Franksgiving Benefits Local Veterans
Frank Gatski encourages the team at Gatski Commercial Real Estate Services to give back to their community year-round, but he feels the holidays really stand out as a time for charitable giving.
This month the CEO has been focused on giving to his employees at holiday parties, but last month, it was veterans on the receiving end of the company’s generosity.
Right before Thanksgiving, the company put on its 9th Annual Franksgiving, which was named by employees shortly after the company’s inception. For the annual celebration, the company picks a charity to adopt, asks what the charity needs and encourages employees to bring in donations.
This year, Veterans Village Las Vegas, a transitional and permanent housing residence for veterans, benefited from the employees’ donations of and the corporation’s financial gift.
During the event, Veterans Village President Arnold Stalk spoke to employees to let them know how those donations help local veterans and what it means to the nonprofit to receive such donations.
Arnold Stalk of Veterans Village with Frank Gatski of Gatski Commercial
The organization is special to Gatski, who comes from a military family. His father, who was a soldier in the Navy, served in both World War II and the Vietnam War.
Gatski team members donating to the chosen charity have a chance to get a little something extra for themselves, too. Everyone who brings a donation is given a raffle ticket. And everyone who attends Franksgiving is also given a raffle ticket. Then, at the event, tickets are drawn and winners are rewarded with cash prizes.
Gatski said the event is a source of excitement for everyone. Employees get the afternoon off, help a local charity, eat a meal catered by Famous Dave’s (and served up by Gatski) and at the end of the day are given a ham or turkey for their holiday meal at home. This year, everyone received a Honey Baked Ham.