The Giving Program
We want to hear your thoughts on how to help the world thrive
How the Giving Program Works
Your Ideas
Tell us how Wilbur-Ellis can continue growing, innovating, giving and evolving
Support
For each response, Wilbur-Ellis will make a donation to the Red Cross
Giving More
Help grow our contribution by answering new questions every month
October's Question
One of the themes of the company’s 100th anniversary Giving Program is “100 years and innovating.”
Over the past several months, the pandemic has caused us to become more innovative in how we work and play. With that in mind we’d love to hear how you’ve adapted and your thoughts on the following questions:
When it comes to work, how are you working differently than you did before? What do you like about the new way of working — and what do you miss about the way your work environment used to be?
When it comes to how we play, how are you staying fit and having fun — while protecting your health and the health of others?
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2020
Submit your response
Tip for answering
When it comes to work, have Teams, Zoom or other technologies become essential tools for communicating? How are you collaborating or socializing with coworkers? Have you found new ways to safely connect with customers?
When it comes to how we play, are you finding new ways to exercise? How are you staying in touch with friends and extended family? Have you found new forms of entertainment (pay-for-view, etc.)? Are you doing more home improvement projects? Have you taken up a new hobby?
Send us a video or photo
Remember to send us a photo or video to accompany your submission.
Instruction video
Visit the Giving Program Overview page to watch a video that walks you through the submission process.
October Submission Highlights
When it comes to work, how are you working differently than you did before? What do you like about the new way of working — and what do you miss about the way your work environment used to be?
When it comes to how we play, how are you staying fit and having fun — while protecting your health and the health of others?
Jeff Hershberger, United States (Agribusiness)
I attended the Swine competition at the 2020 Big Fresno Fair. The picture is my son showing his Duroc. This year, instead of having multiple species in the barn at the fair for a week, only a single species was present, and only for a day. This put additional stress on the animals, the kids and the organizers of the event. Further, each participant was only permitted two guests and the general public was not permitted, so there was a much smaller crowd. It was sad that the kids missed out on the week-long roster of activity in which they usually participate. However, it was encouraging to see the support of the community in moving ahead with this event to keep some normality in life.
The Corona virus has accelerated the pace of technology integrating into our society. The use of TEAMS has made collaborating from home much easier. I do not miss the morning commute, but I do miss the random cross-functional interaction.
Fitness became a priority in my life prior to the pandemic, so I have continued my morning routines: the extremely poor air quality in California has a greater impact on that.
Personal life has become more scripted and less impulsive.
Worship in my Church is happening via Zoom, so it is less personal, but there has been an incredible opportunity to hear speakers from around the world that would otherwise be impossible.
We can gripe at the lemons we have been given from the pandemic, but it is better to enjoy the lemon juice that can be made.
Smita Shetty, India (Connell)
In the pandemic, first few days were very confusing- there was no clear line of separation in work & personal lifetime. Then as a family we decided to follow a regimen.
a) As we are saving our travel time – we took out time and did a yoga routine -30 mins each morning & evening.
b) We followed the same cooking & eating routine as our office days.
c) One more idea which helped us was dressing up for office time in semi-formals or formals and then changing after work hours. That really helps to switch.
d) Switching rooms after work hours also helps – for example, we set up our workstations in the living area and then after work moved to another room/area so that it helps switch thoughts.
Kaylee Norris, United States (Nutrition)
Like a lot of non-essential workers, I am working from home. Which means ALL my meetings and work conversations take place over Teams now. I just recently got my computer set up to be able to use video in meetings, so I am hoping to have some “face-to-face” conversations soon. I now share an office with my 14-year-old, which gives us an opportunity to pause and connect throughout the day. While it is nice to still have someone to talk to, I miss all my coworkers! Things like coffee breaks, walks along the river, checking in on each other during personal struggles, just can’t be replicated in a remote work environment. Also, I feel working remotely changes the office dynamic and makes it harder to share ideas, but being able to do a quick chat on Teams helps.
Usually, our free time is spent hanging out with extended family and a few close friends, but since that isn’t an option, we have been taking a lot of hikes. We have over 20 miles of forested trails right behind our house! It has been a lot of fun discovering different paths and seeing the different lakes, waterfalls and creeks hidden in the woods. During the week, I try to get up and walk around my neighborhood a couple of times a day, even if it’s only for 10 minutes, it feels good to get some fresh air!
Peggy Saling, United States (Nutrition)
One way we are doing things different is coming in just one door and wearing a mask. We are also having temperatures taken before entering the plant. We are limiting the number of people who share an office. We are social distancing as much as possible by splitting breaks and lunches, so not everyone goes at the same time. We are also having visitors or contractors wear masks.
We are not letting truck drivers into the building. We meet them at the door then go out and give them the paperwork when they are loaded. We have meetings on teams instead of all being in an office. What I miss about the old way is not much, just not having to wear masks and getting temps taken. The new normal just takes some getting used to. The staying healthy and fit part is just not getting in a crowd. Just do it with family.
Holly Hambruch, United States (Agribusiness)
Work has not changed much for me as I don’t have the ability to work from home during our peak season. One way that it has changed is that we no longer have people coming into the office so all of my interaction is through a window which has been nice. That way I am still getting interaction with people; but at a safe distance. I do miss the days of customers just walking in and grabbing a bottle of water or a snack. Instead of visiting a gym; we are just doing more outdoor activities at home…lots of walks with the dogs so it’s been very good for them.
Helping the Red Cross in the U.S., Canada and Globally
United States: Through our 100th Anniversary Giving Program, Wilbur-Ellis is supporting the American Red Cross in the United States.
Globally: To assist those in Asia-Pacific, Giving Program donations will benefit the International Services division of the American Red Cross, which helps victims of countless crises around the world through immediate and long-term support, including supplies, technical assistance and other assistance.
Canada: Our Giving Program also will assist the Canadian Red Cross with the work they do throughout that country.