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Warming Up. Wakefern, in conjunction with the New Jersey State Police, is working on warming communities one coat at a time. Wakefern is once again excited to support Coats for Kids. Over the last four winters, Wakefern has put brand new coats on more than 1,300 children in need! This is because our associates’ very generous financial donations, support of our bake sales and donations of new coats. This year, our goal is to get over the 1,500-coat milestone.
Visiting the West Wing. Wakefern Executive Vice President Chris Lane attended a bill signing at the White House on Wednesday that eliminated prescription drug gag clauses. The two bills – the Patient Right to Know Prices Act (S, 2554) and the Know the Lowest Price Act (S, 2553) – eliminate gag clauses that previously prevented pharmacists from telling patients when they could save money by paying out of pocket instead of using their insurance plan. These pieces of legislation have bipartisan support. Members of both parties sponsored the original bills.
Fall Fitness. Associates got in a good workout at Wakefern’s annual Fitness Celebration. Dozens of associates kicked off the night by participating in a warm-up workout session on the grass at Raritan Center’s Thomas Edison Park. By 5:15 p.m., it was time for the main event. Associates lined up in front of a yellow banner. At the sound of an air horn, they took off, following the sinuous path as it winded its way through Edison Park. Runners and walkers followed the trail past tennis courts, a soccer field and a friendly family of deer.
The Rewards of Working Out. Wakefern associates have until Sept. 1 to submit their annual fitness reimbursement forms. Wakefern will reimburse you 40 percent of your annual fitness expenses (Sept. 1, 2017 to Sept. 1, 2018) up to a $300 maximum, for eligible weight loss, exercise and/or smoking cessation programs. Note that sports lessons (for example: tennis, golf, swimming) are not reimbursable.
Impressive Proposals. Wakefern’s summer interns made their best pitches at the 2018 Big Idea Challenge. This year’s assignment asked participants to come up with ways to improve Wakefern’s employer brand. Almost everyone in this area knows ShopRite; not nearly as many know Wakefern.
ShopRite Supports Launch of Prescription Drug Safety Program. ShopRite Pharmacy announces its support of Prescription Drug Safety, a new educational initiative to empower New Jersey high school students with the skills to make safe and healthy decisions about prescription medications and understand the dangers of misusing these drugs. The digital program, developed by EVERFI, the nation's leading education technology innovator used in one-in-seven high schools nationwide, will be available this fall in 30 high schools across Essex, Ocean, Monmouth, Gloucester, and Camden counties, all at no cost to the schools.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Before the boys of summer pack up their gloves for the season, associates can catch some minor league baseball and spend some time getting to know their co-workers. Wakefern’s Emerging Professionals Association has organized a night at the ballpark. Associates can join their colleagues at TD Bank Ballpark on Aug. 23 to watch the Somerset Patriots take on the Sugar Land Skeeters.
Pasta Party. Wakefern’s summer interns spent a night working behind the scenes at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. They were assigned to the pasta room, tasked with separating donations into smaller bags. For nearly an hour, they packed and packed. Every time they filled 16 bags, those bags were transferred into a separate box. The boxes would be shipped all over the state, then distributed to local communities. By the end of the night, the interns had completed nearly 2,300 bags – enough to help feed 2,300 families.
Feeding Minds and Bodies. In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – home to one of our Price Rite Marketplace stores – more than 31 percent of the population lives in poverty. But there are plenty of good people in that community willing to help their neighbors. On a recent Thursday morning, Price Rite Marketplace associates spent their day handing out boxes. Twenty-five-pound boxes of food. Fifteen-pound boxes of shampoo, conditioner and personal-care items. Five-pound boxes of Avon products. Every box, along with a supply of fresh produce and children’s summer reading books, was delivered to a family who could use a lift.
A Medical Medal. ShopRite stores in six New York counties have collected more than $1.3 million to support the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, New York. In recognition of their philanthropic efforts, ShopRite Supermarkets was honored at the Westchester Medical Center Health Network’s annual gala. SRS received the 2018 Community Partner Award during a June 2 ceremony at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. Westchester Medical Center also announced it would be adding ShopRite’s name to its Caregiver Center. The ShopRite Caregiver Center provides vital comfort and support to families while loved ones are patients at one of the organization’s medical facilities. On-site staff members help families with everything from grief management to chaplaincy services.