The life of a business owner can be hectic:  meeting the needs of customers, keeping up with demand and finding sustainable ways to grow are just a few of the daily hurdles we encounter. That is partially why the last 10 years have passed at a speed I never could have imagined.

Another explanation is the people I work with and provide services to are extremely pleasant to work with and fun to be around. For this and many other reasons, I could not imagine a better way to celebrate our 10th anniversary than by giving back to the communities we know and love.

A charitable organization that has been near and dear to our hearts for many years is the Wilmington-Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM). My husband Devin and I started volunteering with them in 2018 and have thoroughly enjoyed our experiences helping repair the damaged homes of low income and elderly residents.

These experiences, along with the fact that giving back simply feels good, led me to serve on the board of directors for WARM, and it has been a substantial motivator in having our entire company volunteer twice a year. It’s amazing to see the impact our team can have in a short time, as they are all very handy and hard-working. Some highlights of our time supporting this wonderful organization include building wheelchair ramps, repairing bathrooms and flooring, and replacing a front porch.

I truly believe that giving back helps the giver more than the receiver sometimes, and go figure that numerous studies support this idea. A few examples include a 2006 study by Jorge Moll, in which he and his colleagues at the NIH found that giving to charities activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connections and trust. Another study published by Michael Norton and his colleagues at Harvard’s Business School found that giving money to others lifted the spirits of the giver more than spending it on themselves.

That is a bit off topic, of course, and there is certainly no need to provide a justification for giving back, but it is interesting nonetheless.

Ducks Unlimited is another cause we are passionate about supporting. A private nonprofit with a successful track record spanning 80 years, its mission is to help waterfowl by preserving our native wetlands. This is a cause that is important to me and Devin, as we are both very outdoorsy and enjoy hunting and fishing.

Here in Southeast North Carolina, our wetlands are a tremendous natural resource, and we are focused on preserving them for the next generation to enjoy. Part of how we do this is through our involvement with the Wilmington chapter, as we love hosting fundraisers to raise awareness and support for the national arm.

Ducks Unlimited has conserved over 15 million acres of wetlands since its founding. And, not that I really feel it’s necessary to justify the importance of wetlands, but I should point out that wetlands improve the overall health of our environment by recharging and purifying groundwater, moderating floods and reducing soil erosion. Wetlands are North America’s most productive ecosystems, providing critical habitat to more than 900 wildlife species and invaluable recreation opportunities for people to enjoy.
For us, the notion of giving back extends to the services we offer our customers. To ensure that we can provide the best service possible, rest easy at night and thrive for 10 more years (hopefully more), we do 1,000 hours of continuing education per year, making sure our employees are trained on the latest technology in our industry.

On behalf of our team, thank you to the city of Wilmington and the surrounding communities for the past 10 years!
To get involved, schedule a free consultation or learn about career opportunities, please call 910-777-3539 or visit our website at www.saltairinc.com.