Giving back has long been part of the culture at Holmes Corporation. Throughout the year, our employees have partnered with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Tree Trust, the National MS Society, and YMCA Camp St. Croix, taking part in projects ranging from building homes and planting trees to gardening, improving community spaces, and supporting local events.
This month, we built on that tradition with a new approach: our very first HC Day of Service in partnership with Hospitality House. The company-sponsored volunteer day was dedicated to serving our community, connecting with students, and working together as a team. By setting aside dedicated volunteer time during the workday, we gave more employees the opportunity to participate together than ever before. With 39 employees volunteering in person and four additional team members giving back remotely in their own communities, HC Day of Service made it easier for our team to step away from their desks and give back together.
Together, our team spent the morning with approximately 40 students, ages 10 to 12, exploring career opportunities before rolling up our sleeves in the afternoon to refresh Hospitality House’s outdoor spaces. Both experiences reflected what HC Day of Service is all about: learning, connection, and giving back.
The morning began with a Mock Job Fair for Hospitality House students. Designed to introduce young learners to a wide variety of career paths, the event gave students the opportunity to explore careers they may never have considered while building confidence in a fun, supportive environment.
Instead of simply talking about our work, each department created an interactive activity that gave students a chance to experience it firsthand. Through hands-on challenges and real-world scenarios, they discovered the skills behind different careers while asking thoughtful questions and exploring what interested them most.
Watching the students move from table to table was one of the highlights of the morning. They asked thoughtful questions, embraced each challenge, and weren’t afraid to have fun along the way. At the marketing table, students practiced tailoring their message to different audiences, even pitching ice cream to pirates, complete with enthusiastic pirate voices. Another student proudly announced that Josh Slayton, CEO of Holmes Corporation, had “hired” him after completing an activity, a moment that brought plenty of smiles. As the morning went on, it was easy to see their confidence grow as they began connecting their own strengths and interests with future career possibilities.
The event also gave our own team a fresh perspective. Every employee had the opportunity to share what makes their role unique and why their work matters. While it’s easy to become focused on deadlines, projects and daily responsibilities, spending time with these students reminded us why we enjoy what we do. It was a reminder that every department contributes something valuable and that our greatest strength comes from bringing together different perspectives, skills, and experiences to accomplish a common goal.
After the Mock Job Fair wrapped up, we traded career conversations for gardening gloves. We returned to Hospitality House to help care for the organization’s outdoor spaces by weeding, laying tarp, mowing, and refreshing the gardens. Working side by side, we were able to make an immediate impact while helping create a welcoming environment for the individuals and families Hospitality House serves every day.
Whether we were helping students imagine future careers or weeding the garden outside Hospitality House, every part of the day was centered on people. It was a reminder that giving back doesn’t always mean doing something extraordinary. Sometimes it means sharing your time, your knowledge, and your willingness to help.
As Holmes Corporation looks ahead, we’re excited to continue making HC Day of Service a twice-yearly tradition, strengthening our community partnerships and creating more opportunities for our team to make a meaningful impact together.
