It's All About Community

Fedalia: You know, Adam, you touched on being proud of being a part of Macy's, because we've gone nationwide, and you know, it seems like we touch a lot of communities, because we're in so many different locations. And something that I'm really proud about is the fact that the company takes such great interest in each demographic, each community with their program Partners In Time. And before I started with Macy's, I was not involved with the community at all. I was just kind of me, you know, bopping around, and I had no social conscience, really, you know, not too much. But when I joined the company, it made it really easy, because each program is in every single location, and it gives us the time and kind of the innovative thinking to go out there and see what we can do in our communities. At one store that I was in, we sponsored a teen center. And during back to school time, we would do a stationary drive so that the kids who are in economically challenged areas will have supplies when they go back to school. And it was a very fulfilling project that we had, and we did many projects after that, but it was just a very worthwhile thing. It made my job feel that much more important.

Vicky: While I was at my first store over Christmas, we raised money for a certain family-a family that would not get Christmas gifts. And we did this through the management team, and each department could do one through their department, or whatever they chose to do. But we raised money, and we went and bought those presents ourselves. We wrapped them ourselves to give to that family.

Adam: Yeah, there are so many ways that Macy's gives back to the community. I know at one of my stores, we participated with one of our local boys and girls club during the summertime when the kids are out of school. And myself and the management team, we went out and played soccer with the kids, you know, and-and had a fun day with them, and they were-they were happy to have someone, you know, involved with them, and-and take time and play with them. And then one time, we also went to a local food bank, and spent time there, and helped sort out the food, and I was-I felt like I was really making a difference in a lot of people's lives, and I really liked that.

Sandra: In our store, every year we have what's called Mama's Kitchen where we come together as a store and gather food and contributions to be able to help the families in need, and it really brings the whole store together. It's just a good feeling to be able to help and give back to the community.

Mark: I think to touch on what Sandra said is that when we're doing these things within our own store, yes, we're there to do business, and yes, we're there to, you know, grow people and everything, but you know, what's nice is that we can all come together and say, "There's other people that are less fortunate than us, and we work for an organization that supports us getting involved in our community, and helping those people that are less fortunate than us." I know Sandra elaborated on what we do in our store, you know, in regards to Mama's Kitchen, and we also do the adopted family every year as well, too. You know, this past year, I can just remember all of my managers and myself and my HR manager and some of our regionals even chipped in, and we got the profile for the dad, and what clothes he liked to wear, and what the kids liked, and what toys they liked, and the mom, what she had always wanted. So, Sandra put together a cosmetic basket, and I got together a nice shirt and actually even a tie, because the dad didn't have a tie, and he wanted a tie, and you know, some of our other managers went and got some toys for the kids, and we just put together a whole bunch of things, and it just felt really good. You know, it just makes yourself-it makes you feel good. It makes your team players-again, teams win, feel really good, but I think most importantly is that Macy's supports it, which is awesome, because now that we have gone national, can you imagine that? Every Macy's being involved in their community the way that we are in our own stores, how much stronger we are, because we're working together, even in this arena.

Fedalia: It's also a very morale building experience within the store, too. The donation of time-not just money but time that the associates give. It's just a good feeling.