At Opus1, behind every line of code and every customer conversation is a team of people who care deeply about their communities. This July, we wanted to give that care a dedicated moment to shine.
That’s why we launched July Gives Back, encouraging every Opus1 team member to take a day of PTO and spend it volunteering for a cause that matters to them. Whether that meant helping at a local nonprofit, supporting an animal shelter, cleaning up a park, mentoring a student, or showing up for their community in another way, the idea was simple: give people the time, and they’ll use it well.
Our team didn’t disappoint. Here are just a few of the stories we’re proud to share.
Lauren Masterson, VP of Product: 18 Years and Counting with HOBY
For Lauren, July Gives Back was a chance to return to something she’s been doing for nearly two decades. She spent a weekend volunteering with NJ Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), a nonprofit that teaches leadership skills to high school students, working alongside a group of 16 and 17 year olds from across the state as they built confidence and talked through the change they hope to create in the world.
This was Lauren’s 18th year volunteering with HOBY, and one of her favorites yet. Her daughter, Mya, joined her for the weekend, turning a long-standing personal tradition into a shared one.
“It’s always one of my favorite weekends of the year,” she said. “I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking to get involved in their community.” HOBY has chapters in nearly every state and in several countries, making it an accessible way for others to get involved too.
CC Cronquist, HR Generalist: Helping Kids Shop for School
CC spent her July Gives Back day at the PTA Clothing Center, an organization that has provided clothing and school essentials to kids in the Portland area since the 1960s. The Center recently moved into a new space at a nearby school, so CC’s day included plenty of hands-on work: assembling clothing racks, unpacking boxes, sorting donations, and getting the new space organized.
The best part of the day, though, came from a much smaller moment. CC helped a young girl find the perfect item during her shopping trip: a K-Pop Demon Hunters jacket that made her day.
“It was such a rewarding way to spend a day,” CC said. “I’m really glad I got the chance to help, and I definitely plan on going back.”
Shari McGrath, VP of Customer Experience: Improving Food and Resource Access
Shari volunteered with a local food and resource access charity and is already planning her next visit, this time bringing along a collection of baby supplies her kids have outgrown.
While she was there, Faith, a staff member at the organization, mentioned that they hadn’t had many volunteers lately. It was a reminder of just how much a single day can mean, both to the people being served and to the volunteer showing up.
“It’s been too long since I last volunteered,” she said. “I forgot how great it feels.”
Community, One Day at a Time
Lauren, CC, and Shari are just three of the many Opus1 team members who took part in July Gives Back this year.
We started this program because we believe that supporting the communities we live in matters just as much as supporting the schools we serve. We’re grateful to every team member who took the time this July, and we’re already looking forward to next year.
