Credit: A Cheerful Giver candles
We may need to allow our ‘flame’ for Yankee Candles to burn out, now that we’ve learned about this New Jersey small business that gives back to their community in life-changing ways.
For over 20 years, the family-owned candle company has provided meaningful employment for adults with special needs, hiring them to place the wicks inside their delicious-smelling candles.
Founded in 1991, ‘A Cheerful Giver’ now sells to thousands of retail stores nationwide and has built a loyal following on Amazon.com—and for decades their commitment to inclusive employment has never wavered.
“These team members place the wicks in every candle we pour,” said the owners, Tony and Susan Gross. “They’re the heart of our operation.”
“How much they work is entirely up to them. There’s no pressure, no quotas—just purposeful employment and the pride that comes with being part of something real.”
The employees arrive through a partnership with Career Opportunity Development Inc (CODI), a New Jersey nonprofit founded by a group of loving parents 55 years ago to develop ways for young adults with disabilities to find work, vocational training, and housing.
Located outside of Atlantic City in Egg Harbor, CODI workers are employed in a number of different fields and get competitive wages that support their independence.
Courtesy of A Cheerful Giver
Each day, they work for as little as a few minutes, or as long as 6 hours.
“All of our wickers bring home a paycheck each day for all they’ve accomplished, building a sense of pride and purpose,” wrote Tony and Susan on their website.
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“When you buy an A Cheerful Giver candle, you’re supporting a workplace that has given differently-abled individuals the opportunity to contribute, earn, and belong.”
Available in three sizes, every candle is hand-poured with premium paraffin wax, delivering a “powerful scent throw” that has made A Cheerful Giver so popular—and, they ship their products all over the world.
“I was a Yankee Candle zealot until I tried A Cheerful Giver,” said one fan. “The scent throw is unmatched… I can smell it throughout my entire house.”
But what makes the company stand out isn’t just how the candles perform. It’s who makes them.
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“At Cheerful Giver, we are more than just another candle we; We are a proud American Company that makes our own products and gives back to ensure we are making a difference in the lives of others.”
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