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1A Community Day 2024

In Announcements
4 colleagues around a table working on Wes Strong Ribbons on Community Day 2024

On Columbus Day, colleagues once again dedicated their time and talents to assist local nonprofits. This marked the 18th annual 1A Community Day, a special day focused on giving back and reinvesting in the community we proudly serve.

Team members from every department took part in this initiative, highlighting our collective commitment to making a meaningful difference. 1st Advantage is both grateful and proud to support these remarkable organizations.

Accomplishments included:

  • 1,560

    pounds of food distributed to 95 people through THRIVE

  • 1,050

    Comfort Bags assembled for the USO.

  • 2,221

    childhood cancer ribbon pins created for the Wes Strong Foundation.

  • 161

    surgery bears for patients at CHKD.

  • 51

    blanket wraps made for New Beech Grove Homeless Ministry.

  • 1,000

    gratitude goodie bags assembled for our local hometown heroes (firefighters, nurses, doctors, teachers, etc.).

  • 344

    toys purchased to be distributed to local families through the Wes Strong Foundation.

  • 146

    wish list items purchased for the CHKD Child Life Department.

  • 360

    boxes filled at the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank to nourish community members facing hunger.

  • 375

    boxes of diapers and wipes collected while shredding thousands of pounds of documents for our members.

  • 2,144

    dollars raised for the 1st Advantage Foundation through a silent auction and 50/50 raffle.

  • 391

    essential items were donated to FISH, Inc., a volunteer-run organization providing emergency food and clothing to those in need.

  • 50

    people fed through PiN Ministry, a nonprofit dedicated to serving the homeless.

Colleagues working on the Homeless wraps project on Community Day
Group photo of colleagues that went shopping for gifts for the Wes Strong Foundation.
Women with joyful expression seeing the aquarium for the first time.
Colleagues volunteering at the Foodbank on Community Day.
Colleagues working on the Surgery Bear project for CHKD
Photo of colleagues working at THRIVE

In addition, colleagues assembled and delivered benches to Edmarc, a nonprofit offering hospice and home health care for children, providing comfort to those in challenging circumstances. Picnic tables were carefully stained and donated to the Peninsula Rescue Mission’s women’s shelter.

Our teams also brightened spaces across the community, adding an Expo paint wall and making room improvements at the Center for Child & Family Services. Seniors were treated to a memorable afternoon at the Aquarium, while the teacher’s lounge at Peake Childhood Center was decorated and stocked with snacks, offering educators a well-deserved retreat. Over at the Victory Family YMCA, we refreshed their pavilion with a new coat of paint, enhancing a gathering spot for community activities.

We also spent time at the Peninsula SPCA, where volunteers painted creative ceiling tiles to bring life to the space. Along with our hands-on efforts, we donated funds to support the shelter’s mission of caring for and finding homes for animals.

These projects, while varied, all had a common goal: to make a lasting, positive impact on the community we serve.

Group photo of colleagues that packed the Hometown Hero Comfort Bags.
Photo of colleague presenting a $500 check to THRIVE.
Colleagues bringing our donations and stocking shelves at FISH, Inc.