According to the United States Census Bureau, there are about 6,000,000 companies in the U.S., and of them, the landscape and home care industry represents roughly 508,002 of that number. These staggering statistics are no surprise—people love their homes and want to maintain a pest-free, beautiful space to raise their families. But what does that mean for a company like Waynes? How does a company retain not only their clients but their supply of hard-working, dedicated employees when there are literally thousands of other options available as competition? The answer is quite simple: A heavy and earnest focus on corporate charity.

Here at Waynes, we take pride in being a step above our competition, not only in our dedication to getting the job done correctly for each and every one of our clients but in our philanthropic endeavors across our own community and the entire world. We are heavily involved in Habitat for Humanity, Lifeline Children’s Services, Niños de la Luz, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and Altar 84—all wonderful organizations that benefit the lives of orphaned, underprivileged, and underserved people. We take pride in the money and time we give to each of these worthy charities, and our sincere charitable nature is one reason we are so happy to do it! There are many other reasons that we participate in corporate charity, however. Below are a few more reasons we love being a company who values servant-hearted work:

1. Workers are happier when they are employed by generous companies. There’s a lot of research out there indicating that happier, more engaged employees benefit the company in many ways, including increased productivity, better relationships with managers, and improved corporate development. Among employees asked specifically about charitable events, 37 percent felt more connected to their company culture when they had the opportunity to participate in charitable events, while 57 percent of respondents believed the charitable events made for happier teams. At Waynes, we’re happy that we can be a place of inspiration and personal growth for our employees.

2. Employees want to work for charitable companies. Cone Communications and Echo Research found that 79% of people prefer to work for a socially responsible company. Often, employees may want to donate their time to charitable work but can’t seem to find the time to do so in their busy lives, so charitable work via a company fundraiser is a huge way that employees can make a difference in the world while still on the clock. We’re proud to be a company that offers many great opportunities for giving back to benefit our employees’ mental and emotional wellbeing.

3. Charitable work provides valuable networking opportunities. According to a quote from the ad boss Roger Sterling on the popular TV series Mad Men, “Philanthropy is the gateway to power.” This quote, although spoken from a fictional character, is a truth that Waynes understands all too well. Charity organizations are often associated with the world’s most influential individuals, and belonging to these groups can offer invaluable resources and opportunities for employees. They are often wonderful chances to build a mutual trust and respect with like-minded business people in the community, with a consistent platform to nurture those relationships.

4. Philanthropic work creates a strong employer brand. In the world of business and corporation where motives are mainly profit-driven, introducing an ethical element to a company in the form of charitable work can create a positive image, setting a company apart from its competitors and creating a stronger brand. A study performed by Cone Communications and Echo Research revealed 90 percent of consumers worldwide are likely to switch to brands that support a good cause, given similar price and quality. At Waynes, we understand how important corporate charity is to our brand and our customers.

As you can see, Waynes sees the many benefits of charitable work for our employees, our customers, and our brand. We feel that corporate charity is a win-win for everyone! If you believe that Waynes is a place you could belong as an employee, we are eager to meet you! For more information on how to apply to work for Waynes, click here.