watch party, cheering as the parade made its way through downtown.
“My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed driving and riding in the truck. It was a blast and a totally different perspective of the parade compared to watching from the street,” said IT Systems Specialist, Jon Wilson.
Not to be outdone, the newly established downtown Rock Hill, SC location jumped right into the festivities by entering a truck in their own holiday parade and participating in the community’s Main Street window decoration competition, proudly showcasing their creativity and team spirit.
“It was so sweet watching parents and their children gaze through our office window to check out the Christmas village that was all lit up,” commented Administrative Coordinator, Susan Schivelbein, and mastermind of the Rock Hill window display.
Reflecting on a Season of Giving
As we look back on this season of giving, it’s clear the generosity, creativity, and compassion of our Bolton & Menk team members continue to make a meaningful impact across every community we serve.
In the words of Construction Manager Alex Madson: “Volunteering during this time of the year helps you feel the warmth of helping someone and reminds you of the times when you needed help.”
From food security efforts and holiday gift drives to spirited parade participation and heartfelt volunteerism, each act of kindness reflects our shared commitment to lifting others up. Together, we not only exceeded our goals, but also strengthened the bonds within our locations and with our neighbors. As we move into 2026, we carry forward this spirit of service, proud of all we’ve accomplished and inspired by what we can achieve next.
