Being highly accessible and responsive to our customers has always been our mission at TIC Gums. But our commitment also extends to giving back to the communities in which we live and work.

As we celebrated our 100 year anniversary in 2009, we pledged to make a positive impact on our local community. Our employees created an action committee that channeled our energy and resources to those in need. Throughout the year, we contributed service time and donated items to many local community organizations. At the close of 2009, we surpassed our goals and look forward to continuing our commitment to helping the communities in which we live and work.

Funding Wells in Africa

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Almost 10 years ago, TIC Gums became involved in funding wells in Africa. On a trip to Africa in 2000, TIC Gums visited a village in Chad where the women had to walk over 5 kilometers each way to gather water for their families. TIC Gums immediately pledged to help this village by funding the installation of a village well. Since that time, TIC Gums has funded several wells in Africa and has plans to fund another one this year. Our commitment to bringing water to those who need is a long-standing one.

Renovating a Safe Haven

More than twenty employees gathered this past January at the Meeting Ground's homeless day shelter in Elkton, Maryland. The team was there to help renovate the shelter and prepare it for its opening this spring. Teams of employees painted, hung drywall, removed plaster ceilings, rearranged furniture, and cleaned. This was the first of many upcoming projects this year that TIC Gums will be participating in as a way to give back to the community.

First Collection Drives Exceed Goal

After the announcement to employees that our goal was to collect non-perishable items and gently used books for February and March, we had an overwhelming response and quickly surpassed our goals. All of the items were donated to the Harford Community Action Agency who will distribute them to local families in need.

Habitat for Humanity

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TIC Gums employees spent a Saturday in August helping with various jobs at a Habitat for Humanity site in Edgewood, MD.

Team Gum Guru Participates in Relay for Life

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Team Gum Guru participated in the local Relay for Life Event on May 15th and 16th in Harford County, Maryland. The team, including the Gum Guru, took turns walking laps for 24 hours straight in order to participate in the fight against cancer. Our team met our fundraising goal and looks forward to participating in future events.

A Morning Spent Pampering Pets

In an effort to help out our furry friends, Team Gum Guru now turned its attention to our local Humane Society located in Fallston, Maryland. Employees spent a Saturday morning in June pruning vines, cleaning up gardens, and painting. Many of the shelter's dogs were taken out for exercise and given some good old-fashion TLC! The team also delivered the pet supplies employees had been donating throughout the month of May.

Gum Gurus Light the Night

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On a rainy night in October, the Gum Guru and his team joined forces to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual 'Light the Night' walk. The event was held at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland to raise funds and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This event hits close to home for us, as a recent employee succumbed to the disease earlier this year. We dedicated our time and support to this great organization in his memory.

TIC GUMS Adopts Families for the Holiday

As part of our year-long focus on helping the community, TIC Gums will once again be helping out several local families this year during the holiday season. We have partnered with Anna's House, a local shelter who assists homeless women and children in Harford County. Clothing, gifts, and all the fixings for a special meal will be donated in order to make the lives of these families a little brighter during the holiday season.