While many people think of Marshalls as a place to score great deals, they also focus on giving back to organizations like the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. Recently, the Marshalls store in Compton offered a $400 shopping spree to one of the firefighters whom the fund supports.
Richard Pickett, the store manager at the Compton Marshalls, says that Marshalls is always looking for ways to help in the communities in which they have stores. “We would like to work in our neighborhood. We feel that being part of the neighborhood, we need to give back.”
Supporting the LAFD community is exactly the sort of support Marshalls looks to provide. “I’m in awe of the firefighters and how they put their lives on the line every day,” Richard shared. “I think they’re heroes.” This was their first contribution to Widows & Orphans.
A shopping spree like this can make a big difference for an LAFD family who is struggling. “The generosity of Marshall’s is incredible and does so much for a firefighter family in need. It helps them to afford items they normally would not be able to purchase, whether it’s clothing for the kids, or other household needs,” said Marlene Casillas, Development & Marketing Director for Widows & Orphans. “Even more exciting is the opportunity to go on a shopping spree; how fun to go aisle by aisle, choosing whatever you need!”
Beyond assisting firefighter families, Marshalls contributes to a variety of different charitable causes that help improve the community around them. The store in Compton has contributed to shelters for battered women, food banks, and the local soccer team. They have also provided similar shopping sprees to people coming out of job training so that they can purchase a business wardrobe.
It’s not just the corporate side of Marshalls that has a charitable bent. Richard says that the associates themselves used their own money to buy items for a toy drive during the recent holiday season. All in all, the Marshalls employees donated $2,000 in toys that went to needy families.
The charity’s leadership is grateful to Marshalls for contributing to Widows & Orphans and for its dedication to making the community a better place.
By Jody Houser