Community Involvement
At Debt Shield, we believe philanthropy is a valuable and essential part of our company's corporate culture. Our mission is to help people who are struggling with debt, and giving back to the community is the most appropriate extension of that mission. Debt Shield employees have engaged in a variety of charitable activities from the very start.
Denim Fund
On Fridays, Debt Shield employees are invited to wear jeans to work in exchange for a monetary donation. Every time a substantial amount of money is collected, employees submit the name of the charity of their choice and one is randomly selected to receive the donation. Debt Shield has made over 20 charitable donations since this Denim Fund was established in our company's very first year.
Examples of charities that have benefited from our Denim Fund include: Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity, Parent Place of Maryland, World Vision, United Way, and the Tibet Foundation. The diversity and creativity of our employees enables us to benefit a variety of people in need from underprivileged Mexican orphans to newly released prisoners struggling to become productive citizens.
Every Friday is casual day at Debt Shield, with one string attached. For a small price, each member of our team contributes to improving people's lives (in addition to improving the lives of our clients!).
See our extensive and ever-growing list of Denim Fund recipients and a brief description of each charity.
Big Brother Big Sister Program
Debt Shield employees are in their fourth year volunteering with the Big Brother Big Sister “Bigs in School” program. This program lets volunteers visit participating schools one day a week and have lunch with their little brother or sister.
Debt Shield employees - including Debt Shield CEO and Founder Phil Fewster - spend one lunch a week with students at two local elementary schools. The program offers a lasting opportunity to make an impact on a child's life while fitting visits into their work schedules. The “Bigs in School” program is great for working professionals because it only takes 45 minutes a week! Yet, in that time Debt Shield employees build solid mentoring relationships with local children simply by showing up, helping with homework, talking and playing games.
Disaster Victims
Our generous employees have contributed to funds for natural disaster victims, including the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Fund and the World Vision Quake & Tsunami Victims in Asia Fund. Our employees also promoted blood drives through the American Red Cross.
Gilchrist Hospice Care (formerly Hospice of Howard County)
The Gilchrist Hospice Care provides end-of-life physical, emotional, and spiritual care for people with terminal illnesses and bereavement support for their families. We are especially proud of our relationship with the Gilchrist Hospice Care. Not only do we contribute to their organization, but we participate in their events.
In Fall 2005, Debt Shield employees joined the Gilchrist Hospice Care's 20th annual Taste and Auction fundraiser and helped the charity raise funds in excess of $355,000. Our involvement in this event contributed to our goal of contributing $20,000 to charity by the end of that year.
In Spring 2006, the Gilchrist Hospice Care recommended Debt Shield for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Award. In their recommendation letter, they wrote that Debt Shield's “philanthropic leadership created a model that encouraged their employees to make contributions and that can be replicated in future years and by other companies... [they have] already demonstrated the sophistication and foresight to initiate a charitable program and model philanthropic behavior to their employees and to the community.”
Seasonal Giving
There is a reason to give each season, and Debt Shield employees pool together to purchase items and donate money towards different seasonal giving opportunities. In the past, this included giving families a full Thanksgiving feast with turkey and all the trimmings and donating holiday gifts and other items to deserving families over the winter holidays.
Debt Shield is more than a company, and our corporate culture demonstrates this fact. We are a group of caring people dedicated to making life better for those experiencing real hardships. In the spirit of our mission, Debt Shield employees engage in a variety of charitable activities as a way of giving back to the community.
