The 33rd annual Silver Bells in the City Electric Light Parade is scheduled for November 17 and will air on FOX 47. We spoke with Claire Doroh, Corporate Citizenship Specialist at Delta Dental, about the company's sponsorship of this year's TV broadcast.
CIARA GARCHOW: Why is Delta Dental sponsoring the Silver Bells in the City Electric Light Parade TV broadcast?
CLAIRE DOROH: Delta Dental is a proud supporter in the Lansing community. We enjoy giving back to several organizations and programs in the Mid-Michigan area and throughout the state. Silver Bells is a treasured holiday tradition that is well respected and gives children, adults and families the chance to kick off the holiday season together and celebrate the Lansing community as a whole.
GARCHOW: What other community initiatives does Delta Dental engage in here in Mid-Michigan?
DOROH: One of Delta Dental’s core values is community involvement. This year marks our 60th anniversary, and one way we celebrated was by giving away $60,000 to six nonprofit organizations in Lansing and Detroit. Our Smile Squad rode around in our Smile Mobile and surprised each organization with a $10,000 check.
In addition, our annual food drive is taking place in December, where employees donate canned, non-perishable food items – which we then donate to the Greater Lansing Food Bank. The company matches $1 per item – a donation which also goes to GLFB. Last year, we donated more than 23,000 food items.
We hold a school supply drive in August, where our employees donate brand new school supplies and then pack them into backpacks, along with toothbrushes, toothpaste and oral health materials. We donated more than 1,500 backpacks to organizations in Lansing and Kalamazoo this year. We are also involved with Many Hands, a local non-profit out of Williamston, that helps fill bags of food for Lansing area school children over the weekends when they otherwise may not have had enough food to eat.
To learn more about Delta Dental community initiatives, click here.
GARCHOW: Are Delta Dental employees encouraged to get involved in the community?
DOROH: Delta Dental employees are our greatest ambassadors. We are always promoting opportunities for employees to volunteer and give back in the community.
Our most recent endeavor was our Delta Dental Days of Doing, as part of our 60th anniversary celebration. 150 employees and their family members volunteered at three organizations. They helped build picnic benches, tables and compost bins, harvested vegetables and set up furniture and décor for a newly renovated space.
Our employees also just nominated 60 organizations to each receive a $100 donation from Delta Dental through our Share a Smile Program. We are excited to help benefit 60 non-profits across the state.
GARCHOW: What is your personal mission within your position as Corporate Citizenship Specialist at Delta Dental?
DOROH: Community responsibility is a critical role in my life. I strive as an individual, as well as within my family, to give back and volunteer my time for people who otherwise might not have certain opportunities. I use that motivation at work to hopefully encourage my fellow employees to follow suit by spreading smiles across the state and brightening the future for Michigan children and adults.
GARCHOW: What are some things people in Mid-Michigan might not know about Delta Dental?
DOROH: Delta Dental is committed to giving back in our communities. It’s incredible to be a part of the Corporate Citizenship program where we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of all Michigan children and adults. We enjoy spreading smiles as well as doing our part to make lives better and healthier in the communities we serve.
