Fall 2020
McDonald’s Awards John Page Global Volunteer Honor and $25,000 for GSF Foundation
In September, McDonald’s announced GSF’s John Page among the six winners of its inaugural Global Volunteer Awards, which include a $25,000 cash prize for each honoree’s favorite charity. As Senior Corporate Vice President, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Legal Officer for GSF, John passionately and generously champions philanthropy through his steadfast involvement in numerous nonprofits, including GSF Foundation, Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

"What an incredible testament to John’s whole-hearted belief in paying it forward. John embodies GSF’s Creed and Values through and through, and our customer has recognized him among so many volunteers around the globe who selflessly give of their time, talent and treasure to serve others."

– Mark Wetterau, GSF Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
and GSF Foundation Board Chairman
In spring of 2019 during U.S. National Volunteer Week, McDonald’s invited its “McFamily” to nominate anyone in the McDonald’s System who’s passionate about a charitable cause and actively dedicates their time and talent to make a meaningful difference in others’ lives. From hundreds of worldwide nominations, McDonald’s selected 12 finalists, including John in the Youth Opportunities category, and awarded each finalist a $2,500 grant, which John donated to GSF Foundation.

The $25,000 award that John received will support the GSF Foundation in feeding 100,000 food-insecure children and families. Currently, he serves as Board Member and Communications Committee member for the GSF Foundation. Previously, John was on the Board of Trustees for Tuskegee University and now holds the position of immediate past Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He has also volunteered as Chairman of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC).

“I appreciate the opportunity to represent GSF, our Creed and Values, and the GSF Foundation through this recognition. I’m also thankful for Mark Wetterau, our generous CEO, and all my colleagues for encouraging and supporting my volunteering. So many of our fellow associates inspire me by who and how you are. We are all so blessed to have the opportunity to give back to our communities through the GSF Foundation!”

– John Page, GSF Senior Corporate Vice President, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Legal Officer
Read the full story and view a video on the McDonald’s website here.
“Can’t Stop the Good” Associate Campaign Raises Funds and Celebrates Volunteers
This year’s annual GSF Foundation Associate Campaign, themed “Can’t Stop the Good," raised over $600,000 in funds and celebrated volunteers with dozens of meetings and activities across the U.S. in September. Achieving 74% overall campaign participation, many local committees improved their year-over-year results, including:
 
  • GSF Conyers
  • GSF Opelika
  • KanPak New York
  • QCD Charlotte
  • QCD Fontana
  • QCD Miami
  • QCD Orlando
  • QCD Phoenix
  • QCD Portland
  • QCD San Antonio

“Especially this year with children and families experiencing so much hardship, our unstoppable associates have stepped up and dedicated their time, talent and treasure to help others. Our 26 local committees and their chairs did an amazing job engaging associates and sharing all the ways we can live out our GSF Creed and Values through the Foundation. And, special thanks go to Lee Gragnano, the 2021 Associate Campaign Chair, for championing this year’s efforts with so much heart!”

– Tess McAnena, GSF Foundation Executive Director
 
Since its inception in 2002, GSF Foundation volunteers have collectively generated $57 million from their own donations to serve more than 600 nonprofits and schools. During nearly two decades of associate-led, associate-funded philanthropy, the Foundation has donated 1.2 million meals to food-insecure families, 137,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, over 25,000 pairs of shoes to elementary school children, and nearly 8,000 bikes to children in need.

With all the support generated through this year’s Associate Campaign, the good works won’t stop there! View this video to learn more.
GSF Foundation Launches Refreshed Website
This fall, GSF Foundation revealed its newly revamped website at gsffoundation.org. With enhanced functionality, the refreshed website features news, programs, testimonials, partners, leadership, locations, and donations. Additionally, the Foundation's website now includes a convenient list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

"We're leveraging the best available website tools to keep our communications channels modern and engaging. To make the most of this opportunity to tell our story externally, this project involved a collaborative team effort between the Foundation and Global Branding and Communications."​​

– Jason Van Dorn, Manager, Global Branding and Multimedia Production
Arkansas City, Frisco, and Irvine Committees Lead Third Quarter 2020 Volunteer Hours
For the first three quarters of 2020, GSF Foundation volunteerism collectively totaled nearly 1,300 hours of supporting neighbors in need in the communities where associates live and work. Congratulations to the Foundation teams in Arkansas City, Kansas; Frisco, Texas; and Irvine, California for leading all local Foundation Committees in third quarter volunteer hours.
Volunteers Honored with Golden Heart Awards
The Foundation’s fourth annual Golden Heart Awards honored the KanPak Arkansas City Committee, as well as honorable mentions for QCD Charlotte and KanPak Penn Yan. The exemplary efforts of the Foundation's volunteer communications chairs ranged from content development to on-site Foundation signage to associate campaign implementations.

A repeat winner from 2017, the Arkansas City team seized many opportunities to create compelling, vibrant visuals and share frequent, detailed updates on Foundation activities. Additionally, the Arkansas City Committee Chair, Connie Shire, served as a media spokeswoman during several broadcast interviews about KanPak’s surplus bottled milk donation to local food banks.
GSF Foundation In the News
The Finger Lakes Times reported on KanPak Penn Yan's Back(pack) to School program in a story about the Foundation's tradition of making a difference in the local Yates County community of Upstate New York. The story quotes Melissa Nolan, the GSF Foundation's KanPak Penn Yan Chairwoman, who said:

“We believe every child deserves to begin their academic career with the tools necessary to become a successful student. We are thrilled to donate backpacks and supplies to students in need, especially during these challenging and uncertain times.”
Sharing Your Stories
GSF Foundation's newest committee at QCD's corporate headquarters in Frisco, Texas put plenty of heart into its first-ever Associate Campaign. In September, the Frisco team held an entire week of themed "Can't Stop The Good" celebrations and volunteering activities. From coloring book kits and guest speakers to heart hunts and prizes galore, volunteers whole-heartedly embraced the opportunity to raise funds and give back through the Foundation.
"There’s nothing more rewarding that giving back and making a difference in children’s lives within our communities. I am very proud of how the Frisco team came together and embraced the Foundation. With their passion and support, we have been able to positively impact so many families in a very short period of time.”

– Brande Bond, GSF Foundation Frisco Chair
Meet Shellie Frey
Shellie Frey, Group Vice President, Global Branding and Communications, serves the national GSF Foundation as a Board Member and Chair of the Communications Committee. She joined GSF 18 years ago and offices in Irvine, California. Here are five things to know about Shellie:

  1. For the last few years, Shellie has served on the Board of Directors of OneOC, which has helped non-profits and corporations achieve greater impact in the communities they serve for more than 60 years.
  2. As she continues to lead global communication strategies to support GSF’s overall success, one goal Shellie will focus on in the months ahead is finishing a book project about GSF’s values-based culture.
  3. In her leisure time, Shellie enjoys water skiing, snow skiing, riding motorcycles, playing tennis, dancing, and traveling (which she hopes to resume as soon as it's safe enough to do so!)
  4. Shellie's favorite quote: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” (Albert Einstein)
  5. Most people probably don’t know that Shellie's first job, during high school, was playing various characters in Disneyland's Main Street “Fantasy On Parade.”