So Many Reasons to Celebrate!

A crowning event of our summer is the Close To My Heart family party. Every year, it’s a wonderful celebration of friends, family, food and fun—but this year’s party was an exceptional highlight. We decided to hold the party at a local fun recreational park rather than our traditional spot of the corporate office grounds. With about 500 attendees, we needed more space!

What an amazing afternoon. Each employee brought a friend or their entire family and was greeted at the gate with a lei and an all-access pass. We shared a huge barbecue lunch together of hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, corn, salads, and even ice cream and sodas! The kids—and adults alike—were eager to eat their food so they could hit the attractions, which included laser tag, go-karts, bumper boats, miniature golf, and a giant array of arcade games. The tiniest toddlers had a blast, and even us “big kids” loved racing each other, squirting each other, and tagging each other.

This annual event is among one of my favorite days of the entire year. I get to meet and THANK the great families behind each employee; people who are so supportive of Close To My Heart in “lending” their loved ones to the company. It’s a treat to watch the kids play with one another and to enjoy a day of play from mom or dad’s workplace. As our numbers grow each year, I find myself humbled to be at the helm, grateful for the diverse talents, willing spirits, and joyful personalities who make this company strong. More than ever, I am reminded that I couldn’t do it alone… and I’m comforted to know I don’t have to, thanks to our wonderful team.

Enjoy a few photos from the day—including our lei-distribution team of Vice Presidents, VP Monica Wihongi and my husband David playfully—strangling each other, plus lots of smiling, happy faces enjoying the park. Not only did all of my children attend, but my grandkids did as well—Noah and Belle are posing by some of the inflatable attractions, and 22-month-old Mason is eager to drag his daddy Jared off for a round of miniature golf.

It was a great day with nearly 500 reasons to celebrate—one for each attendee and member of the Close To My Heart extended family!