Posts on a business Facebook page as well as Twitter and Instagram show employees involved in community events such as walks for charities. This shows Benco Dental “cares and wants to give back” and also lets others know how they can get involved, said Rachel Pugh, spokeswoman for the largest privately-owned dental distribution in the nation.
Benco Dental, headquartered in Centerpoint Commerce and Trade Park in Pittston, Pennsylvania, frequently uses social media to benefit charities or promote its involvement in the community and was spotlighted with several businesses in a thetimes-tribune.com story by DeniseAllabaugh @CVAllabaugh about the win-win of give back efforts.
“We want the local public to know we care about our community,” she said. “People who follow us and within our own company can see how enjoyable it is to be part of your community.”
Chuck and Rick Cohen serve as managing directors of the family business Benco Dental, which donates five percent of its profits annually to charities such as the United Way, Head Start and the National Foundation of Dentistry.
Benco Dental also benefits charities through its oral health care line PRO-SYS’ social media and the Lucy Hobbs Project® that empowers women in dentistry to drive change and deliver success through networking, innovation and giving back, Pugh said.
“I think the power of social media shows its strength when it inspires others to do good as well,” she said. “It can really start a powerful positive snowball effect. The results are a win-win for everyone, both business and community.”
Additionally, Pugh said using social media to show Benco Dental’s community impact is good for employee growth.
“When people are looking for a new career and a new place to work, they see Benco Dental gives them a lot of opportunity to get involved and that’s attractive to people.” she said. “It was attractive to me when I saw how Benco was so involved in the community.”
Florence Marchesano, talent specialist for Benco Dental who oversees the company’s Community Boosters group, also uses “SharePoint,” internal social media sites, to post photos of employees volunteering at community events to stir up support. They use hashtags like #fundraisers and #giveback.
They participate in the United Way’s annual Day of Caring event; they have packed food for the Commission on Economic Opportunity and volunteered to help the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and Ruth’s Place women’s homeless shelter.
“It’s our culture here to donate and volunteer,” she said. “Benco benefits in that we’re working together and it gives us a way to be with other associates outside of work.”
To learn about other creative social media methods businesses use to benefit charities read on at: https://thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/tying-business-to-charity-can-be-win-win-proposal-1.1862031