How one co-worker’s determination inspired a powerful team effort.
When Hurricanes Helene and Milton tore through parts of Florida last Fall, the impact was devastating. One of the many affected was Lois Raffel, a TD SYNNEX co-worker living near St. Petersburg beach. Sadly, Lois’s home was severely impacted when the entire first floor was submerged in floodwater. After learning about the overwhelming damage, Ivonne Valero, a member of the Procurement team in Clearwater, knew this was her opportunity to answer her inner calling.
“No one was prepared to see the level of damage,” Ivonne shared, recalling her first impression upon arriving at Lois’s home. Waterlogged belongings and irreparable damage filled the space. As the seconds passed, mold began to grow, causing Ivonne to act fast. Ivonne and Tara Chiappone, another co-worker on the Procurement team, immediately began working on Lois’s house. However, it quickly became clear that “this was going to be a much bigger effort.”
The following Monday, Ivonne began rallying co-workers to come and help. “I started sending emails… and I immediately thought of TD SYNNEX’s platform to find volunteers,” said Ivonne. The call for help did not go unanswered. Day after day, co-workers from across the company began showing up, armed with a willingness to help and a shared purpose. Together, they sorted through belongings, cleared debris, and worked tirelessly to salvage what they could. For Ivonne, this experience highlighted the true spirit of TD SYNNEX. “Having people show up not only from my department, but from other departments and teams really makes me feel proud to be a part of TD SYNNEX where people are kind and are willing to walk the extra mile for another,” Ivonne says.
Beyond the physical labor, the effort became a testament to the transformative power of community. “You never know when somebody has the same spark,” Ivonne says. “You may think, ‘What can I do by myself?’ but I’m glad I listened to my inner calling because then I was able to connect with other people who share my spark.” As a final appreciation to Lois and the volunteers who stepped in, Ivonne says “Thank you for sharing that spark with me. It only takes one spark to light a fire, but when we put all those sparks together, there’s so much we can do.”
This month’s Feel Good Friday story is a testament to the strength of community and the ripple effect of generosity. Together, we can create change—and it all begins with a single spark.
