Fusion was born with one simple mission: to improve the lives of everyone we touch. And we mean everyone. Not just our travelers or internal employees, but also their families, their friends, their pets, and more. Our mission even extends into our community, and we firmly believe that the only way to make a change is to get active and be involved. As Gandhi famously said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
A Year of Community in Review
It’s safe to say 2022 was quite the year for Fusion. We participated in numerous community outreach events throughout the year and got multiple chances to make positive impacts in the lives of others. Let’s take a look!
Drive Fore MS golf tournament
Each spring, Fusion Medical Staffing employees play hooky to hang out at a local golf course. No, we’re not skipping work to practice our swings — we’re there for the Drive Fore Multiple Sclerosis (MS) fundraising event!
The MSForward Gym golf tournament is a yearly event hosted by Fusion Medical Staffing. On this day, members of the Fusion fam let out their competitive side to raise money in support of those with MS.
This year, hundreds of Fusion members in matching blue “Drive Fore MS” t-shirts took to the course and collectively raised $40,160! All proceeds — count them, 100% — were donated to the MSForward Gym.
“It really lends to the fact that there are individuals who believe in what we are doing and care enough about what we are doing here to really go overboard and do some incredible things to make people’s lives better,” said Daryl, the Founder of MSForward Gym. “That’s what the friendship with Fusion Medical Staffing really means.”
Warrior Walk for suicide prevention
Mental health matters. That’s why Fusion participates in and hosts the Warrior Walk each year. This year, in June, the Fusion fam got together at a park near the office and walked (or ran) for suicide prevention, while raising money for The Collective for Hope.
The Collective for Hope is a local nonprofit organization that offers services to those who have experienced loss. Their mission is to “elevate the value of grief companionship and promote healthy survivorship.”
“Everyone has a story,” said Sam Wageman, Fusion’s Founder and Executive Advisor. “The more we can talk about it, the more we normalize it.”
Superhero Heart Run for CHD awareness
Not all heroes wear capes. But some do.
The Superhero Heart Run is the “nation’s first superhero-themed family-friendly fun run specifically committed to raising awareness, support, and funding for kids and families affected by Congenital Heart Defects (CHD).” Founded in Omaha in 2013, this run has brought together thousands of superheroes in the community and in cities across the country.
In 2022, Fusion participated in the Superhero Heart Run to help raise awareness for CHD. We also helped sponsor the event and even had our own booth set up to give out fun prizes, capes, and masks to other heroes participating in the run. This year was such a roaring success. We can’t wait for the next Superhero Heart Run!
Earth Day clean-up
Have you ever been minding your own business on an outdoor walk when suddenly a stray piece of garbage attacks you out of nowhere? Same. And it’s not enjoyable.
To help make sure this doesn’t happen to others, Fusion Medical Staffing partnered with Keep Omaha Beautiful for the very first Fusion Earth Day clean-up. This year, the team conquered Levi Carter Park and picked up 240 bags of trash!
Hope Mission food drive
Are you familiar with the average size of a U-Haul moving truck? Well, imagine one packed to the brim with nonperishable food items. Did it look something like this?
A few times throughout the year, Fusion collected items for the Heartland Hope Mission, a local nonprofit that helps working families by offering all the must-haves: a week’s supply of food, clothing, hygiene items, supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), community referrals, and job resources.
Nebraska is a big state and not everyone knows when they’ll receive their next meal. In fact, that’s a concern for 237,440 Nebraskans. In 2020 alone, the Heartland Hope Mission helped 55,907 individuals receive a food pantry, 7,078 family members receive holiday assistance, and distribute 4,470 diaper packs. It’s humbling to be able to help.
Big Brothers & Big Sisters school supply drive
About one in three families can’t afford school supplies. Luckily, there are organizations out there like Big Brothers & Big Sisters of the Midlands to help. This organization empowers kiddos and their families by providing camp and workshop experience, professional development and consultation, and extra resources for families in need, like school supplies.
In July, Fusion Medical Staffing put up boxes to collect a wide variety of school supplies. From crayons and colored pencils to backpacks and lunch boxes, Fusion donated it all. And we have every intention to do it again!
Christmas in July donation drive
Christmas came early for the Fusion fam. This July, we rallied together for a parking lot party to collect bedding, bath towels, and other household essentials for the Omaha Home for Boys (OHB) and the Heartland Hope Mission. And of course, we invited Santa and his elves to distribute toys and other gifts to the children.
OHB is a local charity organization that helps youth, young adults, and families overcome adversity and reach their full potential. Through well-rounded, comprehensive programs, OHB helps with education, employment, housing, health and wellness, life skills, mental health, transportation, and mentors.
National Recovery Day fundraiser
ICYMI, September 30th was National Recovery Day. This day is designated to celebrating the recovery journey of those who struggle with an addiction, such as alcohol abuse or drug abuse. This year, Fusion donated $1,000 to go towards personal care items, such as toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and more, for the people of the Oxford House. The Oxford House is a local sober living home that provides a safe space for men and women to detox and overcome addiction.
“Fusion provided the marketing team with money to spend on toiletries and supplies for the Oxford Sober Living Community in support of National Recovery Day,” said Fusion application specialist Marissa Young, who organized the fundraiser. “I’m thankful for the money Fusion provided and I am positive it made an impact in these sober living communities, when often people come to these homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs, giving it everything they have to battle their addictions.”
Bowling for Boobs fundraiser
Cancer sucks. There are countless ways to fight against this devastating disease, including supporting foundations like the Kamie K. Preston Hereditary Cancer Foundation.
Brandi was only 14 years old when she lost her mother, Kamie, to “aggressive breast cancer,” 19 years old when she learned she carried the same mutated gene, and 22 years old when she underwent a prophylactic mastectomy. From this experience, the Kamie K. Preston Hereditary Cancer Foundation was born.
Fusion started working with the foundation years ago when we started the Bowling for Boobs event. Each October, Fusion wears pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Not only do we go all out in pink fashion, but we also host and participate in Bowling for Boobs, a fundraising event that raises money for the Kamie K. Preston Hereditary Cancer Foundation. This year in 2022, Fusion raised $23,000 for the Foundation!
The Stephen Center volunteering
Throughout the year, you can peep the Fusion fam shopping for, prepping, and serving meals at The Stephen Center. This local nonprofit organization “partners with the community, families, and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction, and poverty” and Fusion does what we can to help. It’s a volunteering tradition that’s been alive since Fusion’s inception and there are no plans of stopping!
Angels Among Us fundraiser
The winter holidays are a magical time of the year. And that’s how it should be for everyone. So, each December, every department in the company collects funds to buy gifts for a handful of families who are registered with Angels Among Us.
Angels Among Us is a nonprofit organization that works with families of children with cancer in Nebraska. Through combined efforts from board members, community volunteers, and donors, Angels Among Us has distributed more than $2.7 million to nearly 500 families in need. Pretty great cause, right?
Every year, Fusion gets presents for families with Angels Among Us to help keep the holiday spirit alive and well. Then, there’s a full day dedicated to holiday festivities where the Fusion office transforms into a winter wonderland for Angels Among Us families to decorate cookies, make crafts, take pictures with Santa, and eat a catered meal. At the end of the night, we use our sneaking skills to secretly load the gifts into their cars, so their kiddos have presents under the tree. This year, Fusion raised $16,700!
2022 was a year of giving — at least, it was for Fusion Medical Staffing. Through continued volunteerism, fundraising, and donations, we’re able to fulfill our mission of improving every life we touch. Stay tuned for more community events in 2023!
