Assisted Living Services’ $2,000 Donation to Food Pantry Tops a Year of Giving Back

In a year when businesses and families are facing financial hardships, Assisted Living Services, Inc. presented a $2,000 check to the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, Inc. on Thursday, December 17, 2020 in Cheshire, Connecticut. The donation was generated from the home care provider’s “Jeans for a Cause” company initiative. Each year, employees give $1 on Fridays when they choose to wear jeans to work. ALS then matches the total contribution and gives the proceeds to a local cause.
 
“We chose the Cheshire Food Pantry as our designated charity based on rising food insecurity in our town triggered by high unemployment rates,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA and Chief Operating Officer of ALS. “According to the Food Pantry, 20% of Cheshire residents or over 1,900 households are ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. That means they are above the Federal Poverty Level but below a basic cost of living threshold.”
 
The contribution to the food pantry capped off a year of charitable giving by the compassionate corporate citizen.
ALS donated $1000 to The Child Guidance Clinic For Central Connecticut, Inc. (CGC). “Each year we participate in CGC’s Holiday Giving Program, where gifts are purchased by our office employees for children in need,” explained D’Aquila. “For many years, we have also supported the organization’s various other events and fundraisers.” The nonprofit Child Guidance Clinic provides comprehensive mental health evaluation and treatment, crisis intervention and outreach services to children, adolescents and their families in the greater Meriden Connecticut area.
 
D’Aquila notes that while ALS supports local organizations, the family-owned agency truly believes that charity begins at home. ALS awarded an astounding $60,000 in employee bonuses this year through its industry-leading Platinum Caregiver and Home Care Hero Award Programs. The monthly Platinum Caregiver Award program launched in 2019 awards $5,000 to a stellar caregiver who has exceeded expectations for quality care. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, as the Homecare Hero Award in order to recognize more outstanding employees.
 
“I am extremely proud of how our employees rallied together this year to not only keep our clients safe and healthy at home, but to assist our neighbors in need,” said D’Aquila. “I am humbled by their generosity as the pandemic created unimaginable professional and personal challenges.”
 
Additionally, ALS is encouraging others to help those in need by sharing a list of affordable gifts that give back to worthy causes in its recent company newsletter. The article shares “As a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans have lost their jobs, forcing them to go without the essentials needed to survive. So why not put your money toward a present that brings joy to the recipient and helps a cause?” 
 
“We received a lot of positive feedback about the gift list as people are looking for little ways that they can make a difference,” said D’Aquila. “We’re happy to give back to our communities in any way that we can while showing appreciation for our extraordinary staff members.”
 
About Assisted Living Services, Inc.
Since 1996, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. in Cheshire with branch locations in Clinton and Fairfield has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Their award-winning CarePlus program blends personal care with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203.634.8668.
 
PHOTO: The team from Assisted Living Services Inc. presents a $2000 donation to the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, Inc. in Cheshire, Conn. on Thursday, December 17, 2020. From left Mario DAquila, chief operating officer; Sharon DAquila, co-founder and Kerry Walsh, executive director of CCFP.  Photo Courtesy of Assisted Living Services, Inc.
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Submitted by Hartford, CT

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