Innovation…Quality…Positivity…Fun…Respect…Education…Honesty…Opportunity…Compliance…Integrity…Team…Openness…Growth. These are the values that guide us here at Commercial Investigations. Plus one more – Community. As do many small businesses, we strive to be a strong community partner. Allow us to take this end-of-year moment to look back at what we have contributed and ask you, our clients, partners, and friends, how we can join forces in the coming year to improve our communities.

We were honored to join SEFCU twice this year in charitable events that they sponsor. In May, we played in the annual Monopoly tournament. No, we did not win the tournament but, ever the dedicated investigators; we all went undercover in jail at the same time. It is sufficient to say that conditions were a tad overcrowded. In the end, the Center for Disability Services came out the clear winner!

The second SEFCU-sponsored event was Trivia Night in September, benefiting Changing Lives Every Day. Your fearless team of investigators came ready to do battle. Sports? Check. History? Check. Music? Check. Fish? What?! Poker? What?! Real Housewives of New York?! No!! Maybe we were not quite as ready as we hoped, but we held our heads high and had many good guesses!

During the crisp autumn days our team ran and/or walked two 5K events. First, at the annual Bassett 5K in Cooperstown, we gathered on the grounds of The Clarke Sports Complex (home of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony). We sped off – or not – through lovely Cooperstown. If you have not been, it is a wonderful opportunity to stroll through quiet streets lined with Victorian homes. The opportunity raised by skirting The Hall of Fame itself can prove almost too much for a dedicated baseball fan, but skirt we did. Whether walking or running, we know that our efforts help support an integral partner in the Cooperstown community.

Just one week later, we sent another strong contingent to the National Saratoga Battlefield to participate in a 5K benefitting The Kaitlin Bowman Foundation. This new foundation, formed just this past May, aims to ease the financial burden on families who have lost a child and cannot afford burial and related expenses. Our own Craig, Rachael, Patricia, and Yahzmine completed the course on hallowed ground. Lover of history that he is, Craig acted as a tour guide during the walk, pointing out various heroic acts performed by soldiers. This charitable event was fun and historically educational!

Additionally, sometimes contributing to the community often involves fun, games, and activity, sometimes includes shopping for someone else. Your investigative team here at CI truly loves our four-legged friends. We collected food and toys for dogs. We know both the vulnerability of animals and the comfort and protection they provide to vulnerable populations. And, hey, our reason for being is to protect!

As we go to print, we have collected food for Thanksgiving to deliver to the area food bank. We are also gearing up to shop for families in need, for the holiday season. What a wonderful year of giving back it has been! What events do you hold near and dear? Let us know how we can collaborate for a cause with you in 2020.