One morning last week, as Team JJ’s List was working another exciting day at the office, we noticed a donation come in from a local business we’d not had contact with before. Curiosity piqued, we decided to reach out to say hi, learn how they’d heard about us, and say thanks. As it turns out, the thing responsible, was the good old cookie…

Cookie Award certificates given to Brella staff

You see, through The Cookie Award each year, staff members at Evanston’s Brella Productions select charities that they’d like to see their company make donations to. Started as a way for employees to recognize their coworkers who go above and beyond the call of duty, employees NOMinate others for the award weekly as a way to say “Thank You” for a job well done. NOMinees then receive a certificate, fresh-baked cookies and $2 to donate to a charity of their choice each Monday. If NOMinees don’t have a charity in mind, they can choose from any charity on the list comprising their co-workers’ choices.

Throughout the year, the company keeps track of totals for each employee’s chosen charity, gives additional funds for greater impact, and, in December, presents each charity with a check of the total amount earned on its behalf. What a great way to encourage encouragement, sustain employee morale, and build a culture of gratitude in the workplace, all while making a difference in the world.

JJ’s List is happy to be one of Brella Productions’ chosen charities of 2012 and would like to thank all staff members who chose to contribute their Cookie Awards to us. Their support will go towards helping people with disabilities build essential employment skills, and helping businesses learn to provide disability-aware customer service.

Have you heard about other innovative ways companies give back to the community? Share your story below!