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Giving Back John Kitchens ; 'Doing good is doing good business,' CSX envoy says [Florida Times Union](Florida Times Union Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) When people volunteer, they can change lives - including their own. Each week in Reason, we will highlight a volunteer's story of giving back and how that selfless act was a true revelation. The volunteer project is a collaboration among the Times-Union, the University of North Florida, the United Way of Northeast Florida and HandsOn Jacksonville. Ten years ago, John Kitchens was asked to help with a Habitat for Humanity event in South Florida. By participating, he realized the joy of helping one to build a better community for all. "During the key ceremony, everyone was in tears, it was very sentimental," he said. It was a feeling that led him to choose a career in which he could mobilize volunteers committed to making a difference. Kitchens is the corporate citizenship director at CSX and plays a large role in the company's outreach to the Northeast Florida community. His passion for the community combined with his interest in business led him to CSX. He valued the company's efforts to enhance communities and the environment. He was especially inspired by its active engagement with United Way of Northeast Florida. CSX is one of the nation's largest railroad transportation companies and is headquartered in Jacksonville. The Fortune 500 company has demonstrated its commitment to the community through its annual corporate and employee donations to United Way that have exceeded $1 million for six consecutive years. Kitchens spoke with pride about local schools and facilities that CSX volunteers have refurbished along with direct time spent mentoring students through Achievers For Life. "Over the course of a year, CSX volunteers came together at the Sanctuary on 8th Street on five occasions to help make the building something special for the kids who go there after school," Kitchens said. "On the final service day, the volunteers celebrated all the hard work with a barbecue picnic with the kids. It was so great to see lots of smiles that day." Since 2011, CSX has made a $39 million investment in communities across the nation. Pride in their efforts and knowing that the projects are sustainable and visible in the community for many years is what keeps employees of CSX engaged and coming back to do more. Rather than having employees spend time in office-centered team- building exercises, CSX is using service days in their company to help build that sense of camaraderie. "Doing good is doing good business," Kitchens said. "I get to help plan ways to do nice things." To see more of what CSX does around the nation, please visit BeyondtheRails.org.CHANGE A LIFE - AND YOURSIf you or your company would like to volunteer for the United Way's Achievers for Life program like John Kitchens and the CSX employees, contact Charis Scurry, manager of education strategies, at (904) 390-4004.Here are some other volunteer opportunities:- Help Club ARC for persons with special needs with a fun nightlife adventure opened to all adults over the age of 18 with a disability. Help with registration, bingo, DJ, set up and clean up from 5-8 p.m. Fridays. Details at www.handsonjacksonville.org.- Help Lutheran Social Services provide personal care packages for those who cannot afford to buy the products themselves. Volunteers collect a minimum of 15 personal hygiene items (per person). Items could include: soap, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, baby products, etc. You can fill out a volunteer application form at: bit.ly/1mujm9a.Check out more opportunities at www.handsonjacksonville.org and www.unitedwaynefl.org. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |