Everyone has their own approach to start the new year on the right foot. Some make new year’s resolutions, others book trips or declutter their desks. Here at Lemonly, a new year marks a new round of a beloved company tradition: the annual 3/2/1 donation. Because who doesn’t want to start 2018 with a warm heart?
It goes a little something like this: Each employee has the option to nominate a local charity, giving a short pitch on the organization and its impact. The previous year’s winning causes can’t be nominated again.
Once all the nominations are in, everyone has 24 hours to anonymously cast their three votes for the causes they most want Lemonly to support. They can put all three in for one nominee or spread them out betwixt a few.
Lemonly then gives $3,000 to the organization with the most votes, $2,000 to the second-most, and $1,000 to the third-most. The Lemonheads who nominated the top three causes get to drop the checks off themselves. It’s wonderful and beautiful and fun and exciting all at the same time.
The organizations we gave to for 2018 are:
$1,000
Brookings Humane Society
“I spent quite a bit of time at the Brookings Humane Society while attending SDSU. Late last year, I heard they were in need of support and in danger of having to close. There are lots of animal lovers at Lemonly, so I felt this was a great charity to nominate. We’re happy to be able to help the humane society continue to for animals and place them in loving homes.” – Allison
“Also, animals are neat.” – Molly
$2,000
Call to Freedom
“It’s easy to assume that human trafficking is only a problem in big cities or on the coasts, but in reality it happens right here in South Dakota. Call to Freedom is relatively new, but they’re already doing amazing work and helping trafficked women take their lives back.” – Maddie
“After speaking with director, Becky Rasmussen, we found out Lemonly’s donation was going toward finding professionals needed to counsel the survivors they work with, some of whom may not have even realized they were being trafficked. Women who have been trafficked since a very young age, where this life became their norm.” – Amberly
$3,000
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
“The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) is to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives. Funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment, and ensuring access to high-quality, specialized care. Our daughter, Reese, is one of the 30,000 people in the US and 70,000 people worldwide living with CF. We depend on and are extremely grateful for the CFF and their dedication for continued research for a better quality of life for Reese and everyone living with CF.” – Emily
See where our donations went last year.
Does your workplace do any end-of-year/start-of-year giving? We want to hear about it! Tweet us @Lemonly.
