September marks Expedia Group’s 13th annual Month of Caring – a time for Expedians around the world to give back to their communities by volunteering their time, energy and skills across various organizations.

Joelle Rudder, the Workplace Experience Supervisor for multiple Expedia Group offices across North America, has been the Month of Caring (MOC) Lead in our Denver office since 2019. Her passion and leadership have inspired Expedians to make a lasting positive impact on their community through meaningful volunteer experiences.

This Month of Caring, Joelle is leading a volunteer opportunity with Longhopes Donkey Shelter, an organization that the EG Denver office has supported for years. Read on to discover the positive impact Expedians are making at Longhopes Donkey Shelter and the important role Month of Caring plays in fostering community engagement.

Can you tell us about the volunteer efforts at Longhopes Donkey Shelter?

Longhopes Donkey Shelter is a nonl-profit organization that provides exceptional care to donkeys who have needed advocacy, rehoming or retirement services. Longhopes also promotes and cultivates bonded relationships with their rescued donkeys to help them flourish in their new home environment. The donkeys living their best lives at Longhopes are a variety of ages, sizes and personalities.

For myself, and for other Denver Expedians, we view this volunteering opportunity with Longhopes as a gift. We are extremely lucky to be outside our office setting and take pride in being able to perform any task that the Longhopes staff need us to do that day. We can support and assist the experts at Longhopes in any capacity that helps them the most. We have scooped poop, cleaned paddocks, stocked hay in the barn, helped put little jackets on donkeys when the weather was cold, painted an obstacle course, participated in a donkey birthday party, and most importantly, given love to any donkey that asks for it. Victoria Schroeder and Kathy Dean at Longhopes are inspirational and keep us striving to be our best selves. Victoria and Kathy give us the unique opportunity to grow as a Expedians, experience something incredible, and go beyond ourselves by making the world a better place for rescued donkeys in Denver.

What do you have planned this year during Month of Caring at Longhopes?

This Month of Caring, the team at Longhopes have a very special project for us. Expedians will be commemorating beloved donkeys who have passed by painting rocks for a Memorial Garden. Since some of us EG Denver employees have been volunteering with Longhopes for a few years now, we have gotten to know some of the donkeys at Longhopes. We’ve petted, dressed and fed some of these donkeys before and have a love for them that goes beyond one day of volunteering.

How has Month of Caring contributed to the overall culture and values in your office?

Month of Caring has been a yearly highlight for Expedia Group Denver, a testament to our commitment to service and community engagement. Beyond the opportunity to give back and make a positive impact, Month of Caring fosters a strong sense of camaraderie among employees. From meeting new hires to learning about different roles, it strengthens our company culture.

By volunteering our time and skills, we’re making a tangible difference in our neighborhoods. Whether it’s participating in a local event or lending a hand to a worthy organization, our involvement can be a powerful force for good. The personal satisfaction and sense of fulfillment that comes from making a difference often inspire us to seek out more opportunities and eagerly anticipate the next Month of Caring.

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