For many employees, one of the greatest rewards of the work we do at Strategic Media, Inc. is that it enables us to give back. For over two decades, CEO Jeff Small has made it a priority to help those in need, contributing regularly to causes that are important to him and his employees. “I feel that we have a responsibility to give back,” Jeff says. “Our business and our families rely on this community, and by giving back to others that need support, it gives me and our staff purpose beyond the daily responsibilities of our job.”
Brandon Moody, Accounts Payable, agrees. “At SMI, we believe that being part of a business means contributing to something greater than ourselves. Supporting programs like Toys for Tots is an honor and reflects our commitment to giving back to those in need. Generosity and community impact are core to who we are, and we take pride in using our success to help others.”
This year, SMI’s donations to Farms for Food Equity and Toys for Tots will help relieve food insecurity and support families during the holiday season. As an added bonus, Jeff’s unique approach to giving fosters camaraderie and joy among employees.
During the holidays, team members are invited to participate in a group shopping spree for Toys for Tots, subsidized by SMI. “Toys for Tots shopping is a fun annual tradition,” says Vice President and Chief Client Officer Christina Baeten. “Employees each donate an unwrapped toy or gift, and SMI funds a shopping spree that gets everyone in the holiday spirit of giving back to our community.”
The annual tradition began in 2013. Jeff recalls, “The first year I did it, I went to ToysRUs by myself and loaded up the back of my Jeep. It was a really great feeling to get to shop on behalf of kids of families that might not otherwise receive gifts during the holidays. After the first year, I wanted the SMI team to have the same opportunity to go out and personally choose gifts for children, knowing that what they find will put smiles on many young faces on Christmas morning..”
It’s an experience his employees deeply appreciate. “I love it,” says Traffic Director Matt Perkins. “I’ve got three kids, and I’m a 48-year-old kid, so I like going shopping for toys and all that fun stuff. It’s awesome that we have the opportunity to do it.” This year, Matt went with a group to two local, independent toy stores to support the local economy as well.
“We picked out a lot of arts and crafts,” says Intern Audrey Small. “I went for a lot of the fidget toys and slime, because I know kids love that now. It was really cute. I know it’s a special time for kids, and I remember being so excited to see what came from Santa when I was younger. So if I can help create those memories for kids, I wanted to do that.”
In addition to Toys for Tots, SMI donated $5,000 on behalf of our clients to Farms for Food Equity, which will provide 10,000 meals to those in need.
For Audrey, who graduated with a degree in Food Studies and managed Syracuse University’s food pantry, donating to Farms for Food Equity was particularly important. “Farms for Food Equity is a nonprofit that funds local farms in Maine by taking their surplus of produce every year and getting it to different food banks and pantries and shelters across the state,” she says. “It’s not only combatting food waste, which is a big issue—all of these farmers have perfectly edible but sometimes non-aesthetic produce that they can’t sell, but it’s completely edible and fresh and healthy. So we’re able to take that extra produce and combat food insecurity, but also support farms and local farm viability. We thought it was a perfect organization to support.”
The tradition of giving back is one SMI plans to continue for years to come. “There are countless organizations that do amazing things to support people within the communities they serve,” says Jeff. “By doing a little, it can make a difference for so many.”