Memphis (TN) – APL Logistics and AT&T are committed to helping those in need. Therefore, after a recent plea from Ronald McDonald House of Memphis, the two companies joined forces and encouraged employees to help refill the otherwise depleted pantries at “The House That Love Built”. The collaborative effort began as the two companies challenged each other to a competition, leading not only to an exponential increase of the donation amount, but also a newfound camaraderie between the two companies whose offices are located in the same business complex.

 

Ronald McDonald House of Memphis houses up to 51 families daily and the two pantries provide much needed non-perishable food items to these families returning to their “home-away-from-home” after a long day of treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The support from employees of APL Logistics and AT&T exceeded all expectations. On Thursday, July 29th, Kelly Erb, Development Director for Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis accepted a donation of over $7,000 of food items from Tammy Wood, Director of Finance for APL Logistics and Chuck Thomas III., Regional Director for AT&T. Mark S. Norris, Sr., State Senate Majority Leader was also in attendance for the official presentation.

 

“Thanks to the inspiration and leadership of Senator Mark Norris, the AT&T team in Memphis answered the call and was able to collect over $7,000 of food, snacks and drinks for the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis,” said Chuck Thomas III, Regional Director for AT&T. “With these goods, we are able to help positively touch the lives of over 50 families in the Memphis area”. 
 
“We greatly appreciate APL Logistics’ and AT&T’s support of Ronald McDonald House. This was a tremendous gift to the families that stay with us. When we sounded the call for donations, APL Logistics and AT&T responded in a big way. We are also very thankful to State Senate Majority Leader, Mark Norris, for lending his support to the pantry drive and for his support of Ronald McDonald House of Memphis said Caron Byrd, Executive Director for Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis.

 

“Ronald McDonald House relies on donations from individuals, organizations and businesses to raise the funds necessary to provide a “home-away-from-home” for the children and families we serve. We are thrilled to have the support of organizations like APL Logistics and AT&T and we are looking forward to a long relationship and more ways of collaborating in the future” added Kelly Erb, Development Director for Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis.

 

“I am pleased to see that good corporate citizens like AT&T and APL Logistics have been able to provide food and supplies to so many families in need here in the Memphis area,” said Majority Leader Norris. “These two companies showed that a little healthy competition, and an interest in giving back to the community can help many.”