Helping Out
Boddie-Noell Enterprises values our commitment to leadership in the communities we serve. We believe in investing in people, and our employees proudly support a variety of charitable causes reaching out to those in need.
Messages from the Troops
The Boddie-Noell Home Office continues to collect "goodies" to package and ship to members of our extended family serving overseas. Through financial and in-kind donations, our staff ships these boxes every other month with the goal of letting these valued troops know how much we appreciate their service on our behalf.
In addition to the package we sent to SGM Trombley, packages were sent to the following relatives of employees serving in the Armed Forces and stationed overseas:
Deneen Glasco's Nephew (Construction), Allan A. Glasco III (Chris)
Cathy Panther's Son (GM at Hardee's of Chase City), SPC William Dickenson
Judy Medlin's Grandson (Payroll/Benefits), PFC Quinn, Tyler
Kyle Trombley's Father (Field Engineer), SGM Michael V. Trombley
We send our sincere thanks to all of our family members working hard to defend our nation and keep us safe!
Simple Footsteps Change Lives
Members of the Boddie-Noell family walked in support of their co-worker, friend, and family member, Alicia Robinson, in the Relay for Life event on April 25-26 in Nash County. At just 29 years of age, the accounting specialist with BNE lost her battle with breast cancer.
"As a company, we rallied behind our family member in remembrance of her fight against this awful disease," said Dee Sloop, an accountant with BNE and co-captain of the Home Office Relay team.
For the past five years, BNE has raised money in support of the Nash County Relay for Life event. The all-night event celebrates those who have survived cancer, remembers all the lives lost, and fights back against a disease that touches so many. As participants, Boddie-Noell employees are helping to raise money and awareness to support the American Cancer Society in its lifesaving mission to elimante cancer as a major health issue.
"Our biggest motivator has been the number of survivors we have within the company as well as the family members and friends of our employees that are survivors," said Sloop, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor.
The group set a fundraising goal of $5,000 and held numerous fundraising events throughout the year to work toward the goal. For example, at Easter, employees paid to have their kids' pictures taken with the Easter bunny - an employee who volunteered to dress up and sit with the children for the photos. The event raised more than $500 towards the goal.
Employees at the Home Office entered into a spirited competition between the building's three floors. Two water jugs were placed on each floor to collect coins and dollars. For every penny donated, the floor received one point.
At the event, the BNE All Stars team sold handcrafted purses designed by its members. Those same members took turns walking the track at the Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium.
"Alicia motivated a lot of us...it doesn't matter how old you are or what nationality you are, this disease touches everybody," Sloop said, "and we hope our footsteps will help to wipe out cancer so there will be no more tears."
BNE Team Raises More Than $1 Million for Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Boddie-Noell sale of paper shamrocks has added up to a lot of green. This year the BNE team worked together to raise more than $300,000 for MDA, putting the total amount BNE has raised over the past 10 years at more than $1 million.
This year's contribution marks one of the largest donations in the Carolinas and Virginia and will send 463 children affected by muscular dystrophy to a week long MDA camp through funds raised in the "Shamrocks Against Dystrophy" campaign.
"We are very appreciative of all efforts in supporting this extremely worthwhile cause," President, Restaurant Operations, Mike Boddie, said. "We're proud to know that our contributions help enable local children to attend MDA camp this year."
Beginning February 12, all BNE restaurants sold $1 shamrocks to its customers. Fundraising for the campaign ended on St. Patrick's Day, and by March 17, Boddie-Noell had exceeded its fundraising goal, raising a total of $300,914. It takes approximately $650 to send a child to MDA camp.
MDA supports research aimed at conquering the 43 neuromuscular diseases that affect more than one million Americans.
"For the past nine years, Boddie-Noell executives and associates have been tremendous in their support of the MDA," said Todd Hermon, Divisional Vice President of the MDA. "Their effort with Shamrocks is unparalleled in the communities they do business. they are one of our top contributors each year."
In Focus: BNE Helping Hands Program
Implemented June 2007, Helping Hands provides financial assistance to BNE employees during times of personal crisis. Currently, 2,669 employees contribute to the voluntary program. Vice President of Benefits and Compensation, Nanette Herbert, said the company exceeded its goal for contributions in the first year.
When Boddie-Noell employee Jennifer Hale stopped by her mom's house just two weeks before Christmas, she never expected what she would find. "I had gone over to take presents I'd purchased to her, " explanied Jennifer, who works as a shift supervisor at Hardee's in Lebanon, Va. "She wouldn't answer the door. I went inside and found her in bed."
At 46 years old, Jennifer's mom passed away from most likely a heart attack. Without life insurance or financial resources, Jennifer was faced with few options until her DM gave her information on the employee-sponsored Helping Hands program.
"I really don't know what I would have done if it hadn't been for Helping Hands," Jennifer said. "That much money is hard to come by as a single mother, and it helped relieve some of the stress during a very difficult time."
The generous support of BNE employees is clearly embodied in the program. "Helping Hands lets eveyone know that they have something to fall back on and that this company is here for you," she said.
A clear demonstration of BNE's motto, "We Believe in People," Helping Hands represents a formal approach to the notion of "lending a helping hand" and is designed to offer needed assistance during events such as an acute illness, natural disaster, fire, or flood.
BNE employee Brittany Blount knows all too well the impact of an unexpected crisis. A cashier with Hardee's in Moyock, NC, Brittany lost her home in a house fire on February 14.
Brittany and her two girls, ages four and one, had to quickly find a new home. Helping Hands helped Brittany get established in a new apartment in Elizabeth City, NC.
"It made me feel good to know that the people I work with care about me," Brittany said. "You don't find too many companies that provide this type of help for their employees. I'm so grateful to Boddie-Noell."
Moe's Southwest Grill Partners with Toys for Tots
Moe's Southwest Grill played Santa this past year by partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Across the nation, Moe's restaurants served as designated drop-off locations for the community-based program that distributes toys to needy children. From mid November through December 20, Moe's restaurants collected new, unwrapped toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign was conducted.
Moe's involvement in the program was aimed at making the holidays brighter for children in the communities in which it operates. "The Toys for Tots program really makes an impact on the lives of needy families in our area that need a little extra help during the holiday season," said Christina Young general manager of the Strafford Hills Moe's restaurant located in Richmond, VA.
Young's store collected toys ranging from electronic games to learning tools, targeted for infants through teenagers. Customers donated enough toys to fill three boxes, which were large enough to hold 48 gallon-sized milk jugs. "Several customers commented to me that they were thankful to be able to give back a portion of what had been give to them over their lifetimes."
Since the program's start in 1947, more than 332.5 million toys have been distributed to 158.7 million needy children. Last year alone, Toys for Tots delivered 19.2 million toys.
Employees First Source for Education Scholarship Winner
Congratulations to Brenda Springston of Stuart, VA, this years EmployeesFirst Source for Education Scholarship winner. Brenda is studying for an Arts and Science Degree at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Boddie-Noell partnered with Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading provider of funding for education, to offer its employees the EmployeesFirst Source for Education, a one-stop resource offering everything needed to plan and pay for an undergraduate education. Visit www.Employees1st.com for details on how to prepare and pay for you or your child’s education
Betty Jean Oxendine Scholarship Winner
Congratulations to Morgan German of Rocky Mount, NC, this year’s recipient of the Betty Jean Oxendine Scholarship. Morgan is studying Nursing at Barton College in Wilson, NC.
Scholarship America
The Independent Hardee’s Franchise Association Scholarship Program was established by the IHFA to assist Hardee’s employees who plan to continue education in college or a vocational school program. This terrific resource for Boddie-Noell employees, administered by Scholarship America, awards $1,000 for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice. Of the 24 recipients of the 2007 IHFA Scholarship, five were Boddie-Noell employees. We certainly hope to have this many or more in 2008!
Arlington Place Gives Local Youth Opportunity to Attend Summer Camp
Summer camp is a much-anticipated time and experience for many youth worldwide and a positive force in their development. Whether through hiking, campfires, or sailing, kids grow and learn. More than 200 deserving youth will now have this same opportunity as a result of Arlington Place’s gift of $24,000 to Camp Seafarer and Camp Seagull, which neighbor the residential development. The monies target local kids from Pamlico County and will subsidize the cost of camp for kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend. In addition to the two-week day camps, the monies will fund the Learn to Swim and Teen programs. "Summer camp teaches children self-reliance and independence," said Doug Anderson, president of BNE Land and Development. "It also teaches them teamwork and good values… just the basics of life." "We believe we have an obligation, as neighbors, to give something back to the community and this is a perfect partnership with Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer for deserving children in Pamlico County," Anderson said. The contribution, which is the largest single gift intended for Pamlico County youth that the camps have ever received, comes from funds set aside from the sale of each Arlington Place property. News of the gift has been featured in several local media outlets, including Sun Journal, The Pamlico News and WCTI-T
Texas Teams Walk for a Cure
Team TEXAS 8051 in Christiansburg, Va., raised $4,300 and provided a dinner to cancer survivors. At the overnight event, TEXAS employees took turns walking around the track at a local high school. Two employees, Jason Clary and Matt Ridley, stayed up all night representing the restaurant. Relay for Life events raise money to help the American Cancer Society in its mission to save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer and empower individuals to fight back. Another TEXAS team participated in the Princeton, Va., relay and raised $4000. This team included cancer survivor Regina Caine. "When we first talked about participating in this event," McClanahan recalled, "Regina cried at our meeting, along with the rest of the staff." The restaurants will participate again next year. "We are proud to be a part of TEXAS and its support of Relay for Life," McClanahan said. "This is part of our vision, values, credo and everything that we do."
Sadly, it won’t bring back TEXAS employee Reese McClanahan’s sister-in-law, who lost her fight against breast cancer last year, but it might help prevent others from becoming sick. Two teams from TEXAS Steakhouse and Saloon raised money and participated in Relay for Life events held in their community… in a strong show of support for all those individuals affected each year by cancer.
Inspirational Special Olympics Athletes
"The courage of these athletes is an inspiration," President of Restaurant Operations, Mike Boddie said. "We’re proud of our employees and guests for a very successful campaign." "It has been proven that Special Olympic athletes do better in school, at work and at home than their peers who do not participate in the year-round Special Olympic program," Boddie said. "Boddie-Noell focuses on providing leadership and life-skills training to our employees, and we are privileged to be associated with another organization that does the same." Hardee’s employees relished the opportunity to volunteer at the event. The Virginia Summer Games is the largest state competition held annually. The event began on Friday evening with opening ceremony activities. More than 1,400 athletes from across the state competed in bowling, power lifting, softball, swimming, tennis and track and field. "It has been truly rewarding for the volunteers from our company to meet new athletes each year as well as to visit with the ones that compete year after year."
It takes special strength, hard work, determination and respect to make it in this competition. Those special talents are what inspired Hardee’s Region 3 employees who volunteered at the Virginia Summer Games.
Veterans Memorial at Jack Laughery Park Dedicated
"I was extremely pleased with the dedication ceremony that was held on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2007, on the former site of the first Hardee’s restaurant. It was truly a great day for the city of Rocky Mount. I have lived here all my life, and I’ve honestly never witnessed an event that was conducted in such a professional manner. Jack Laughery and all veterans deserve the dignity and respect that were displayed at the dedication." - Mayo Boddie Sr. The event marked the successful completion of a fundraising effort started in May 2007 by Mayo Boddie Sr. to fund and construct the memorial. Response to the request for funds was overwhelming. Laughery’s friends generously answered Mayo’s call to honor Jack and the country that he loved so much. Contributions poured in from 21 states, totaling more than $600,000 in less than six months. The Veterans Memorial honors veterans of military service in each of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Several features represent and honor the branches, including five flags that fly in honor of reach branch. The memorial also honors individual veterans killed in action or missing in action. Brick pavers fill the fountain and contain the names of these veterans, organized by conflict: World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East. The memorial is a beautiful, lasting tribute to those that have served our country so selflessly.
Hardee’s Latin Fest Embraces Diverse Audience
Local Latin American residents felt right at home with the sound of meringue music, the smell of authentic Latin food and the vibrant colors of Latin American flags. Hardee’s Latin Fest, recently held at the Beachstreet Seaside Palladium, treated more than 15,000 Virginia Beach residents to a Hispanic-culture immersion. "This event is a great way for the Hispanic community to come together to celebrate their unique culture," Senior VP of Marketing, Jerry Allsbrook said. The first of its kind, the event featured live music, dancing, food from a variety of countries, and arts and crafts. Hardee’s sponsored and promoted the event through radio, newspaper and cable television ads, a direct mail campaign and signage in area restaurants. The event represents one way Hardee’s continues to embrace diversity. Allsbrook added,"Hardee’s is passionate about reaching out to the diverse group of cultural groups and communities we serve."
2007 Special Olympics
On April 20, 35 volunteers from the Home Office assisted with the Softball Throw at the Rocky Mount Special Olympics. Boddie-Noell Enterprises has been a strong supporter of the Special Olympics for the past 27 years, and it has been a truly rewarding experience. Our volunteers enjoy meeting new athletes each year as well as visiting with the familiar faces of athletes that compete year after year. The individuals that compete in the Special Olympics exhibit courage and a great zest for life, which is inspiring for all of us.
EmployeesFirst Source for Education
Boddie-Noell Enterprises, Inc., The EmployeesFirst Source for Education and Sallie Mae are pleased to announce the recipient of the third annual EmployeesFirst Source for Education in Scholarship Program.
Congratulations to Deneen Glasco of Rocky Mount, NC, this years scholarship winner. Deneen is a Boddie-Noell employee and has received a $1,000 scholarship to continuing her studies in Religious, Educational Counseling at the New Grace Bible Institute in Rocky Mount, NC.
Betty Jean Oxedine Scholarship Winner
Congratulations to Kaylee McMahan of New Castle, VA, this year's recipient of the Betty Jean Oxendine Scholarship. Kaylee is studying to become a Physician Assistant at Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, VA.
Boddie-Noell created this scholarship in memory of Betty Jean Oxendine, a Boddie-Noell employee with an optimistic, exuberant personality and a bright future ahead of her. Tragically, at 18 years of age, Betty Jean lost her life during a robbery at Hardee's of Lumberton in 1998. Through this memorial scholarship in her honor, Boddie-Noell hopes to help other young people with promising futures achieve their goals.
Boddie-Noell Recognizes Armed Forces Personnel
Boddie-Noell believes in the work the Armed Forces are doing overseas and the great contributions these individuals are making to our country. To show our appreciation, we send a care package every other month to each relative of all employees that are serving overseas.
Saying Goodbye and Hello
Rocky Mount residents and Hardee's employees got together to say goodbye to Rocky Mount's first Hardee's while also taking time to welcome in the site's new planned use, the Rocky Mount Veterans Memorial and Jack Laughery Park. The memorial and park is a fitting tribute to the man who did so much for Hardee's as its longtime chief executive officer, the Rocky Mount community and its residents.
'There would be no free enterprise without our veterans' contributions to their country,' explained our very own Mayo Boddie Sr., a longtime friend of Jack and his family, 'and we're honoring Jack because of the kind of man he was. He was just a tremendous asset and a great riend to his community and to his country.'
Coloring Contest
Each year we have a coloring contest with local Kindergarten & Pre-K classes. The Chase City Police Chief, Jay Jordan, judges the pictures every year. The children look forward to seeing their picture hung on the wall. We enjoy the Bunny pictures as they decorate our stores. Customers often come to point out their child's or grandchild's coloring. - Annette Durden and Gracie Tucker, Chase City Hardee's
