Meet our February ECM Spotlight: Connie Brinkman of KGPCo! Connie is a Transportation Specialist II at KGPCo where she provides support for all shipping needs, and last fall was her first year as an ECM.
Connie’s goal for her first year as an ECM was to draw participation and establish connection amongst her colleagues. She said, “In the past few years, the connectivity on a personal level was almost non-existent with most meetings handled virtually. Pledge week was a perfect opportunity to come together and connect again, not just with each other but connecting with the community as well.” KGPCo celebrated their campaign with a variety of activities, including wearing casual clothing, a chili cook-off, silent auction, and a finale pie in the face with some of their top executives. As a result, they experienced a 176% increase in involvement from the previous year!
Connie has long had a passion for community involvement, beginning her journey about 10 years ago when she worked at a non-profit outreach program in Warsaw, IN which offered a thrift store, food pantry, and hot meal daily for anyone in need of assistance. Additionally, within her own community, she coordinated a mobile food pantry. She said, “Ten years ago was when giving back to the community became an important driver in my life and not something you did in your weekly check.”
With a desire to be involved with the community after moving to Kansas City, she explains that fulfilling the role of ECM for her company was the perfect way to do so.
“I was missing the ‘feel good and joy feeling’ I had in Indiana when I was able to help with the different charity events. This opportunity with United Way has giving me a chance to fill a void and continue to help in a city I am still trying to navigate. I am grateful for KGPCo for giving me an outlet and the freedom to continue the community involvement,” she said.
Since her move to Kansas City, Connie has participated in the women’s build with Habitat for Humanity and remains involved in work activities for various charities her company helps during the year. “Giving is an important part of KGPCo’s history and continues to be a priority for the company… The values and goals of United Way align with core values of KGPCo, so this partnership was a good match to reach the community,” she said. She emphasizes a big thank you to the vendors and transportation carriers who donated to her company’s pledge week events, and to her colleagues who participated in the activities making the campaign a success.
Thank you, Connie, for your creative drive and dedication to helping our community. Keep an eye out for more inspiring stories as we continue to showcase ECMs who embody the core of being a Waymaker™.