Giving back to the community and promoting good citizenship are important parts of Visteon’s culture. Despite the challenges 2020 has brought, employees from the company’s headquarters in Van Buren Township, Mich., U.S., have come together to support those less fortunate during the holiday season.
Donations of presents and money have been collected for Operation Good Cheer – an established volunteer gift-giving program in its 50th year – sponsored by the Child and Family Services of Michigan. These contributions benefit infants, children, teenagers and adults with disabilities, many of whom reside in foster care, group homes and residential treatment facilities throughout the state.
A generous $6,000 anonymous donation covered the cost of sponsoring 30 individuals, and an additional 36 individuals were collectively sponsored by employees. A separate donation of $290 was provided to Operation Good Cheer and will be used to purchase gifts for individuals that have entered the system more recently.
A second initiative, The Holiday Food Basket Program, feeds needy families in the Southeast Michigan area each year. The program is made possible by Visteon employees and is supported by Busch’s Food Market in Plymouth, Michigan. Monetary donations from employees are collected and used to purchase food items such as turkey, vegetables, rice, stuffing, potatoes and more.
This year, the company set a goal of 160 baskets. With the help of a $4,000 anonymous donation, Visteon exceeded the target by collecting funds for 215 baskets.
Sally Bond, director of development at Development Centers – a human services organization in the Detroit area and recipient of holiday food baskets – said the food boxes donated help children stay fed and reduce stress on parents who would otherwise have to choose between food and other essential items like diapers or gasoline. She added that Visteon's support in these initiatives means so much because it shows people and organizations in the local community care about those in need.