GOODWILL AUCTIONS Beginning in April 2021, ASM began designating five


percent of their auction proceeds to Autism Speaks. But for Barnett, that wasn’t enough. “I was doing this for Elijah,” she says. “And I owed it to him, and to Lonnie and his team, to give this my best effort.” Barnett made a few phone calls and was able to connect with Kimberly Dick, area execu- tive director for Autism Speaks. “Kimberly has been an amazing and gracious resource for ASM throughout this entire journey.” Barnett and Dick began co-hosting monthly lunch-and-


learns for all ASM team members. During those sessions, Dick would share information about what autism is, what resources Autism Speaks offers, and how to interact with those on the autism spectrum. Monthly infographics were also sent out to the team with more “Did You Know” infor- mation about autism, like the fact that one in 54 children


Storage Gives Barnett ended by saying, “This partnership has been a blessing in


disguise. To have been asked to participate in something like this, that not only educates our team members but supports chari- ties that directly impact our loved ones, has been an inspiration to ASM during a really hard couple of years. I would encourage anyone in the industry to consider partnering with Storage Gives.” Each charity with Storage Gives has been hand-picked and


selected by Bickford and his team through firsthand encounters with each charity. “I’ve seen the work charity can do first-hand,” Bickford explained. “Every charity we’ve selected to work with through Storage Gives either plays a direct part in our employees’ lives or is something I’ve helped with throughout my life.” Storage Gives has not only inspired ASM through Autism


Speaks, but the funds gathered this year alone have gone on to fund 250,000 meals through Storage Gives partner charity,


Barnett and Dick began co-hosting monthly lunch-and-learns for all ASM team members. During those sessions, Dick would share information about what autism is,


what resources Autism Speaks offers, and how to interact with those on the autism spectrum.


are on the autism spectrum. Autism Speaks posters and point-of-sale items were shipped to all 135 locations man- aged by ASM. Lastly, ASM organized a virtual walk, which was held on Sept. 25, 2021, as a fundraiser. The goal was for all walkers to walk 1.54 miles in honor of the one in 54 children on the spectrum. “We are excited to announce that to date we have


raised nearly $10,000 for Autism Speaks,” Barnett says, “and we are just getting started!” The company recently designed fundraising T-shirts with the names of team members’ loved ones on the spectrum, and their fundrais- ing page will remain open until the end of the year (http:// act.autismspeaks.org/got/ASM).


Mission Feeding, a charity Bickford has worked with previously through mission work. Rightfully so, Storage Gives is making waves across the entire


storage industry. John Traver with XPS Solutions says, “For us, what stands out about Storage Gives is the quality of impact these charities have on the causes which they support. Storage Gives supports multiple charities, including Autism Speaks, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization, Homes for Our Troops (customized housing for our severely injured post 9/11 troops), and the Mission Feeding and Water for Life charities serving in the Sub-Saharan areas of Africa. One of the core traits of our industry is the unified mission of service—to give back and help others. So, it is our privilege to have the opportunity to give back in the name


“So, it is our privilege to have the opportunity to give back in the name of our clients


from across the U.S. to these charities. It’s truly our pleasure to partner with Storage Gives.” - John Traver


“We’re grateful for Absolute Storage Management’s


commitment to the Storage Gives initiative which ben- efits Autism Speaks,” says Dick. “Through their support, Absolute Storage Management not only raises funds to fuel the mission of Autism Speaks but also encourages understanding and acceptance with their workplace and throughout


local communities.” Autism Speaks not only


works to create a kinder, more inclusive world for people with autism, but it also provides resources like its Autism Response Team (ART), and information line for the autism community. For more information on Autism Speaks, visit autismspeaks.org.


28 Self-Storage NOW!


of our clients from across the U.S. to these charities. It’s truly our pleasure to partner with Storage Gives.” For more information about Storage Gives, visit StorageGives.


org or contact Donna Morgan-Esquibel at donna@storageauc- tions.com.


Jennifer Barnett is the Chief Operating Officer at Absolute Storage Management (ASM) where she oversees the third-party management of 135-plus self-storage properties in 16 states. She has been with ASM for 15 years.


FIRST QUARTER 2022


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