[Rancho Cordova, CA., Feb. 28, 2019] – Last Thursday, Cordova Recreation & Park District (CRPD) hosted a Wellness Potluck Luncheon focused on financial health for all employees. Thanks to Golden 1 Credit Union and CalPERS, employees were not only given insight to the benefits of financial freedom but were also able to build relationships with these partners, creating lasting resources for their future. During this luncheon, CRPD appropriated the financial-thoughtfulness theme to raise money for the Children's Funding Assistance program. This event showcased values of both employers: supporting staff by providing resources and opportunities in their personal and professional lives, and a commitment to giving back to the community.
Every year CRPD's Human Resource Manager, Andrea White, organizes a health and wellness potluck. This year, she shifted the focus slightly to honor CRPD's District Administrator's theme of 2019 "health and wealth." Coinciding with the Chinese New Year "year of the pig" philosophy, financial health is an equally important factor to consider when reviewing personal physical wellness. Researchers of social science and medicine everywhere have seen "money worries contribute to health worries," including actual physical effects of financial stress: migraines, cardiovascular disease, insomnia, mental health (depression and mood disorder) all leading to absences from work (Nall, 2017 - everydayhealth.com).
Because of the health issues that can stem from financial strains (such as personal debt and home foreclosures), Andrea and CRPD felt it was evidently important to focus on helping their employees maintain financial stability, in turn eliminating any potential stress-inducing situations. To do so, Andrea looked to potential partners, specifically financial professionals, to bring awareness and education on the financial resources and benefits to her fellow employees.
"These potluck events really contribute to CRPD culture and the unity of our team because we don’t all get to see each other often. So, these opportunities not only give us time to socialize, recognize each other’s' accomplishments and feel like a team, it also gives me a chance to remind people or let them know who and what their resources are," Andrea said.
"Last year's lunch focused on physical health, like joining walking groups or sports, but this year we wanted to focus on financial wellness, because we have really great partners available to us as resources. Golden 1 and CalPERS were excited to come share their knowledge with our employees and I am grateful to have them as an additional resource to me, too," Andrea said.
Not only did CRPD's Management team demonstrate financial conscientiousness at this event, they also prioritized sustainability in gifts provided and the allocation of potluck leftovers. Post-luncheon, all leftover vegetables and fruits were donated to the animals of the Hagan Community Barn. In addition, a speaker from the Golden 1 team gifted CRPD employees with local honey produced by young community entrepreneurs, students of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.
Golden 1 Credit Union Membership Development Officer, Anson Call witnessed something special about CRPD's staff during the luncheon. "What impressed me most was how CRPD’s staff was so eager to donate to the scholarship fund that offers programs to families who could not otherwise afford it. People were lining up to buy raffle tickets before they even took their seats. I have been at events before where those selling raffle tickets went from table to table to try to solicit donations. With CRPD, staff seemed to savor the opportunity to help with the scholarship program," Call said.
Call also believes in the importance of partnerships being dedicated to the betterment of a community and overall providing service to others. "Golden 1 and CRPD are both about people helping people. Where CRPD helps people by encouraging them to enjoy the outdoors and be active, Golden 1 is committed to helping people by encouraging them to take a proactive role in their financial health," Call said.
About CRPD: Cordova Recreation & Park District is one of the largest independent special districts in Northern California serving over 120,000 residents and four school districts in the greater Sacramento area. CRPD provides over 40 parks and recreational facilities, as well as youth & adult sports, camps, enrichment classes, educational programs and special events for the community.
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