CanopyNation team members embody our firm’s core values in their everyday practice — people first, accountable, can-do will-do minded, transparent and teamwork. There’s a reason why we put “people first,” well, first. Serving others is the impetus of why we do what we do. During this season of giving, our team members have been active in giving back to their communities and helping people through not only their risk management expertise, but also service.
Here are a few organizations that we as a firm have had the pleasure to support over the past year.
- The Madonna Learning Center in Memphis empowers children and adults with special needs to reach their full potential while offering support to their families. Over the past year, CanopyNation has proudly sponsored several events hosted by the organization, including its annual golf scramble in October and Christmas play. Kimberly Smith and Ashley Shipp in our Memphis office also volunteered on-site during the golf tournament, and other team members played on a team. Throughout the year, several team members volunteered multiple hours at the Bluff City Toffee retail shop, which is owned and operated by the Madonna Learning Center.
- The Lighthouse Foundation in Corinth is dedicated to equipping tomorrow’s leaders and dreamers with the tools and educational resources through tutoring, camps and other outreach efforts. CanopyNation has repeatedly sponsored the Lighthouse Toy Store, which has donated toys and made Christmas possible for thousands of Mississippi families. Lauren Butler in our Corinth office also volunteers her time each year to work at the Toy Store.
- Mental Health & Developmental Services serves hundreds of adults across West Tennessee with intellectual and physical disabilities. The organization helps them live enriching, fulfilling lives, while also providing them with a community rich in relationships. Christy Kelley and Ashley Sauer in our Jackson office volunteered their time to set up for its successful golf tournament this past October.
Our staff is also involved in several organizations that are personally important to them.
- Sheridan Hibbard – “In my home city of Memphis, there are dozens of charities and nonprofits that stand out and do great work. We have St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Le Bonheur, Church Health and Madonna Learning Center, just to mention a few. I would like to shed light on two lesser known but greatly impactful organizations whose humble service has made a difference in their communities – Nathan Street Ministries and Las Americas Memphis. Both have provided lasting impact on youth among minority communities in Memphis. Club Nathan aims to provide a safe haven for youth in Binghampton through food, fellowship and activities. Through a variety of resources, Las Americas Memphis has supported young Latino immigrants with opportunities to transition into our community, stay on track with their education, cultivate relationships and achieve long-term success in the States.”
- Jesse Milnor – “Two groups in Central Mississippi that I have worked with recently are The Little Lighthouse and Magnolia Recovery & Wellness Foundation. Little Lighthouse is a nonprofit school for children up to age 6 with severe medical/physical disabilities, which receives no government funding and relies solely on charitable donations. Their work is personally important to me because my son, Aidan, was once a student there. I’m proud to have served on the school’s board for nearly a decade. I recently began supporting MRWF in the past year through my family foundation, after being introduced to the organization by a close friend who is the president of the board. The organization has provided the necessary support and resources for individuals struggling with substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders and mental health challenges.”
We hope our commitment to service can shed some inspiration to others to give back to their communities. As we are amid the holiday season, now is the perfect time to consider ways to rally your team next year to volunteer for a cause that’s important to them.