The foundation of a respected consulting firm like Richter Healthcare Consultants goes beyond our service lines and processes. We also provide a foundation of responsiveness and responsibility. This is true not just in our actions on behalf of clients but also in our actions on behalf of our community, both near and far.  

Making Community and Client Connections

When we are engaged by a new client, we do all that we can to get to know their organization and culture.  We respond by “liking” their page on Facebook, we comment on their happenings and events.  We “follow” them and their key employees on LinkedIn.  We take note of their individual and group accomplishments and celebrate along with them.  We love to see positive and upbeat news about the senior living industry and share it whenever we can.  It helps to connect all of us to the people who work and live at our client locations. Nothing beats seeing someone turn 100 years old, a nursing assistant win an award for caring, congratulating a community on a deficiency free survey.  Those events make our day.

When a client such as a retirement community, Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) or Home Health/Hospice agency has a fundraiser, we get involved.  We buy tickets to dinners, we bring cases of water and snacks to the race, we provide support for the golf outings, we do what we can. It’s fun to dress up for the Gala but just as much fun to “Adopt a Resident” so that someone will know that they are remembered and thought of on a special day such as Christmas.

Our staff has always been involved with various organizations and efforts that benefit others.  It is common to see candy bar and gift wrap sales, sausage and cheese board trays, cookie orders, etc. in the break room. Organizations sell candy bars as a fundraiser for a reason!  I haven’t seen any broccoli sales yet.  We routinely have a food drive in process to benefit our local hunger center.  Some of our employees who are premier coupon masters will bring in cleaning products, toiletries, etc. that are not available easily to those using food stamps and in need.  We have joined together for the Shoe Box Ministry whereby local churches saved shoeboxes and then reached out to companies to provide the little gifts and fillings to distribute to children around the world.  That was a fun project.  We donated 100 boxes full of trinkets, necessities, a little candy and a whole lot of love and wishes.  

Just last week, we started our annual drive for donations of CDs, books, DVDs for the local Veteran’s residential facility. This is in addition to a clothing drive for the Vets.  Employees will also spend lunch hours in late fall addressing holiday greeting cards for soldiers away from home during the holidays.  Those of us who travel regularly for work save our hotel toiletries and donate them to a domestic violence family shelter for those who fled a dangerous environment without anything.  When we have an employee who embraces a cause such as the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, the Autism Walk, Susan G. Komen Race, etc. we rally with donations and pledges.  Sometimes a team will emerge but always there is encouragement and support for those who are involved.   It’s nothing to put together a quick raffle basket to help raise funds for something.  We recently raised money and had a number of employees use GoFundMe to help a fellow employee’s family member displaced by the floods of New Orleans. A fish fry, spaghetti dinner, and pizza cards are all part of the local fundraising efforts of schools and organizations in our area. They get a lot of support from our team.

While on one hand, it is certainly good from a relationship perspective to be supportive of our community and our clients, we do it because it feels good. We do it because we are responsible to others.  It’s the right thing to do.  And we do it because we can.  It benefits us far more than it benefits the community.  We all agree about that.