Hoffman Estates, Ill. - tekservePOS kicked off tekSESSIONS 2009, its annual Retail Technology Conference, with its own version of a popular television show, The Amazing Race. The competition consisted of 12 teams made up of retailers, vendors and tekservePOS employees who’s goal was to race through Woodfield Mall, purchase specific items on a list and race to the finish at an undisclosed location in under an hour. tekservePOS and tekservePOS employees then filled in all the gaps on the list through a charitable holiday gift and internal holiday drive for a total of over $12,000 worth of merchandise benefiting the LYDIA Home / Safe Families of Chicago and retail alike. All items will be delivered Thursday, December 10.
“When Greg Buzek of IHL heard what we were trying to do with tekSESSIONS and the Amazing Retail Race, he recommended we contact the LYDIA Home,” explains John Pruban, President of tekservePOS. “We were so touched by the organization and work that we decided to expand the drive beyond tekSESSIONS to our holiday gift giving and internal drive. The response has been nothing short of amazing and we are so thankful for everyone’s extreme generosity. Between the event and our internal efforts we have been able to not only fill the holiday wish list of over 40 children, but provide them each with school uniforms, general necessities for the house and stock the Safe Family closet with diapers, formula, clothing and toys.”
The Amazing Retail Race event was kept top-secret until that evening when attendees, sponsoring vendors and tekservePOS employees where placed in teams and given vague ground rules. When the whistle blew, teams raced out of the room to find their cars and a driver waiting with a confidential envelope containing a task list, cash and a map of the mall.
Items to be purchased were comprised of things found on a Christmas wish list from the 40 or so children staying at the LYDIA Home as well as items to stock the Safe Family closet. Once all the tasks were completed, teams jumped back in their cars and raced to a local restaurant, Entourage, where they were checked in and enjoyed a reception and some friendly team rivalry. The best part of the evening was that each team purchased everything on their lists.
“The Amazing Retail Race was a fun, creative event, and best of all it will make Christmas very merry for the 40 children who live at LYDIA's Residential Treatment Center,” explains Nancy Good, Development Director, LYDIA Home. “These kids are healing from abuse and neglect, and the gifts they will receive – including necessities and many extras -- will really make a difference in their lives. We are moved by the generosity of tekservePOS and its clients, who participated in The Amazing Retail Race on LYDIA's behalf. Their generosity will really touch the hearts of kids at LYDIA, whose needs are so great.”
After the event, tekservePOS took the money it traditionally spends on customer holiday gifts and instead purchased remaining items on the wish list. Instead of cookies or pens, each customer will receive a holiday card explaining the organization and how their gift money was used. And to round out the holiday season, tekservePOS reached out to its employees and asked for their help in finishing the list.
About LYDIA Homes / Safe Families
LYDIA provides a range of programs, from residential treatment to foster care, counseling to parenting classes, and many offerings in between. LYDIA is based in Chicago, with other locations in the United States as well as an international program. The Safe families program, located in 13 major cities across the U.S., provides volunteer homes for over 1000 children whose families are experiencing short term crisis. Most of its services are supported entirely by private contributions, and volunteers play a vital role in keeping our ministry strong.
Its programs include: Residential Treatment Center, Foster Care, Safe Families for Children,Healthy Families (child abuse prevention), Counseling Centers, Urban Academy (alternative high schools in Chicago and Rockford), Learn& Care (preschool) and WHAT'S GOOD (life skills education). Click here for more information.
About tekservePOS
tekservePOS provides complete POS technology and IT solutions for Retail and Hospitality including POS and IT managed services, POS hardware and software solutions. With an experienced staff and field technician force, tekservePOS handles all technical and field needs from asset management, asset disposal, staging and integration, wiring, maintenance and repair services. With the recent launch of tekRETAIL Suite, a 24/7 Help Desk offering and partnerships with top hardware providers, tekservePOS can help you realize lower costs and greater efficiencies by leveraging our complete, customizable solutions across your IT operations.
Contact tekservePOS:
Dana Harder, Marketing Director
tekservePOS
847-805-9072
marketing@tekservepos.com
Contact LYDIA Home:
Nancy Good
773-653-2252
info@lydiahome.org
