At Inspire, we encourage all of our team members to be Good Citizens committed to elevating each other and the communities we serve. This holiday season, our team members found impactful ways to spread joy and give back through a variety of heartwarming initiatives.
River Coach is a six-year-old who loves his local Dunkin’ in Bedford, Virginia. From morning visits for donuts before school to dressing up as a Dunkin’ barista on Halloween (complete with a MUNCHKINS bucket), River has become a favorite guest since the location first opened its doors. To celebrate him, Dunkin’ franchisee Coastal Franchising’s Chief Executive Officer George Ross worked with his Dunkin’ team in Bedford to celebrate River as an honorary Dunkin’ team member.
The Bedford Dunkin’ surprised River on a morning visit, welcoming him inside with balloons, custom donuts, and an exclusive meet n’ greet with Dunkin’s mascot, Sprinkles. River also received his very own Dunkin’ uniform and brand swag, including Crocs with Dunkin’ charms, a $500 custom gift card, and drinkware. But the experience wouldn’t be complete without a chance to help out behind the counter, where River put on the drive-thru headset and welcomed other guests as they arrived. To commemorate River and his special place at the Bedford Dunkin’, team members unveiled a special plaque to be displayed permanently in his honor.
The Inspire Foundation partnered with Atlanta team members to support an uplifting event at Belmont Hills Elementary School. Each year, the Foundation provides STEM gifts that team member volunteers wrap and hand-deliver to students as part of the school’s annual Polar Express Day.
This holiday season, nearly 300 students received gifts. After arriving at school in their pajamas to enjoy a reading of The Polar Express, Inspire team members surprised students with gifts complete with handwritten notes. Teachers also received Dunkin’ gift cards to thank them for all that they do for their students.
In the Northeast, Inspire team member volunteers prepared and delivered meals and gifts to children in need. Boston team members sponsored and fulfilled the holiday wish lists of local children through the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families’ “giving tree,” and raised funds for the Baskin-Robbins Joy in Childhood Foundation through sales of Ice Cream Turkey Cakes and Pre-Packed Ice Cream Quarts. In Metro New York, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation partnered with team member volunteers to prepare more than 1,000 Thanksgiving meals at the Long Island Cares Harry Chapin Food Bank, providing holiday meals for Long Island families facing food insecurity.
Inspire’s Operations Innovations team led the Bloom Angel Tree program at the Atlanta Global Support Center, providing the opportunity for team members to select and buy a gift for a child in need. Together, team members fulfilled more than 200 gift requests for children in the Georgia Foster Care system.
Atlanta team members also supported families in need by volunteering at the Atlanta Children’s Day Shelter. Volunteers managed toy drives, sorted donations, and wrapped gifts to create a toy marketplace where parents could choose presents for their children.
At Inspire, we believe in giving back not just during the holidays, but throughout the year. To learn more about the Inspire Foundation, visit foundation.inspirebrands.com. To learn more about the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, visit joyinchildhoodfoundation.org.
