The Live Love Serve Foundation is lucky to have a passionate group of individuals on its Board of Directors who are dedicated to serving their fellow neighbors and local communities. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing you to the members of our Board and sharing more about what they like most about their position and why they are inspired to give back.
Our first Board of Directors Spotlight features Beth Restituto who told us more about what drives her to serve through the Live Love Serve Foundation.
Q: Beth, tell us about your role with the Live Love Serve Foundation?
I have served on the LLS Board of Directors since the organization was founded in 2018, and I am part of the team that reviews and approves how funds are allocated each year.
Q: The Live Love Serve Foundation provides financial donations to many different charitable organizations. Do you have one that you feel a strong tie to?
We do work to support a number of charitable organizations across the Southeast in communities where CBI does business. However, my favorite part about my role on the Board is getting to know the stories of the individuals who request our assistance and learning more about their lives, hopes and aspirations.
Q: Oh wow, that sounds interesting. Tell us more about the types of individuals you help to support.
Well one major component about the Live Love Serve Foundation is that it provides funds for CBI employees and their family members who experience financial crisis that is unexpected or potentially crippling to their livelihoods. For example, an unexpected medical expense that someone wasn’t planning for can have the potential to set them back financially for years. Or expenses incurred because of a car accident or apartment leak or house fire. These are the types of situations that some people experience that can bankrupt them. The Live Love Serve Foundation partners with CBI to provide support for employees and their families who experience these situations. And we don’t only help with unexpected expenses either, the Live Love Serve Foundation has provided funds to pay for education and schooling for employees and their children who cannot afford it, covered funeral expenses and more.
Q: That sounds like a wonderful program. How does the Live Love Serve Foundation decide who to support in these situations?
We have a system where employees can nominate their peers for financial assistance, or an employee can nominate themselves. All nominations are completely anonymous, and no one outside of our Board ever finds out who receives the funding. This process ensures that employees who need help can receive it without feeling embarrassed or ashamed. It also creates a sense of security for those who might need help in the future and makes people feel better about reaching out when they really need a little extra support.
Q: You sound very passionate about this work. Tell us, what inspires you personally to give back?
I grew up in a household where giving back was encouraged. I remember from the time I was very young, my Mom was a volunteer for an AIDS support network. She helped take care of people who were sick and dying from the disease who didn’t have support from their families. In the 90’s working with AIDS patients wasn’t a very popular thing to do, but my mom gave these patients so much love and support in their final days. It is a memory that has stuck with me and really inspired me to give to those who need it when I can. I spent my youth and high-school years completing service projects and volunteering for various organizations when my time allowed, and I’m pleased I can continue that service in my adult life through the Live Love Serve Foundation.
Q: That’s such a fantastic story. So, when you aren’t working for the Live Love Serve Foundation what do you like to do for fun?
My family is very important to me, and I love spending time with them every chance I get. I have a three-year-old daughter and a five-month-old son, so as you can imagine, life is pretty busy at this time! We just recently moved back to Charlotte last year, so my husband and I are getting reacclimated to the city and are starting to get out and about a little bit now that pandemic restrictions are easing up.
We are avid sports fans and have season tickets to the Charlotte Football Club games, so that is something we are looking forward to when the season starts. We are also hoping to travel some and have a visit to New Orleans planned this fall.
Q: It sounds like you are very busy! We are grateful to your support and service to the Live Love Serve Foundation and would ask for you to give one piece of advice to individuals looking to give back to their community.
I would tell those looking to give back to examine the things they are passionate about and find an organization that supports those passions. There are so many ways to become involved in your local community, it’s important to listen to your heart and know that even small gestures or a little bit of time here and there can make a big difference.
If you are interested in learning more about the Live Love Serve Foundation and how it partners to support local communities, please visit www.llsfoundation.com
