Giving back has always been part of the heartbeat of IMG. Three years ago, IMG launched “Project IMpact,” a program dedicated to serving non-profit organizations in our communities. Typically during the Fall, our team of employees breaks into groups over a two week time period, volunteering to help support the needs of those organizations. This year, we were so excited to ADD a Project Impact for Spring 2020. But right as we were getting all the details into place, COVID-19 changed everything…for everyone. As the landscape changed all around us for how we worked- how we lived- how we approached nearly everything- we were discouraged and left without a plan on how we would be able to step in and still make an impact.

After some time went by, we saw companies, groups, friends, and neighbors, coming together, adapting in different, creative ways to make things work! All we needed was a little inspiration and we realized that we could do “Project IMpact” – it would just have to have a little different spin! This Spring, we made it our mission to promote our local, non-profit organizations online and help tell the stories that they wanted told. Stories bring us together. Throughout these uncertain times, it has been stories of courage, strength, kindness, sacrifice, and inspiration that have made us stronger and willed us to keep going. Stories are reminders that we all have a lot more in common than we think. When we stopped to remember that, we realized this is our “IMpact” opportunity.

We reached out to a few different organizations in our community to send us pictures, videos and any information that would help tell their stories. By our sharing it, we hoped that it would reach a broader audience, and add that much more awareness to all of the good things happening and ways people can help out and plug in to those missions.

To highlight some of our posts, we’ve had the privilege to share:

• Cancer Services of Grant County, holding their annual Walk of Hope, even while having to adapt and move to a completely virtual platform.
• Carey Services, Inc. and the recognition of all the hard work and sacrifices made by their Direct Support Professionals.
• Gilead Ministries and how they have partnered with nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide residents with homemade cards and treats to lift their spirits.
• And the Marion-Grant County Humane Society and the labor of love that goes into caring for the animals who are longing for their “fur”ever home.

These are just four examples of dynamic non-profit organizations in our community that are making a difference every single day. We encourage you to scroll through our Facebook page to check out their stories, and even more, please visit their websites or social media pages to fully appreciate the “IMpact” they have and continue to make.

“The fruit of LOVE is SERVICE, which is COMPASSION in ACTION.”
-Mother Theresa