CBE Group Employees Pay it Forward Throughout 2012

CBE Group (CBE), a leader in the debt collection industry, announced the impact its employees have created in yet another successful year of CBE Cares initiatives.

Throughout 2012, employees at CBE showed their pay-it-forward spirit as they generously made several charitable contributions in local communities through the CBE Cares program. The program is designed to create opportunity for employees to join together throughout the year in company-sponsored events that encourage collaboration in reaching out and giving back to the communities. The local emphasis benefits a wide variety of causes in CBE’s three local communities: Cedar Falls and Waterloo, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, Kansas.

“It’s a true reflection of our culture at CBE,” said Tom Penaluna, President and CEO. “Employees rally together and become engaged in all of our campaigns throughout the year – not just during the holidays,” he continued.

The CBE Cares campaigns are coordinated by employees through committee efforts.  Major campaigns that contributed to CBE employees’ generosity in 2012 included:

United Way

CBE’s annual United Way campaign proved, yet again, to be a success. CBE’s employee’s contributed over $80,000 to local chapters throughout the month of October.  Fundraising events included contests, auctions, food sales, raffles and more, creating fun and competitive ways for employees to make donations.

Pay It Forward

CBE’s third annual Pay it Forward campaign took place in July, because we understand that need is not seasonal.  Employees joined forces and formed groups, each choosing a cause of their own and a strategy for paying it forward. Some efforts included volunteering at a Hospitality House, organizing a car wash fundraiser for children’s toys at the University of Iowa Hospital and donating supplies to the Ronald McDonald House. As a whole, we all recognized the impact of each group in a company-wide showcase of pay-it-forward efforts.

The Leader In Me

CBE has been a driving force in the Cedar Valley area by providing leadership and over $200,000 to date with a goal to bring The Leader In Me program to every student in the metro area within the next three years.  It develops students to have the life skills and self-confidence needed to succeed as a leader in the 21st century, based on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Partners in Education

CBE continued its partnership with Lincoln Elementary School to assist in the funding of staff- and student-related needs throughout the year.  In 2012, employees contributed over $5,000 through Partners in Education.   Employees’ contributions and additional company funds were used to purchase wish list items, student uniforms, adopt-a-family needs and more.  In addition to monetary contributions, employees volunteered their time at events and in a pen pal program.

Jeans for Charity

CBE’s Jeans for Charity initiative creates an opportunity for employees in each location to support a local, non-profit organization each month.  Employees’ contributions make them eligible to wear jeans at work, while funds generated are given to a local charity carefully selected by a committee at each office location.  In 2012, a combined $65,000+ was donated to 23 charities, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Salvation Army, House of Hope and Autism Society to name a few.

“It’s quite amazing what our employees can do when, together, they create so many different pay-it-forward events throughout the year for people to step up and help others in need,” Penaluna said. “I am very grateful that our organization cultivates this kind of spirit,” he continued.

CBE has been in the accounts receivable management business since 1933 and currently employs nearly 1,000 people in four locations nationwide. Its corporate headquarters is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with additional facilities in Waterloo, Iowa; West Des Moines, Iowa; and Overland Park, Kansas. CBE was named one of the best places to work in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls metropolitan area the last seven years. CBE represents many of the nation’s most renowned and respected organizations. CBE serves a variety of industries including healthcare, utilities, satellite, telecommunications, financial services, education and government. For more information, visit www.cbegroup.com.