PACE — Alyssa's, Alyssa's Etc. and The Refinery @ Alyssa's are approaching Christmas giving in unique fashion. The top 12 customer recommended nonprofits will receive monetary donations from Alyssa's from $1,200 for the top charity, $1,100 for the second and on down to $100.
"I want to support the people that support us," Alyssa Schepper, owner of Alyssa's said. "I want to give. It makes my heart feel good."
Schepper came up with the idea in one of her 2 a.m. epiphanies she said. She calls it "The 12 Charities of Christmas."
This year, through Facebook, Alyssa's asked customers to mention their favorite nonprofit organization. Customers have until Dec. 12 to add their recommendations. The top 12 organizations receive a donation. People can nominate and vote at www.facebook.com/shopalyssas, or www.facebook.com/alyssasEtc.
"Customers trust us to put things in their homes," Schepper said explaining that she trusts her customers to tell her who should get Alyssa's yearly holiday donations.
Giving back is part of the company's culture. Alyssa's mission statement says, “To provide a superior store with excellent customer service and a Christ centered atmosphere all while impacting our community by being the hands and feet of Jesus.”
Alyssa's also supports organizations with special meaning to employees, like My Father’s Arrows, Inc. a faith-based, community-driven charity that helps children in foster care and Santa Rosa Bridges Out of Povery that helps the homeless transition to self-sufficiency.
When Alyssa's found out Santa Rosa Bridges could only use their grant money to pay for rent and deposits, the company purchased 16 sets of beds, chest of drawers, pots and pans, and dishes because Schepper says, "Who wants to come home to an empty house?"
Through the Facebook recommendations, Schepper found many organizations she never knew about. She gave two examples. The Her Foundation provides services for homeless female veterans and Camp Missing Piece is a free local community bereavement camp for children that have experienced the death of a loved one. Schepper said learning about these new nonprofits is just another opportunity to give back.
The Press Gazette conducted a similar Facebook poll asking readers to recommend nonprofits to support.
- A Hope for Santa Rosa County
- Fitkidsforlife.org
- Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'The 12 Charities of Christmas'