Members from our Memphis/Little Rock Civil Group and Flowood Natural Resources Group joined forces to celebrate Pickering’s 75^th year through Service and Good Work. Throughout the month of April, the team (“Team April”) went above and beyond by donating hours of service and needed items to the community. Time spent at places like Pinelake Church’s Community Can Drive, Lichterman Nature Center and Mid-South Food Bank allowed Pickering to work with other volunteers in their areas and connect with their communities. Team April also took steps to make our offices more green by streamlining our recycling operations and encouraging the use of reusable water bottles.

Individual monetary donations to approximately 25 different local and national organizations were made by Team April. These donations were in excess of $1,700.

Our Civil Group donated not only their time for a community clean up, but their work hours to Shelby Farms Park in Memphis. Having previously worked on park renovations, Pickering was familiar with the site and was in a position to provide pro bono engineering services to increase parking capacity to help keep up with the park’s increase in demand and use. Work included site planning, grading and drainage and landscaping reconfiguration. 

Our Flowood, MS Natural Resources Group kept up the pace by beautifying their public spaces. Several members of Team April were able to participate in Operation Trash Bash in Madison, MS, where they cleaned up trash from Strawberry Patch Park and the neighboring community.

Equally as important, Team April celebrated each other and themselves. Coworker appreciation was shown by sharing donuts, favorite recipes and coffee. Team members also increased focus on themselves and their health by cutting out sugary drinks, making time to run, bike and walk, and social media fasting.

Reflecting on last month’s intention towards service, Team Co-Captain and Cheerleader, Kelsey Rivers, says “For me, the 75 Acts challenge has brought attention to the margin I have in my everyday life. I want to get and stay in the habit of looking for opportunities to serve and consider others around me. It’s been very rewarding to serve in the community in new ways with people I already work with on a daily basis.”