When people ask me why I love my job, LendaHand Week pretty much sums it up.  

My team and I get to make a real difference in the lives of others while inspiring our coworkers, friends, and families to do the same. And we get to have a ton of fun doing it. How great is that? 

LendaHand Week was our chance to bring together some of our favorite people and organizations for a series of fun and purposeful events. It was our first time hosting the annual program, and I already can’t wait for next year. While this year’s events were based in Charlotte, we’re planning to expand and include all our LendingTree offices and communities across the country in the future. 

Through the combined efforts of our Corporate Citizenship team and the LendingTree Foundation, LendaHand Week offered hands-on service opportunities and social gatherings for our LendingTree employees, including a “spread some cheer” event where we surprised local elementary school teachers with treats and a “raise a beer” fundraising happy hour for the Dottie Rose Foundation to support girls in tech. 

But that was only the beginning – it turns out you can pack a lot into a week! We held a diaper derby that collected more than 1,000 diapers for families in need, we placed a holiday giving tree in company headquarters where employees could pick an ornament and fulfill a child’s holiday wish, and we packed more than 100 outreach kits filled with essential supplies for Charlotte Rescue Mission. 

No doubt the highlight of the week was the Game of Codes event, hosted by the LendingTree Foundation in partnership with Hornets Venom GT, Dottie Rose Foundation, Do Greater CLT, and Digi-Bridge. Game of Codes invited 15 elementary school students to attend a three-week course on coding and present their final projects to a panel of judges, including Hornets Venom GT players and local tech company leaders, at the Spectrum Center. It was an invaluable opportunity for kids to learn more about tech and the gaming industry. 

I’m so grateful to the 123 LendingTree employees and 10 local organizations that participated in our LendaHand Week and made it such a success. Our work simply wouldn’t be possible without your time and effort – thank you! 

As the Corporate Citizenship team, we are continuing to execute on our strategy for both Corporate Philanthropy and the LendingTree Foundation. While we have a long list of goals and work to achieve, the enthusiasm and generosity I saw during LendaHand Week gave me hope that we’re going to accomplish great things together!