Earlier this month, Town & Country Movers was honored to participate in the Fairfax County Holiday Spirit Campaign! The campaign, which started a partnership with Long and Foster in 2006, provides toys and other items for underprivileged children in Fairfax County.
A big part of the campaigns success is due to the incredible efforts of top agent Beckie Owens. Owens, who married a Marine in 1975, has always participated in Toy’s for Tots. In 1996, a coworker of Owens asked if she’d be willing to donate a couple of the toys to this other organization, one that runs through the county. “I just fell in love with the program”, says Beckie after learning more about the Fairfax County Holiday Spirit Campaign. For the next 10 years, Beckie, while still supporting Toys for Tots would also provide toys and necessities for the county. But in 2006, with the help of Long and Foster, Beckie took her operation to the next level.
After joining L&F in 2005, Owens pitched the idea of creating a platform for Long & Foster employees to get involved. Without hesitation, the company agreed. During the following holiday season, Beckie hosted a breakfast for agents and vendors with the cost of admission being 1 toy. “The support was tremendous!” says Owens looking back to that first breakfast. Soon enough the operation, which began as just an SUV full of toys needed a bigger sleigh… In 2012, Town & Country Movers was proud to play the part of Santa’s Sleigh, donating a truck each year to transport the bags of toys to the Department of Family Services.
While the focus on holiday giving tends to favor toys and other sources of entertainment, the reality is these children also need life’s necessities. “These kids have nothing, things like tooth brushes, tooth paste, clothes and even cribs are absolutely essential in the well-being of these children, and it’s up to us to help in providing them.” Every year, Beckie takes the funds raised and spends a day at the local Wal-Mart hand picking toys, clothes, and toiletries.
And the generosity is contagious; on her most recent trip, a women handed Owens a $20 bill and asked to “pick out something for a girl.”
On behalf of Town & Country Movers, we’d like to thank Beckie, the Holiday Spirit Campaign, as well as Long & Fosters for their incredible generosity. We are extremely proud to be a part of such a great cause! Happy Holidays to all!!