Employee & Community Engagement—2025
- J.Anthony Tedpahogo
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Long Beach Office Creates Joy Jars for Jessie Rees Foundation
Manson’s Long Beach team participated in Manson’s Employee & Community Engagement (“ECE”) program last month, joining forces with the Jessie Rees Foundation to assemble Joy Jars.
Jessie Rees, an inspiring 11-year-old who battled an inoperable and untreatable form of brain cancer, created the concept of Joy Jars. Her mission was simple yet powerful: to encourage children fighting cancer to Never Ever Give Up (“NEGU”)—a message that became the foundation’s rallying cry.
Joy Jars are filled with quality toys and engaging activities, thoughtfully arranged in clear jars so that every item is visible and no tags are showing, just as Jessie envisioned—clean, consistent, and always in a positive view. These jars are delivered to children in hospitals across the country, bringing moments of joy and hope during difficult times.
Although Jessie passed away on January 5, 2012, her legacy continues through the generosity of donors and volunteers. At this event, Manson employees came together at various stations—each dedicated to a specific age group—to fill the jars. Once completed, the jars were packaged for immediate shipment to hospitals nationwide. Employees also wrote heartfelt care cards with words of encouragement for the brave children receiving them.
It was a meaningful event with a fantastic turnout, reflecting the spirit of compassion and community.
Pier Romeo Team Builds Oyster Mats to Restore Reefs
In October, Manson’s Pier Romeo Team partnered with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (“SCDNR”) to support their South Carolina Oyster Recycling & Enhancement (“SCORE”) Program. This impactful initiative transforms discarded oyster shells, collected from restaurants across the state, into oyster mats that help restore vital oyster reefs.
These reefs play a critical role in protecting our coastal ecosystems by reducing erosion, improving water quality, and supporting saltwater marsh health
Each oyster mat can house up to 7,000 juvenile oysters, filtering two gallons of water per hour per oyster.
In just three hours, the Pier Romeo Team assisted in building 93 oyster mats, a new SCDNR record! This effort will support approximately 651,000 oysters, capable of filtering over 1.3 million gallons of water per hour.
Way to go, Pier Romeo Team!
Jax Office Builds Housing with Beaches Habitat for Humanity
Employees from Manson’s Jacksonville office participated in a team-building event with the Beaches Habitat for Humanity in October.
The project involved the construction of affordable housing for the Coastal Haven Community located at nearby Atlantic Beach, FL. The program will build 44 townhomes. The first home built will be given to a U.S. military veteran.
The team started the day out with a safety briefing before beginning to take measurements to install framing and fireproof walls and moving supplies throughout the project site. After a fun day helping the community, the event concluded with a picnic lunch at a nearby park.
Richmond Office Creates Comfort & Care Kits
Manson’s Richmond team showed community spirit by donating Comfort & Care Kits to families staying in hospitals, supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A group of 27 Richmond employees assembled a total of 300 Comfort & Care Kits—150 snack bags and 150 toiletry bags—to bring comfort and support to families at hospitals in Stanford, San Francisco, and Oakland, CA.
PNW Team Creates Care Kits for Ronald McDonald House Charities
In November, Pacific Northwest employees teamed up with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska to assemble Care Kits for families attending medical appointments.
Dozens of employees gathered at the Manson-Michels Joint Venture office to pack kits filled with snacks, water, and art supplies, intended to bring comfort to families during a tough time. In a room filled with jokes and laughter, the group created 1,000 Care Kits.
“This event is more than just assembling kits; it’s about uniting to bring hope and relief to others,” says Northwest Office Manager Melanie Erdman. “It reflects our values and the power of kindness.”
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