A Day of Giving Back
In one day, Woodsman helped provide 100 backpacks and 50 insulated water bottles to local children through two Northeast Florida community initiatives.
Some days remind us just how much can happen when local businesses and organizations come together for their community.
Recently, Woodsman Kitchens & Floors had the opportunity to be part of one of those days.
From our Jacksonville showroom in the morning to a Northeast Florida Builders Association event that evening, we helped provide a total of 100 backpacks and 50 insulated water bottles to support local children and students.
Both donations were made on behalf of Dinsmore Baptist Church and the Kruisin 4 Kidz Car Show, whose commitment to helping children in our community made the day possible.
Starting the Day at Woodsman
Our day began at the Woodsman showroom, where we welcomed Gage from Westside Dodge.
Gage stopped by to pick up 50 backpacks on behalf of Dinsmore Baptist Church and the Kruisin 4 Kidz Car Show. While he was here, he also had a chance to catch up with our President, Brad Mangold, before heading out with the backpacks.
Their destination was the Angels on Earth Triple Blessing Backpack Giveaway, an initiative supporting local children with backpacks and school essentials.
For a child getting ready for school, a new backpack may seem like a small thing. But having the supplies needed to walk into the classroom prepared can make a meaningful difference.
We were happy to help send 50 children into the school year with a backpack of their own.
The Giving Continued That Evening
Our involvement didn't end there.
Later that same evening, Woodsman had the opportunity to make a second donation during a Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) event.
This time, we donated another 50 backpacks along with 50 insulated water bottles, again on behalf of Dinsmore Baptist Church and the Kruisin 4 Kidz Car Show.
These items were donated to the Nassau County Schools' McKinney-Vento Program, which provides support to students experiencing homelessness.
By the end of the day, 100 backpacks and 50 insulated water bottles were on their way to children and students across our local community.
Supporting Nassau County Students
The McKinney-Vento Program serves an especially important role for students facing housing instability or homelessness.
For these students, challenges outside of school can make participating fully in the classroom more difficult. Programs like McKinney-Vento help address some of those barriers by connecting students with essential resources.
Support can include items and assistance such as backpacks, school supplies, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and transportation.
The goal is simple but important: help ensure students have what they need to participate in school and continue their education, regardless of their housing circumstances.
We were grateful for the opportunity to contribute practical items these students can use throughout their school day.
One Day, 100 Backpacks
By the time the day was over, the numbers told a pretty incredible story:
50 backpacks for the Angels on Earth Triple Blessing Backpack Giveaway.
50 backpacks and 50 insulated water bottles for the Nassau County Schools' McKinney-Vento Program.
That's a total of 100 backpacks and 50 insulated water bottles headed into our local community in a single day.
But the day wasn't really about the numbers.
It was about what those items represent for the children receiving them.
A backpack can mean having a dependable place for books, homework, school supplies, and personal belongings. A reusable insulated water bottle can become something a student carries to school every day.
They're simple, practical items that can help make everyday life a little easier.
Local Organizations Working Together
Neither donation happened because of one organization working alone.
That's one of the things we appreciated most about the day.
It brought together Dinsmore Baptist Church, the Kruisin 4 Kidz Car Show, Westside Dodge, Angels on Earth, Nassau County Schools, NEFBA, and Woodsman, with each playing a role in getting resources into the hands of local children.
Community involvement often works exactly like this.
A business provides resources. Someone else provides transportation. Another organization identifies a need. Volunteers organize distribution. Local partners help connect everyone.
Each contribution becomes part of something larger.
Proud to Call Northeast Florida Home
Woodsman has been part of Northeast Florida for more than 40 years.
Our showroom is in Jacksonville, but the communities we serve extend throughout the region, including Nassau County, Yulee, Fernandina Beach, St. Johns County, Clay County, and beyond.
Our employee-owners don't simply work here. We live here too.
That's one reason opportunities like this are meaningful to us.
As a 100% employee-owned local company, we're invested in Woodsman's future, but we're also invested in the future of the communities that have supported our company for more than four decades.
Thank You to Everyone Who Made It Possible
We're grateful to everyone who played a role in making this day happen.
Thank you to Dinsmore Baptist Church and the Kruisin 4 Kidz Car Show for allowing us to participate in their efforts.
Thank you to Gage and Westside Dodge for helping get the first 50 backpacks where they needed to go.
Thank you to the people behind the Angels on Earth Triple Blessing Backpack Giveaway for supporting local children.
And thank you to NEFBA and the Nassau County Schools' McKinney-Vento Program for giving us the opportunity to support students in Nassau County.
One day. Two opportunities to give back. One community we're incredibly proud to be part of.
We're thankful to everyone who helped make it possible.