626 Gives is our small way of giving back!

At 626, we are driven by a desire to improve our community and the lives of those who call it home. Giving back is a big part of our culture and it’s why we formed our new charitable foundation, 626 Gives. It’s also why we’ve pledged to match all employee charitable donations to 626 Gives up to $626.

Improving pediatric care is extremely important to our team at 626, from our executives and employees to our external stakeholders. Check out two such programs we support below. In addition to the pediatric care, 626 Gives supports various healthcare initiatives for women and military veterans.

We feel extremely fortunate to be able give back in some small way and we encourage all who are able to do so as well. Thank you for your support.

Drops of Hope

Our team has long been involved with an organization called Drops of Hope, a 501 (c)(3) that provides free transportation for young cancer patients and their families to and from the hospital for chemotherapy treatments. Drops of Hope was actually formed by Michael Fischer, co-founder and CFO of 626, in 2006.

Families travel to appointments in limousines fully equipped with video games, movies, snacks and drinks, providing a semblance of joy to an otherwise stressful trip. Drops of Hope also offers a program called Rooms of Hope, which provides bedroom makeovers to pediatric cancer patients. Rooms are designed to suit each child’s personal tastes and interests and are decorated with special touches such as custom furniture, artwork and other creative accessories.

 

Drops of Hope

Salah Foundation

The Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital offers a variety of pediatric specialty services including allergy/immunology, cardiology, dentistry, endocrinology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, nephrology, neurology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, psychiatry, pulmonology, rheumatology, special needs, surgery and urology.

Foundation 626

Salah Foundation

Habitat for Humanity

626 participated in our 2nd annual local Habitat for Humanity Event during the last weekend of February. We worked as a team to build a home.

Habitat Broward is a nonprofit organization that builds strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable housing. They bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Habitat for Humanity

Broward Partnership

We helped support the Broward Partnership Organization by supplying them with toilet­ries, cleaning supplies, gently used clothes (donated by our lovely staff) and lots of Covid-19 supplies (mask, gloves, hand sanitizer etc.). ⁣⁣

Our Team also volunteered for the Broward Partnerships meal service program. We assisted in the preparation of serving food, clean up during and after the meal, and most importantly in providing a comfortable and hospitable setting where the local less fortunate could enjoy a nutritious meal.

The Broward Partnership is committed to reducing homelessness by promoting independence and self-worth through advocacy, housing and comprehensive services.

Broward Partnership

Chef Nicole

We worked with Chef Nicole and donated 250 meals to the homeless for Thanksgiving.

Chef Nicole of Miami has a passion for both a healthy lifestyle and cooking. She combined the two to make a healthy meal delivery service.

Chef Nicole

Back to Basics Angel Program

We were happy to be a part of the Back to Basics Angel Project again this year. The program provides over 8,100 children in need with the basic necessities of new sneakers, socks, underwear and toys each year during the holiday season. We were able to fill 55 gift bags as one of our many contributions to the community.

The Back to Basics Angel Program provides over 8,100 needy children with the basic necessities of NEW sneakers, socks, underwear and a toy each year during the holiday season.

Back to Basics Angel Program

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Some members of our 626 team walked in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk to help raise awareness, money and show support in efforts to make an impact in ending breast cancer.

Their mission is to make an impact towards ending breast cancer by coming together as ONE to fund research, increase access to care, support our community, and commit to action. Komen has a comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts while supporting people all over the U.S and internationally. They pride themselves on advocating for patients, driving research breakthroughs, improving access to high-quality care, offering direct patient support and empowering people with trustworthy information.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Forgotten Soldier

The 626 team created 100 care packages that included: Toiletries, Snack Food, Baby Wipes, Batteries, Drink Mixes, Forgotten Soldier Newsletter, Girl Scout Cookies, Letters of Encouragement, Comic Books and other items. Also, every care package includes a Troop It Forward Box. A Troop It Forward (TIF) box is a 30-day supply of toiletries, along with information on how an individual can register to be a recipient. When the actual recipient receives the care package and sees that someone at mail call does not receive anything, they can in turn give them the TIF box. To date, over a third of our recipients are the result of the TIF program.

Forgotten Soldier Outreach Inc. is on a mission to help support America’s deployed military service members to ensure they are not forgotten by sending them care packages and letters of encouragement.

Forgotten Soldier

Engine Company 4 Golf

The members of Engine Company 4 have served their community in times of emergency. They have fought fires of all kinds, rescued people, saved property, and responded to calls for help in various situations. After 86 years, they look forward to continuing their dedicated service through diligent training as well as providing a rapid and efficient response when called upon by the community.⁣

We sponsored this annual golf outing in 2021 & 2022, which is a fundraiser for Engine Company #4 of the Smithtown Fire Department. It is very well attended, fun, and allows various members of the community to learn about each other and do some networking.⁣

Engine Company 4 Golf

Adopt-A-Family Back to School!

With success and overwhelming need in the community, we partnered with Adopt-A-Family and donated brand new backpacks and supplies to children in need 🙂

Adopt-A-Family’s mission is to strengthen families with children and to help them to achieve stability and self-sufficiency by providing access to all-encompassing services.

Adopt-A-Family Back to School!

Broward Health: Back to School Drive

626 Donated 120 school backpacks stuffed with school supplies to Broward Health’s Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center. All of the backpacks were distributed to tons of young children who receive treatment at this comprehensive treatment center.

Broward Health: Back to School Drive

SOS Children's Village

Michael & Phil brought their families to help give back to these deserving children on this special day. Their children gave presents and helped spread joy. There were food trucks, bounce houses, presents and more!

SOS Children’s Village strives to help children, families and communities succeed long-term. They strengthen families to prevent child abandonment, provide loving homes for children who lack parental care, educate and empower children to reach their full potential and advocate for children’s rights so their voices can be heard.

SOS Children's Village

A Gift for Teaching: Kits for Kids

The ISS team completed 115 STEM kits for the Kits For Kids program organized by A Gift for Teaching. 626 also contributed $626 to the Kits for Kids program. The organization is ecstatic we were able to help out.

The Kits for Kids event that is put on by A Gift for Teaching benefits students and teachers in Orange and Osceola Counties.

A Gift for Teaching: Kits for Kids

Sunrise Association

For the second year, 626 has made a $626 donation to help support Sunrise Association and son of Tracee, a friend that Michael Fischer grew up with.

Sunrise is a non-profit, one-of-a-kind organization that offers kids with cancer (and cancer survivors), along with their siblings an opportunity to attend Sunrise Day camp free of charge. The funding is solely from individuals and corporate sponsors. There are now 10 locations: three in New York, three in Israel, one in GA, one in MD, one in Washington DC, and one near Philadelphia. They also offer virtual camp activities for those children not near a camp. Sunrise Association volunteers are also affiliated with over 40 hospitals nationwide and they play games, do crafts and help to brighten the day of kids who are hospitalized.

Sunrise Association

Gladiolus Food Pantry

We helped to restock a food pantry located in Harlem Heights, Florida called Gladiolus. This area was heavily impacted by Hurricane Ian and needs our support. Even though the food pantry has been impacted, they continue to support and service the community. We understand that after natural disasters, food and other resources are not always equally available for all neighborhoods, so it was important to us that we help where it’s needed most.

Gladiolus Food Pantry

Spirit of Giving Foundation

626 had the pleasure of working with Palm Beach County and the Spirit of Giving Foundation at the PBC back to school event. This year they distributed over 10,000 backpacks and school supplies all over Palm Beach County. Helping kids from kindergarten through 12th grade receive new supplies, shoes, uniform shirts, haircuts and even physicals, to start the year off right. Our volunteers were able to assist students as they shopped for school supplies for the 2022/2023 school year.

Big thanks to PBC, The Spirit of Giving and our volunteers for making our contribution possible.

Spirit of Giving Foundation

The Joy in Childhood Foundation

626 volunteered at this year’s Dunkin Prom 2021 sponsored by Broward Health. This is a Drive Thru Prom targeting chronically ill teens and/or teens who are experiencing life threatening illnesses, giving them an experience in lieu of a prom which they would not be able to attend due to their health condition. 626 donated personalized 626 water bottles too.

The Joy in Childhood Foundation’s mission is to provide the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness.

The Joy in Childhood Foundation

Florence Fuller Youth Development Center

We sponsored a Carnival Family Fun Day at the Florence Fuller Youth Development Center in Boca Raton. There were a number of activities for kids, including cookie decorating, games, arts & crafts, clowns, face painting, and more. 626 provided a bounce house, mobile gaming truck, 2-person basketball shootout, football cornhole, football quarterback toss and a Kona Ice truck.

The Fuller Center provides quality early education, afterschool and summer camp programs for disadvantaged children and youth in Southern Palm Beach County.

Florence Fuller Youth Development Center

Speak Up For Kids

626 donated brand new Chromebooks and Goody Bags to each and every child graduating this year through the Speak Up For Kids Organization.

Speak Up For Kids supports and is the advocate for every abused, abandoned and neglected child in Palm Beach County. They have served over 2,350 children. Their goal is to break the cycle of abuse, violence, crime, and neglect one child at a time. To get to high school graduation is a huge accomplishment for these children. With the help of Speak Up For Kids, 20 young woman and 12 young man are graduating high school this year.

Speak Up For Kids

Africk Family Foundation Spin-a-Thon

626 sponsored and participated in the 3rd Annual Africk Family Foundation Spin-a-thon benefitting Broward Health Medical Centers Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Department. 626 was the presenting sponsor at the 4th annual Spin-a-thon in 2021 and the 5th annual Spin-a-thon in 2022 as well!

Africk Family Foundation Spin-a-Thon

PJammin for Kids with Cancer

Our 626 Family is heading into our 3rd year of participation for the PJammin for Kids with Cancer Organization.

Most kids go through long days of treatment while spending a lot of time in their Pajamas, so PJammin for Kids with Cancer aims to help them. They strive to raise awareness so that the community can help these children not feel so alone and help provide funding for free resources and support.

PJammin for Kids with Cancer

Special Olympics New Jersey

626 sponsored employee Jennifer Nagy in her second annual Polar Plunge event that benefits the Special Olympics of New Jersey. Way to go Jenn!!!!

Special Olympics New Jersey organizes an annual Polar Plunge for individuals, organizations, and businesses to support Special Olympics New Jersey athletes by jumping into the frigid Atlantic waters during February.

Special Olympics New Jersey

Women in Distress Baskets

Over the past 2 years, we have partnered with Women in Distress of Broward County. This year, we donated 24 welcome home baskets that will help the women and children who come to the shelter get settled in. These baskets include towels, feminine hygiene products, sheet sets, soaps, lotions and hair care products.

Women in Distress of South Florida’s mission is to stop domestic violence abuse for everyone through intervention, education, and advocacy. They provide a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter program, counseling, and support groups to help educate people on the seriousness of domestic violence. They strive to help empower victims to gain independence and learn to be self-sufficient.

Women in Distress Baskets

Salvation Army Angel Tree

For the 2nd year 626 has participated in the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. 626 sponsored 50 children for the Holiday Season and each child was given a toy and an outfit per their wish list.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program helps serve the neediest of families with small children during the Holiday Season. Many families struggle month to month and cannot afford to buy presents to keep under the tree for their small children. This program helps those who are in need during the holidays.

Salvation Army Angel Tree

Kindness Matters

626 sponsored the Kindness Matters Foundation and donated over 60 blankets, 3,000 toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. These blankets and hygiene supplies will help supply a great need for the homeless community. The supplies are being given out at Meals with Meaning which occurs daily.

626 also donated 300 full body rain jackets for the local South Florida homeless population to use as protection during the rain and for nighttime to use as a barrier between them and where they sleep.

The Kindness Matters Foundation is a non-profit in South Florida that formed a group called Kindness Food Angel’s. The Kindness Food Angels help provide those in need with many different food and supplies.

Kindness Matters

Valerie Fund

One of our employees, Tara Evans, has a nephew, Owen, who is receiving treatment for his Leukemia at the Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ. At the hospital, every time a child has to be poked with needles, the children then get to choose from the treasure chest which holds gift cards for them and their parents. We collected gift card donations for the Valerie Fund.

The Valerie Fund provides children with something special during their treatment. Their mission is to provide the most effective way of healing the children which they believe is by treating them emotionally, social, and developmentally alongside their medical treatment.

Valerie Fund

Matthew's Hope

We partnered with Matthew’s Hope to provide canned food items to help those in need.

Matthews Hope is based in Winter Garden, and is a fully independent, faith based non-profit homeless outreach ministry organization. They are completely funded by the local community and they exclusively serve Orange County, Florida.

Matthew's Hope

Give Kids the World Village

626 Gives participated in a virtual walk for the Give Kids the World Village organization. Ryan and Jennifer Clarke of ISS have brought the organization to our attention as it is a walk that they have been doing for many years.

GKTW mission is to raise money for Give Kids the World Village which is a storybook resort that provides free vacations to critically ill children and their families- the vacations create happiness and hope when families need it the most.

Give Kids the World Village

Style for Hope

Alexis Bard and Sarah Johnson represented 626 at the Dress for Success Palm Beaches 7th Annual “Style for Hope” Luncheon fundraising event.

This fundraising event was to help support the mission of empowering women to achieve economic independence.

Style for Hope

JDRF One Walk

626 was a sponsor in the JDRF walk at Nova Southeastern University, to fight to create a world without Type One Diabetes.

JDRF One Walk is an event that is held to bring the type one community and their family and friends together to help find a cure through funding research.

JDRF One Walk

Blood Drive

Many of our employees participated in this blood drive to help be part of the solution to the blood shortage during 2020.

Blood drives happen all over the country, often, and just one blood donation can save up to 3 lives.

Blood Drive

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