Service has been a core component of Carolina Handling’s culture since the company was founded in 1966. Making service an intentional part of our day, we believe, helps ensure that we are responding promptly and efficiently to our customers and giving back in meaningful ways to the communities where we work and live.

Philanthropy is a fundamental ingredient at every Carolina Handling event. From toy drives, bicycle assemblies and charity rides to making monetary donations to nonprofit organizations throughout our territory, our associates always are ready and eager to help.

This year, Carolina Handling has designated children with chronic or terminal illness as the primary focus of the company’s philanthropic efforts. This new initiative was launched during a company-wide fiscal year kickoff event in April where associates participated in a Pies for a Purpose Fundraiser benefiting Ronald McDonald Charities.

Associates bought 2,552 pies at $5 each to toss at their manager and other company leaders, raising $12,760. A dollar-for-dollar company match brought the donation total to $25,520. These funds are benefiting the Adopt-A-Room program at Ronald McDonald Houses in Charlotte, NC; Greenville, SC; Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Durham, NC, and Winston-Salem, NC—giving families whose children are in critical care at nearby hospitals a place to stay with all the comforts of home.

One of those nearby hospitals is Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Greenville, SC. The region's only pediatric hospital recognized by the Children’s Hospital Association, Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Upstate treats 500,000 infants, children and adolescents each year.

The hospital promotes care for patients and their families that personalizes, humanizes and demystifies the healthcare experience. It also stages events aimed at keeping children safe, healthy and out of the hospital.

During our recent Service Summit—attended by nearly 100 Carolina Handling service technicians and team leaders—our charitable giving included Prisma Children’s Hospital programs for in-patient and preventive care. During the two-day summit, associates filled 200 care bags with teddy bears, coloring books, crayons and Carolina Handling stress reliever trucks.

“Children who are in the hospital are scared, out of their normal routine and missing out on the joys of a normal life,” said Joe Perkins, Carolina Handling Executive Vice President, Operations. “We hope that each time these children hold the Carolina Handling teddy bear or squeeze the Carolina Handling stress truck, they’ll remember that we’re thinking about them and wishing them the very best.”

Service Summit attendees also collected 6,600 diapers to benefit the hospital’s May diaper distribution event in Laurens County, SC. Held quarterly, these events help families who need assistance maintaining an adequate supply of diapers.

According to a study by Yale University’s School of Medicine, diaper shortages have been directly linked to child abuse. Babies with diaper rash cry more and bond less. Crying adds to parents’ stress and increases the likelihood of abuse.

The study also found that women who lack an adequate supply of diapers for their babies are more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety. Maternal depression and mental health problems, researchers say, can have long-term and debilitating effects on children’s well-being and their performance in school.

“Opportunities like this to pour resources back into our community are really special for Carolina Handling,” Perkins said. “It’s what make us an elite serving organization.”

But perhaps the most special part of the Service Summit philanthropy was the opportunity to visit the Prisma campus to present the in-kind donations, along with a check for $10,000 to benefit the hospital’s child life program.

About 100 Carolina Handling associates—some dressed as superheroes and others holding signs of encouragement—gathered in front of Prisma Children’s Hospital to cheer and wave to little patients, their families and healthcare providers watching from hospital windows above.

“There are many times that our associates assemble bikes, hold toy drives and make monetary contributions, but they rarely get to see where their donations are going,” Perkins said. “We want to thank Prisma for allowing us to come to the hospital campus and to meet the partners of such a great organization in the Greenville community.”