Author: Clairemont Intern

April is National Volunteer Month

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Do you volunteer? Or have you ever thought about volunteering? Well, this is the month to start. President George H.W. Bush started the 1000 Points of Light campaign in 1991 which established April as National Volunteer Month.

National Volunteer Month is all about recognizing the importance of volunteering and thanking those who have donated time and energy to worthy causes. Many organizations would fail to exist if it weren’t for volunteers, especially non-profits. Therefore, we need to do our part!

How to celebrate National Volunteer Month:

  • Thank a volunteer. If a volunteer has made a difference in your life, tell them.
  • Sign up to volunteer. If you’ve been putting this off for a while, try now! Keep reading to get ideas on where and what to do!

Some ways that Clairemont has given back are by supporting a few worthwhile organizations, including the Green Chair Project, Triangle Family Services and Saving Grace.

The Green Chair Project

The Green Chair Project is a nonprofit that “reuses donated furnishings for people facing the challenges of homelessness, crisis or disaster.” In Wake County, there are more than 87,000 residents living in poverty. However, there has been a total of 103,134 hours of volunteer service towards helping families live in well-equipped homes. Green Chair Project volunteers have a variety of responsibilities. For example, working in hospitality, processing donations, curating décor, assembling home bundles, beautifying buildings and warehouse assistance. If you would be interested in helping with any of these, email kirsten@thegreenchair.org or visit this link! 

Triangle Family Services

The mission of Triangle Family Services is to build a stronger community by strengthening families. They do this by offering programs focused on family safety, financial stability and mental health. As a result, our local community and growing youth will lead better lives. For more information about volunteering, email info@tfsnc.org.

National Volunteer Month

Saving Grace

Saving Grace is the place where animal lovers come together to help find adoptable dogs and cats in need of a second chance. Saving Grace follows a 6-step procedure:

  1. Find dogs and cats (and some farm animals!) that need a second chance and rescue them
  2. Transport the animals to Saving Grace
  3. Treat the animals for medical issues and provide some bathing and grooming services
  4. Find homes for the animals
  5. Follow up with the adoption transition

This organization would not exist without volunteers! There are opportunities available working at the farm, with transportation of animals, medical support, social media, adoptions, administrative support and photography. There is also a need for foster families. Go here for more information on how to register to be a volunteer.

Interested in more ways to help but don’t know how? 

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, and it helps expand your network and learn and grow new skills, all while improving other people’s lives. If you were ever looking to make a difference, the time is now. We encourage you to utilize these past few days of National Volunteer month to set your intention to volunteer and research opportunities that appeal to you!

By Clairemont intern Ali de la Vega

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Journey to the Center of Ali

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During these times of uncertainty, I am positive that being an intern at Clairemont Communications is the right fit for me. Here is a little about who I am and what makes me, me. 

Daughter: 

I am a daughter to three, my dad, my stepmom and my mom. Each of these people are mentors to me and for a while, I placed most of my success in what they thought of me. Both my stepmom and dad served in the military, which taught me discipline and organization. To this day, I value their opinions more than anyone else. They have sacrificed for me, and I’m always trying to make them proud, and I think I have.

The older sibling:

My sister is two years younger than me, therefore I grew up often “taking care” of her. This is how I learned responsibility from an early age. My parents’ divorce also made me grow up quickly. By high school, I was a pro at navigating communication between my parents and at getting my sister and me to and from each home. 

Christian: 

My hometown church, Snyder Memorial Baptist, holds a special place in my heart. Many of the youth group leaders at church are some of my best role models and have helped me grow into the person I am today. My faith is one of my priorities, and I’m humbled by the love and grace God continues to show me each day. 

Amateur Athlete: 

Especially during warmer months, I can be found running or exercising outside. I’m embracing my youth and trying to take advantage of the strength I have while I have it. In May, I am running in the Cincinnati Flying Pig half marathon. I am also the Ambassador of Changing Health, Attitudes and Actions to Recreate Girls (CHAARG), a national health and fitness community for college women, at NC State and attend weekly workouts at local studios. Being active improves my well-being, including my physical, mental and spiritual health. 

Student: 

Currently, I’m a Junior at NC State. I was originally deferred from NC State. Although discouraging, it gave me the opportunity to study abroad in Prague my fall semester freshman year. Studying abroad taught me independence like no other and helped me understand the importance of communication, especially cross-culturally. Once on campus, I took interest in the communication program and later found the public relations concentration. After taking a few classes and learning about PRSSA on campus, I dove into the field and saw PR as my future career. This past year I joined the board of PRSSA to further my knowledge and it has helped me grow! Because of my interest in events and public leisure activities, I also added a minor in parks, recreation and tourism.  

Overachiever: 

At the core of my being, I want to be the best version of myself. I am always looking for new opportunities to learn and improve. Some may say I am an overachiever, but at the heart of it all, each endeavor I pursue teaches me something new and that motivates me to branch out and push myself even more.

Intern: 

All these factors of my life brought me to Clairemont Communications. My upbringing has taught me the importance of communication, creativity, hard work and relationships via networking. This is why during uncertain times, I am positive that being an intern at Clairemont Communications is the right fit for me. I am determined to make an impact and am excited to show what I can bring to the team!

By Clairemont intern Ali de la Vega, a Junior at NC State.

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Clairemont Team Gives Back: Ways to give back in the Triangle

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This holiday season the Clairemont team shares ways to give back in the Triangle. Read about our favorite causes and organizations to work with below.

DANA PHELPS

For the past year, I have been a volunteer at Saving Grace, a non-traditional shelter environment for dogs that allows adopters to mingle and interact with a variety of dogs and choose a new companion based on temperament and suitability for their homes and families. I love volunteering as a photographer assistant. When new dogs come to Saving Grace, they need pictures taken for the website and social media promotion. They are often scared and confused, and I like being able to help welcome them with some extra pets and snuggles as they start a journey to finding a furever home. I recently spent some extra time with a dog named Melville who is wishing to be adopted for the holidays! 

Ways to give back in the Triangle

Melville visited us at The Clairemont House. He’s available for adoption through Saving Grace.

TRACY LATHAN

Taking time out of the busy holiday schedule to serve at Raleigh Rescue Mission and connect with the amazing people there is always such a gift and really helps my family remember how many people in our community are in need of basic necessities, like food and shelter. We also give back during the holidays by picking a family from the Angel Tree at our elementary school. My kids help pick out and wrap the gifts, and it warms our hearts to know we are helping some of their fellow classmates have a special Christmas.

DEREK BULLINGTON

I just moved to Raleigh and haven’t started volunteering yet, but I am looking at National Alliance on Mental Illness. Mental illness is something that I care deeply about. I want to be able to give support to those in need as well as take the stigma away from talking about mental illness. I hope to start volunteering with them in the new year.

OLIVIA NOLES

This holiday season I ‘adopted’ an Angel Tree from The Salvation Army. I was able to get my little girl a bicycle, Barbies and a few clothing items. I have always wanted to participate in the Angel Tree program because every child deserves to experience the joy of waking up to gifts from Santa. Giving gifts is one of my favorite things about the holidays. I am so thankful I can help families in need give their children a magical holiday season.

What are your favorite ways to give back in the Triangle? Tell us about how you give back to our community!

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Clairemont team shares why we’re thankful this year

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For the past year, family gatherings and holiday get-togethers have looked a little different. Now that celebrating in large groups is significantly safer and travel is more accessible, we are looking forward to returning to our favorite holiday traditions and seeing family and friends in person this Thanksgiving. In this post, the Clairemont team shares why we’re thankful this year! 

Dana Phelps

This year for Thanksgiving, I’m so thankful for the return of air travel to be reunited with family members who live in different states. And while pandemic fears are still looming, I’m grateful that we have more knowledge this year that will allow us to relax a bit about gathering together around a table to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I will not miss my sanitizer-place settings of Thanksgiving 2020!

Tracy Lathan

A big family Thanksgiving has always been a favorite tradition of mine, so last year having four of us around our dining room table just did not feel right. Not to mention it seems like the same amount of work to cook for four or 14! This year we will be heading back to the beach to celebrate with the full Lathan crew…18 of us in total. Oyster dressing, a fishing tournament, evening fires, eight cousins running around and peanut butter bourbon. Feeling extra thankful this year and looking forward to Thanksgiving 2021! 

Derek Bullington

I am very thankful for getting to spend time with my family this year. With my sister having two young children and my father being immunocompromised, we were not able to do family gatherings in 2020. I’m grateful to be able to enjoy our normal traditions. I hope we all remember how important family and loved ones are and cherish the moments we have with them.

Olivia Noles

This year I am thankful to be able to safely see both sides of my family, something that has been difficult to balance since the pandemic. I am also grateful to get back to our Thanksgiving weekend tradition of attending the NC State vs. UNC football game on Black Friday and to shop in person with local businesses this Small Business Saturday. 

Anna Beth McCormick

Being with my extended family is my favorite part of Thanksgiving. Pre-pandemic we would have nearly 60 cousins, nieces and nephews together at my aunt and uncle’s house. This year, I am excited to get back to our traditions safely and have an active day full of great food and the best company. 

We are wishing everyone safe travels and time spent with family this holiday season. What holiday traditions are you excited to return to this year? We’d love to hear about them. 

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5 benefits of working in the office

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During the pandemic, working from home became the norm. We are excited to report that in the past few weeks, the Clairemont team officially transitioned back to working at The Clairemont House for the first time since March 2020. Being together in person has made us realize how valuable onsite work can be. Keep reading to learn our top 5 forgotten benefits of working in the office.

1. Collaborative work environment

To start, being in person at an office with your team creates a collaborative work environment. Now instead of exchanging ideas through never-ending email chains or logging onto yet another Zoom call, you can schedule meetings in person, stop by a coworker’s desk to ask a question or pop down the hall, depending on your office set-up. 

2. Adds structure to your schedule

Another benefit of working in the office is that it creates structure and encourages a healthy work-life balance. Working in the same space you relax in can make it harder to turn off your brain when it is time to rest. Physically being in a new environment will separate your work life from your home life. Commuting to work also allows the time to take a break and to reflect or just let your brain rest between activities.

3. Easier to build professional relationships

This next benefit is especially important for young, entry-level professionals or employees new to the organization. It is that working in an office makes it easier to build professional relationships. There are simply more opportunities to share experiences and develop connections with coworkers when you are in person. Being in a conference room or taking a lunch break together gives you an opportunity to connect that sitting on mute with your camera off doesn’t. 

4. Eliminates outside distractions

Another benefit of working in the office is that it eliminates outside distractions. We can all admit that home offices come with their own set of distractions. Whether it’s the dog barking, the doorbell ringing or balancing a partner’s home workspace with your own, working from home can be distracting. Having the option to go to work creates space from your home life and can make it easier to focus on your work. 

5. Improves efficiency

Working in the office improves efficiency by eliminating distractions, reducing screen fatigue and improving communication amongst the team. Explaining ideas or asking a question virtually can take up more time than you would imagine. Typing every detail in an email and waiting for a response often creates a lag time that working in the office eliminates.

We are excited to be back together and collaborate as a team to best serve our clients. Let us know if you agree with our 5 benefits of working in the office or if you have any other benefits. See you in the office!

By Clairemont intern Anna Beth McCormick, a senior at N.C. State.

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