THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Giving Back Starts with One Small Gesture
TONY BUTLER may be just a few months into his role as a transportation specialist at the Dallas service center, but he has already been involved in efforts to serve his local community. When the opportunity to get involved with a Team Up Community Challenge came his way, Tony jumped right in. He said the decision to help was a “no-brainer.” Why might someone who has been here less than seven months decide to participate so soon? Tony revealed it was because of his history with Averitt. His mother, Jaymie Hughes, worked at Averitt for over 10 years before she passed away from cancer in 2024. “I’d visit her when she was sick, and no matter when I came, someone from Averitt was there visiting too. Different people, every time. That told me everything I needed to know about the kind of culture here,” Tony says. That same sense of community is what Tony felt when he was invited to participate in his first Team Up for the Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth, TX. The day itself was hands-on and high-energy as the team sorted canned goods and packed meal kits for families in need. “It turned into a game,” Tony says with a laugh. “We were digging through these huge bins of canned goods trying to find the right mix of protein, fruits, veggies. It was like a scavenger hunt." What made the day the most fun was the camaraderie. Tony was glad to be together with team members, as they all rarely get to be in one place due to the nature of their roles. “Seeing everyone’s personalities come out and working together for a great cause was just fun. There’s nothing like it,” he explains. This Team Up project was organized and led by fellow transportation specialist DEBRA LEGATE , who has a long history of community involvement and a “let’s make it happen” mindset. When it came time to organize the event, Debra stepped up and got the ball rolling, an action that
directly inspired Tony to get involved. “She made it so easy to say yes,” Tony says. “Debra’s the type of person who makes you feel welcomed right away. You can tell she cares about the work, the people and the impact.” For Debra, organizing a Team Up event is just part of how she leads. “If you wait around for things to happen, they don’t happen. You’ve got to make them happen,” she says. “If you [serve your community] just once, you’ll see how much it blesses your heart. You’ll want to do it again.” That ripple effect is exactly what happened. “I’m already thinking about planning my own,” Tony says. “This first one was Debra’s, and I was just happy to show up and help. But I see how much good we can do and how much it brings people together. That’s something I want to keep being a part of.” When both were asked what they'd say to other associates who haven’t joined a Team Up event yet, they left us with a simple truth: “Just get out there and try something different, because it only helps.” Let Tony and Debra’s words encourage you to serve your local community. And remember, every hour given during a Team Up event results in a matching contribution to Averitt Charities . To learn more about how you can get involved, visit InsideAveritt.com/TeamUp . T m Pictured from left, Dallas associates SAM IBARRA, TONY BUTLER, DEBRA LEGATE, DAVID VANMETER and JERRY GOSSER recently participated in a Team Up Community Challenge event at the Tarrant Area Food Bank.
Teammates across our network are finding ways to serve, from clothing donations in Charlotte to a blood drive in Orlando and food donations in Tri-Cities.
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
CHARLOTTE
ORLANDO
TRI-CITIES
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE matters
vol. 5 2 0 2 5
10
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter