How River Region businesses are turning community service into a cornerstone of culture, connection and impact.
For many businesses, giving back is more than a philanthropic initiative. It is an extension of who they are. Across the River Region, companies are finding that volunteerism can strengthen communities while also building stronger teams, deepening relationships and reinforcing the values that guide their work. Whether through dedicated service days, nonprofit partnerships, employee volunteer programs or giving built directly into a business model, organizations like Goodwyn Mills Cawood, MAX Credit Union and First Call Realty are demonstrating that serving others can create a lasting impact far beyond the workplace.
Building Communities Through Service
For Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), volunteerism is deeply connected to the company’s mission. As GMC’s Regional Vice President of South Alabama, Cedric Campbell said the firm has long viewed community service as part of its responsibility to the places it calls home.
“At Goodwyn Mills Cawood, we live by our mission of ‘building communities.’ We exist to positively impact communities across the Southeast through architecture and engineering. Here in the River Region, we’ve had the opportunity to learn from George Goodwyn firsthand on the importance of giving back to the places we call home. This is the example set by him and so many others before us throughout our nearly 80-year history as a company, and we strive to continue to build on that legacy.”
That commitment is reflected in GMC’s annual Building Communities Day of Service, when employees across the Southeast volunteer with organizations that
matter to them. Projects may include cleaning parks, volunteering at food banks or completing improvement projects at local schools. The company’s FirstFruits initiative also provides employees with opportunities to support nonprofits through monetary funding based on their level of involvement.
“Volunteering and serving others is part of who we are,” Campbell said. “It’s a part of turning our values of care and integrity into visible and physical action and keeping people at the center of everything we do.”
Bringing a Service Mindset to Daily Work
For MAX Credit Union, volunteerism is tied to the organization’s core philosophy of “people helping people.” Carrie Rauch, Director of Communications and Brand Engagement for MAX Credit Union and President of the MAX4Kids Foundation, said service gives employees an opportunity to bring that philosophy to life beyond their daily work.
“Volunteerism is a meaningful part of our corporate culture. It reflects who we are as an organization: people helping people, and gives our team members
the opportunity to live that mission beyond the workplace.”
MAX encourages participation by making volunteer opportunities accessible, meaningful and connected to its mission. Leadership support, flexible ways to
serve and recognition all play a role, while eligible volunteer events may also qualify for Volunteer Time Off. The impact can be felt within the organization as well as throughout the community.
“Volunteerism has a meaningful impact on employees by helping them feel more connected to their coworkers, and the communities they serve. It allows team members to put the credit union philosophy of people helping people into action and see how their efforts create real value.”
Giving Built into the Business Model
At First Call Realty, Owner Lyle Wilks has integrated giving directly into the company’s business model. The real estate firm makes a financial donation to the Heart of Alabama Food Bank on behalf of clients with every transaction it closes. Employees also volunteer at the food bank at least once per quarter and participate in food drives and other events throughout the year.
“We’re in the people business, and volunteerism is simply serving people, so for us, it isn’t an extra. It’s the foundation everything else is built on,” Wilks said. “We don’t have a business without this community, and volunteering is how we give back to the people who support us. The way I see it: the more you’ve been blessed, the more you should bless others.”
That philosophy has become part of First Call’s identity and has influenced the company’s ability to attract employees. Wilks said many agents have chosen to
join the company in part because of its commitment to community involvement.
“A lot of companies say they give back; we let our actions make it undeniable,” he said. “What I do focus on is making sure everyone understands the why: we’ve been blessed to help people make the most important moves of their lives in this community, and we owe it to that community to give back. When the why is clear, participation takes care of itself.”
Seeing the Impact
For all three organizations, the value of volunteerism extends beyond the number of hours served or projects completed. It creates opportunities for employees to connect with one another and experience the impact of their work firsthand.
At First Call Realty, Wilks has seen that impact after employees volunteered at a food pantry in Elmore County.
“The biggest impact is that our agents see the difference they’re making with their own eyes,” Wilks said. “Stepping into that environment and seeing the joy and gratitude on the faces of the families they were serving made all the difference in the world. And when people see the results of their giving, they want to give more.”
For GMC, volunteering provides employees with an opportunity to step outside the office and work together toward a common goal.
“It’s always great to get out of the office and give back in a tangible way,” Campbell said. “Anytime we volunteer, it’s impactful to serve, but it’s also so enjoyable for our team to connect with each other outside of the office.”
MAX also sees volunteerism as a way to strengthen employee engagement and organizational pride.
“When employees serve together, they build relationships, strengthen trust and foster teamwork across branches, departments and markets,” Rauch said. “These experiences can increase the pride team members have in MAX by showing the organization’s commitment to making a positive local impact.
A Business Benefit and a Community Cycle
Community connection can also benefit businesses by building trust, increasing visibility and deepening relationships. MAX views volunteerism as another way to demonstrate its investment in the people and communities it serves.
“Through volunteerism, sponsorships, financial education and local partnerships, we show that MAX is invested in people, not just products and services,” Rauch said.
Finding the Right Partners
Choosing the right nonprofit partners is key to creating sustainable impact. GMC often develops relationships through employees who have personal connections to causes, while MAX looks for organizations that align with its mission, values and community priorities. First Call Realty seeks organizations that are committed to their missions and capable of creating meaningful impact.
For Campbell, strong partnerships begin with shared values. “As with any partnership, being on the same page and sharing the same values or mission is imperative. Strong leadership is critical as well. You want to know that the organization you’re supporting is being led in the right direction and having a lasting impact.”
