Barron Collier Companies (BCC) has long supported charitable initiatives throughout Southwest Florida. As a dedicated steward of the community, BCC takes pride in contributing to the wellbeing of our community. One way our organization puts this into action is by incentivizing our employees to engage in their local neighborhoods. To stay involved with the greater Naples area, BCC offers 24 hours of paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) annually.
“Volunteer Time Off reflects the Collier family’s long-standing value of community involvement, allowing our employees the freedom to serve others while preserving their personal time,” said Jamie Thompson, director of human resources. “As we continue to grow as a company, we want to make sure future generations continue to honor this commitment started by Barron G. Collier.”
The popularity of companies offering paid VTO is increasing as employees look to have more work-life balance. Offering a VTO policy has been shown to enhance employee engagement and retention as many individuals say work commitments are their largest obstacle to volunteering. Companies offering volunteer benefits are seen as having a better workplace environment as well and view this as more beneficial than other company-related events.
In addition to offering individual VTO hours, employees can join company-sponsored days of service several times a year. This year, divisions of BCC employees volunteered with Habitat for Humanity’s “Build Day” and Grace Place for Children and Families food pantry services. At both service days, team members worked with people outside of their departments and engaged in new activities away from their desks while serving missions they’re passionate about.
“I participated in the most recent Habitat for Humanity Build Day,” said Nick Kouloheras, senior land manager. “It was a great opportunity to support the organization locally and to get to know my co-workers outside of the office. Giving back to my community is something I have always loved doing and being able to work for a company that encourages that means the world to me.”
Beyond hands-on volunteering, BCC proudly supports several local nonprofits through sponsorships and financial contributions from our Barron Collier Jr. Foundation. Regularly partnering with organizations which address environmental stewardship, attainable housing and education, epitomizing our long-standing prioritization of supporting our employees and the community in everything we do.
VTO Day at Grace Place for Children & Families:
