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Inspire Energy, a local energy company, has stepped up in a big way to support the Suffolk Cheer Fund, both financially and through hands-on volunteer work. The company’s commitment to the Suffolk community shines through their dedication to this vital program, which provides holiday assistance to families in need. 

According to Inspire Energy Director of Marketing Mary Hensley, last year the company donated $2,500 to the Cheer Fund, and this year they have doubled that contribution. But their support goes far beyond financial aid. Inspire Energy employees have dedicated their time and energy to volunteering for the Cheer Fund, recognizing the significant need for volunteers in Suffolk.

“But really for us, it was more about seeing and having to volunteer time to be a part … when we volunteered at the Salvation Army, we had volunteered for different things,” Hensley said. “A lot of times we let our employees take afternoons off when they’re looking for volunteers, and so we’ve done everything from running angel tree, donations, and putting them into the appropriate family boxes to win the families come out to shop hand out stockings, or you know be the shoppers with the families. It really brings the whole point of the holidays to the forefront for us all.”

The company’s involvement began after learning that Suffolk operates its own independent Salvation Army program, separate from the larger Hampton Roads efforts. This realization highlighted the need for focused support in Suffolk, particularly for volunteer efforts.

Hensley says they found the volunteer network in Suffolk was much smaller, compared to the support seen in Norfolk. While volunteering with the Salvation Army in Norfolk often involved multiple companies sending large groups of employees, Suffolk relied heavily on individuals and families.

“Last year, having done it for the first time with the Salvation Army in Suffolk, it’s a much smaller operation, and they don’t have quite the number of volunteers that the Norfolk group,” Hensley said. “We quickly realize that they don’t have that same sort of corporate support. A lot of the volunteers were individuals … you know, a couple teenagers coming in with their parents to help out, retired couples coming in and trying to help shop for the kids.”

This experience had a profound impact on the Inspire Energy team, who ended up volunteering for several consecutive days, despite their busy schedules. 

Hensley says while donations for younger children were plentiful, gifts for teenagers were scarce. This prompted them to step up and purchase appropriate items for teenagers, filling a critical gap in resources. Suffolk is one of the few areas to provide for children over the age of 12, so Hensley encourages those who wish to donate also remember those children as well.

Hensley encourages other corporations to recognize the unique needs of the Suffolk community and to consider supporting the Cheer Fund, both financially and through volunteer work. She emphasized the significant impact even a small amount of time can have on this vital to the Cheer Fund.

“It’s just understanding that Suffolk and Western Tidewater is its own separate thing from what you see for the rest of Hampton Roads,” Hensley said. “So, it’s really important Suffolk businesses be aware of that and their budget is fairly small, I believe the goal this year is $50,000 so it doesn’t take a lot to help.”

Businesses who wish to support the Suffolk Cheer Fund should contact Margie Wiley at 757-809-2130.

Anyone interested in donating to the Cheer Fund can do so by bringing a check to the Suffolk News-Herald office at 110 W. Finney Ave. or sending your check to;

Suffolk Cheer Fund

c/o Margie Wiley

P.O. Box 1411

Suffolk, VA 23439

or on the Cheer Fund’s website, www.suffolkcheerfund.org. If you would like, a photo can be taken as you are presenting your donation.