UNITY - Chery Nordick, manager of Unity’s Red Apple, assistant manager Arlene Southgate and staff continue to commit to the community’s greater good through support of community and provincial charitable causes.
For Thanksgiving, the team always sets up a food collection depot for the local food bank. With many Red Apple locations offering some grocery items, it is an easy way for customers to drop in an extra item to help those who need a hand up.
In November, the team offered discounted purchases as well as a collection depot for Samaritan’s Purse shoebox program. Customers have found this a good way to participate in the Christmas tradition. The team then drives the filled boxes to a drop-off location in North Battleford where they are taken to the depot that will fly them to their destinations.
The team was of great assistance to a local woman who was collecting clothing, food and other necessities for the B.C. relief efforts. Nordick even called their neighboring store in Biggar to arrange a one-day drop-off point there to help the cause.
In December, the team at Red Apple finds a couple different ways to continue their giving ways in the spirit of Christmas. The annual “fill the sleigh” day takes place Dec. 11 when customers are offered a discount on purchases that are earmarked for the Secret Santa campaign and food bank The store is also a designated drop-off point throughout December for these community charities.
Another favourite activity for staff is the “adopt-a-grandparent” campaign that runs from Dec. 8 to 14. Customers can make a purchase to go towards gift bags that are delivered by staff to local seniors' centers, or they can leave a monetary donation for staff to do the shopping.
Red Apple staff maintain that even though Christmas season is busier in the store and that their business offers numerous special sales days, it won’t stop them for offering extra time to these causes they are proud to support.
“We discussed it and just decided on a simple mandate, help everybody,” Nordick and Southgate said.
