Originally published at https://carlsbadlifeinaction.com on November 30, 2020.
With the holidays in full swing, many Carlsbad companies, organizations and citizens are making an extra effort to lend a helping hand to their community, especially during these uncertain times.
One example is the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, which awarded more than $120,000 to nonprofits this year, helping fund diverse causes from education to food waste reduction.
Carlsbad is home to generous contributors in the private sector too. Perhaps no greater example of corporate benevolence is Nordson, an internationally venerated manufacturer of precision dispensing and fluid management technology. In 2019, the company was awarded the Community Footprint Award from the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, recognizing its commitment to a positive community legacy through outreach, volunteerism, and corporate responsibility.
Nordson employees celebrate Earth Day with the Boys and Girls Club.
Nordson’s dedication to giving back is integral to the company’s ethos, a promise that was written in its bylaws upon its founding in 1954. Five percent of Nordson’s domestic profits are donated to charity each year. Employees are encouraged to get into the giving spirit too, with dedicated paid time off specifically for volunteering as well as a generous $10,000 matching program for donations. Nordson has doubled down on its efforts to give back during the pandemic, allocating an additional $1 million to COVID-19 relief related causes.
While the companywide days of service took a backseat this year, Nordson utilized virtual opportunities to continue its goodwill. This holiday season, Nordson will be gifting the children of Casa de Amparo, a San Marcos-based residential community for abused and neglected children, with items from their wishlist.
Nordson contributed handmade blankets to Project Night Night bags, given to children in need
These acts of giving back aren’t limited to Carlsbad businesses. Members of the Carlsbad community are giving back in their own unique ways. Teen entrepreneur Nolan Mejia proved efforts can start small and still make a big impact. Meija and his classmates at Sage Creek High School provide free grocery shopping and delivery for seniors and at-risk groups in Carlsbad and surrounding areas. According to Feeding America, food insecurity is at an all-time high due to COVID-19.
One Carlsbad man took matters into his own hands, raising money for the San Diego Food Bank by designing and selling “COVID 6’ Feet” T-shirts. Jimbo’s is alleviating food insecurity too, through its Community Give Back campaign, which will award a lucky family one year of free food.
Suffering economic setbacks worse than the Great Recession, small businesses have been the most impacted sector of the pandemic. True to the Carlsbad sense of community, many companies and residents have stepped up to keep local businesses afloat. Viasat, a leading telecommunications company in Carlsbad, teamed up with American Express to help small businesses stay connected. Loyal customers, on the other hand, organized their own money-raising efforts through GoFundMe to help their favorite restaurants such as Casero Taqueria,Jeune et Jolie, and Campfire.
“We are proud of our community for rising to the occasion this holiday season and beyond,” said Matt Sanford, Economic Development Manager for the City of Carlsbad. “From shopping local to providing food and assistance for those in need, supporting our local businesses and community members is important. Small businesses are crucial to our city’s economic recovery, and they serve as the lifeblood of our communities. When you shop local, you keep small businesses open, your neighbors employed, and aid in our local economic recovery.”