In September, OUC employees and their families came together for a three-part volunteer initiative supporting The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, an organization dedicated to helping families rebuild lives after personal tragedy or disaster. Through donation drives and hands-on service, OUC employees embodied the spirit of community and compassion, one box, one bed, and one smile at a time.
Three Ways to Give Back
The “Pieces with Purpose” campaign invited employees to contribute in multiple ways:
- Undergarment Donation Drive (Aug. 11 – Sept. 9): Employees donated new socks and underwear of all sizes to help restock The Mustard Seed’s Seed Boutique Clothing Program, providing help and comfort to those in need.
- Household Items Drive (Sept. 9): Gently used clothing, shoes, books, décor, kitchenware, and linens were collected across four OUC warehouses, Gardenia, Pershing, Stanton, and St. Cloud, helping furnish homes and support The Mustard Seed’s mission.
- Volunteer Day at The Mustard Seed (Sept. 20): Forty-seven OUC employees and their family members, ages 12 and up, rolled up their sleeves at the organization’s warehouse, sorting and organizing donations, assisting clients, and helping with thrift store operations.
Service That Sparked Impact
The Mustard Seed opened its facility on a Saturday, outside of normal business hours, to host our volunteers. Together, OUC employees helped generate over $500 in thrift store sales in just three hours, a remarkable achievement, as the store is normally closed on Saturdays. Thanks to the employees who volunteered their time that day, the store made the equivalent of a full day’s performance. Volunteers also loaded furniture for five families, ensuring that more than 15 individuals now have beds and essential furnishings instead of sleeping on the floor.
Participation in all three parts of the initiative, donating, volunteering, or both, earned employees Watts, recognizing their commitment to community engagement.
Together, OUC continues to power what matters most — our community.
