Each year, the entire team at McGrath Real Estate participate in about five group training days, away from the office, and where the focus is on giving back to the community, developing an increased sense of gratitude, respect and empathy for others and and learning together side by side.
Most recently, the team decided to promote the wonderful work done by Mary’s Soup Kitchen on Jetty Road. Established in 2002 in honour of Ray McGrath’s late wife, Mary, the service is run entirely by volunteers and provides meals and support for those in need throughout greater Glenelg. A dream of Mary’s for so long, it is an inspiration to see its continued success almost a decade later.
So a challenge was set; take twenty dollars and turn it into two meals for fifty people. The only rules; the meals had to include all 5 food groups, and be packaged by 3pm, ready for delivery to Mary’s Soup Kitchen.
As the challenge began, it became overwhelmingly obvious just how generous the community was prepared to be; one after the other local businesses willingly made donations of cash and produce to assist with the cause.
Moments of creative brillance emerged, with teams roping in friends and family for financial support, and venturing into new territory for market monopolization. One resourceful crew even flagged down a passing motorist (and friend) who joyfully became their driver for the day as the treasure hunt spread wide!
As the cook-off got underway in the kitchen of Holdfast Bay Bowling Club, realization of just what was being achieved was becoming apparent. Yes this was a day full of fun away from the office, but moreso it was a reflection of the compassion within us all. The meals created for Mary’s Soup Kitchen were real and measurable and would nourish those that needed them most. But it was the intangible effects, those that weren’t quite so visible, that would resonate the loudest.
The day brought McGrath Real Estate even closer as a team, built workplace camaraderie and community spirit that is immeasurable in its enormity, and made for one extroadinarily proud general manager, Joh Graney.
“This challenge was a fabulous example of the invisible that creates the visible with outstanding consequences; every member of my team should congratulate themselves on a job well done”.
“On behalf of us all, a huge thank you to the many businesses and community members that were involved – your generosity was simply overwhelming”.
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