As one of the newest members of the CNP team, I feel very fortunate to say that I work with some of the most generous people I've ever known.

Florida Public Relations Association's Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter recently challenged its members to be a part of an initiative to collect and donate essential hygiene items for the 2,500+ homeless children within the Polk County school system. After hearing of this sad situation, Chris and I set a goal for CNP to collect 16 sets, one from each employee. One set would include shampoo, conditioner, soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, combs, a hairbrush, washcloths and deodorant.

Donations came from everyone on our team, along with family members and clients who noticed we were taking action and wanted to help. What started as a small collection of items on my desk quickly grew to something that could have easily been mistaken for the hygiene aisle at the grocery store.

After weeks of collecting and many trips to the store, we donated more than 40 sets of items for the homeless children in Polk County, more than twice our goal. I couldn't be more proud of my work family.