In 2006, Executive Vice President, Rick Bashore and his Administrative Coordinator, Heather Shepherd, were discussing ideas on how Ticor could start giving back to the community; Heather put the word out to the Ticor Sales Executives to explore. Sales Executive Eva Wysocki had a discussion with one of her associates, Gloria Suess of Prudential Real Estate and Chairman at Mary’s Kitchen. She told Eva there was a need for service on Thanksgiving Day at Mary’s Kitchen, a local soup kitchen that provides daily meals, showers, and laundry service to those in need.
Ticor rallied its team and discussed the logistics; taking on the task of feeding many hundreds of people a traditional and home cooked Thanksgiving Dinner is no small challenge. Heather began organizing a food drive for Ticor Employees to donate the food, beverages, and paper products necessary to provide a fully home-made meal for approximately 350 people.
The biggest challenge was cooking the turkeys. How could we logistically have 15 homemade turkeys ready to go at 1pm on Thanksgiving Day? That’s where Scott Shepherd, Heather’s husband stepped in; he said he would cook the turkeys. Now, each year Scott roasts approximately 15 turkeys in his home; he carves them all himself and with homemade gravy to boot! Needless to say the Shepherd home smells of roasted turkey for the better half of late November…
It’s an unbelievable production. Ticor employees spend their Thanksgiving Day preparing and serving the meal. Everything is home cooked, including real yams, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. It is without question a meal made with love and care. Attention is paid to even the smallest details. Centerpieces are handcrafted for the tables and utensils are wrapped individually with ribbon. Grace is eloquently presided over by Ty Mohler at 1:00 PM sharp.
As an added bonus for those in need, there is a clothing giveaway. Items of clothing are generously donated by Mac Beu, President of Katin and OceanAire; he is an associate of Ticor Marketing Director, Karim Moullemaaz. Also in past years, Ticor employees have hand made hundreds of knotted fleece blankets during afterhours. Ticor Title donates all of the materials, and Rick Bashore donates all of the pizza and drinks! This project takes over the conference room many Friday nights throughout the year.
We thank the numerous Ticor employees who have given their time and support: Heather Shepherd, Rick Bashore, Stella
Cardoza, Cindy Fern, Cathleen Brooks, Robert Valdez, Catherine Crevier, Andrea Mittelstaedt, Bryon Bashore, Deena Campos, Felix Duarte, Adam Cleary, James Patten, Tomas Duarte, and Anita Cook. Ticor would like to thank all of the Employees and their families and friends that have generously given of themselves to provide this deeply valued service. We would also like to thank Mary’s Kitchen for allowing us the opportunity to give back to the community. It is a privilege and an honor to be affiliated with such an organization. While Ticor works hard to make this one day extra special at Mary’s Kitchen, its employees, and volunteers work tirelessly every day of the year!
As Rick States, “It’s an extremely humbling day to watch these individuals come through the line with a smile on their face and love in their hearts, it makes it so worthwhile.”
Please feel free to join us next year … we can always share the love!
Mary’s Kitchen Link http://www.maryskitchen.org/