Day in and day out, Brightwingers work on forging relationships to do what we do best: matching candidates with our clients. We take the time to understand what clients are looking for in job candidates and what job candidates are looking for in their next position. When the time is right, we match the two together.

There is one day a year, though, when we get to work for another worthy cause: feeding those in need.

For years, Brightwing has participated in a VTO (Volunteer Time Off) Day. On this day, all Brightwingers have the opportunity to work together for the same non-profit organization. As of late, Brightwing’s non-profit of choice has been Forgotten Harvest.

Year after year, we keep going back to Forgotten Harvest’s Farm in Fenton, Michigan to help harvest fruit and veggies and, ultimately, feed families in need.

Brightwing has found its annual VTO Day produces a host of benefits that go beyond simply working for a charitable cause:

Improved teamwork and collaboration

This year, Forgotten Harvest assigned Brightwing the task of picking poblano peppers. By the end of the day, after combing rows upon rows of plants, Brightwing’s harvest totaled 765 pounds.

We could not have done this without teamwork and communication. After all, one person can’t pick 765 pounds of poblano peppers in just a few short hours.

The coordination and collaboration needed to effectively and efficiently pick poblano peppers taught us lessons and strategies we will bring back to the office with us.

Stronger relationships between employees

A huge benefit of a VTO Day with Forgotten Harvest is the opportunity to get out of the office and into a different work environment. There’s a level of bonding that can occur when you’re not talking at a water cooler or over cubicle walls.

Perhaps it’s that being outside of the office leaves one more inclined to talk about topics other than work. VTO Days provide a wonderful opportunity for coworkers to get to know each other in a different way, outside of a working relationship.

Boosted morale and engagement

Volunteering is proven to have a positive impact on both mental and physical health. It helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety.

In our case, volunteering with Forgotten Harvest left our employees feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to go back to work.

If you’re looking to plan a VTO day for your company, we suggest searching for local non-profits that are looking for volunteers. It may also be worthwhile to ask around in your company to see if one of your employees is already a volunteer somewhere.

Looking to hire? Looking for a job? Contact us today!