Endeavor Air is committed to serving the communities we serve, and for Joanne Ahlers, a Vendor Management Projects Lead at Endeavor’s Minneapolis headquarters, giving back starts with a snack.

Throughout the year, Joanne runs a fully stocked “fundraising cart,” which sells snacks, grab-and-go lunches, and beverages, and sales are donated to local families and causes.   

This holiday season, the cart raised enough money to purchase 25 gifts for Toys for Tots.  

“Running the cart allows me to continue to give back, and I love helping people,” said Joanne. 

Joanne first started the cart in 2018 to raise money for Endeavor employees who might be going through financial hardships. Employees can also submit the names of local non-profits who could benefit from the donation.  

Joanne estimates that about $100 is raised each month to support a colleague or charity.  

“It does not sound like a lot, but hopefully it’s helping pay for medical bills or helping a cause,” said Joanne. “We helped pay for a wheelchair ramp for an employee a while back, and it felt great knowing that we were giving the money to someone that could really use it.”  

For Joanne, who learned the importance of serving the community through the example of her father, the spirit of giving is a part of her family – both at home and at work.  

“We are one family, and we have to keep asking questions and help each other out,” Joanne said. 

“Endeavor continues to be a very welcoming environment.”