PLS team members in Illinois rallied to provide holiday support to the Pacific Garden Mission on Chicago's South Side. The company's new program, "A Blizzard of Holiday Cheer," gave team members the opportunity to purchase items to contribute to the comfort of homeless women and children in the Chicago area.
Pacific Garden Mission
The Pacific Garden Mission, located at 1458 S. Canal Street, provides food, shelter, clothing and medical care to homeless men, women and children throughout the Chicago area. On an average night, over 500 homeless men, women and children receive safe, clean and warm shelter at the site. During the cold winter months, that number can climb above 900. Everything is provided free of charge to all who enter 'the doors that never close.'
"For many years, the Pacific Garden Mission has been a refuge for the most needy in our community," said Dan Wolfberg, President, PLS. "As a good neighbor, we're committed to supporting the Mission in their very important work."
Donation Cards and Snowflake Display
As the centerpiece of PLS's "A Blizzard of Holiday Che women's jackets er" program, a giant five-foot snowflake was displayed at the PLS Support Center, the corporate headquarters on Chicago's West Side. The snowflake was covered in donation cards, printed in three different denominations. Each card was used to make a purchase to provide for the many needy women and children who find shelter at the Pacific Garden Mission.
A $5 donation card purchased a pillow for the Mission. A $10 donation purchased a set of bedsheets. A $15 donation purchased toys for the children who visit the Mission.
Company-Matched Donations Bring Twice the Cheer
PLS team members pledged 17 pillows, 31 sets of sheets and 21 toy donations to the Pacific Garden Mission. These contributions were matched by the company, for a combined total of 34 pillows, 62 sets of sheets and 42 toy donations.
"We're thankful for the opportunity to help those in the greatest need this holiday season," said Wolfberg.
About PLS: People. Location. Service.
Chicago-based PLS Financial Services, Inc., manages more than 300 financial service centers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, New York, Texas and Wisconsin, with more than 3,100 employees. PLS is one of the largest, fastest growing and most distinguished organizations in the check cashing industry, and is a Western Union money transfer network.
PLS is listed on Inc. magazine's "5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America," and has been named one of Chicago's "101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" by the National Association of Business Resources. For the past three years, PLS was named one of Chicago's Largest Privately Held Companies by Crain's Chicago Business?, and was a member of Crain's "Fast 50" (Fastest Growing Companies). Bob and Dan Wolfberg, PLS Presidents, have been named finalists for Ernst & Young's 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The company has also been honored with the Activa Award from the Financial Service Centers of American (FiSCA) in recognition of its charitable efforts.
The PLS brands include PLS Check Cashers, which offers check cashing, money transfer services, money orders and bill payments; PLS Loan Store, which provides consumer micro-loans and tax-preparation services; and PLS Motor Vehicle Services.
About The Pacific Garden Mission
The Pacific Garden Mission is the oldest continuously operating rescue mission in the U.S. In addition to food, clothing, shelter and medical care, it offers ministry and job training to thousands in need throughout the Chicago area. The Pacific Garden Mission accepts no government funding; all of its operating expenses are covered by donations. To support the Pacific Garden Mission's work, or for more information, call 312-492-9410 or visit pgm.org
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