We had a lot of fun participating in #GivingTuesday last week. Our biggest donation was made by Spherion! They donated $3,000 to go toward our Peru Greenhouse Business. project.
Ron Zarbock, owner of Spherion’s Utah offices, likes to make a pay-it-forward attitude part of his company culture. He says he has always focused on improving organizations and loves working with people and developing relationships. He said the best way to prosper during the holidays, as an employee or employer, is to fully serve and give everything you have.
“You never give back. You pay it forward,” Ron said.
Ron’s values, spirit and drive are also evident in his commitment to the Peru Greenhouse Project. As the Chairman of the Board for Tife, Ron believes in long-term relationships and long-term solutions. “There have been many short term projects in developing countries like Peru that do not provide long lasting results.”
He relates the story about how most people in the remote villages of rural Peru, wake up daily with only despair. “There is no industry, no way for them to share their talents and provide for themselves. Our project teaches them that they have tools to use to develop their talents. In this way they can serve others, create great products, and are able to provide for their families.”
Ron has traveled to Peru and works closely with our project team there. We asked him what change has he witnessed since we started this project.
“The most powerful thing I have witnessed is their gratitude. The Peruvian people we are working alongside of are enormously grateful for opportunity. Every opportunity throws open a new dream and possibility of what they are capable of. Even before they do it, the project gives them passion and hope.”
Waking up with hope instead of despair is a powerful shift. Once a person has vision enough to see how they can work with their hands to serve, add value and provide for themselves and others, then even the most gloomy days are bright.
