The Oklahoman

Paycom interns, workers stuff backpacks for kids

- By Dale Denwalt Staff writer ddenwalt@oklahoman.com

Paycom interns filled more than 600 backpacks full of school supplies Friday, a gift destined for children in the Oak Grove housing community.

Along with pencil sharpeners, scissors and other essentials, inside each backpack was a handwritte­n note. Oklahoma Baptist University student and Pay com intern Madison Hale wrote to its future owner that" you are valued, and you are important."

This idea of public service isn't something new to Hale, who is earning a degree in social entreprene­urship.

"Not only are they investing in us as interns, but they really make it a point to invest in the community," she said. "This is super cool to be a part of."

The money top urchase and personaliz­e 600 fully stocked backpacks came from Paycom employees who chipped in during the company's latest luncheon. YMCA of Oklahoma City helped deliver them.

"We're good stewards of the blessings we' ve received, and f rom our CEO down it' s important to give back ," said Tiffany McGowen, vice president of recruiting. "You may not call it work, but if we're doing the right things f or the right reasons, it all comes together."

It helps that the interns are involved, as well.

The internship class has quadrupled in size of the past four years with interns in offices across the country, she said, and they' re represente­d in nearly every department of the human resources software and services company.

Having interns help with the volunteer project helps them be closer to Paycom's values, she added.

"It allows them to align with our culture. We can teach a lot of the skills necessary to succeed, but are they going to thrive in our environmen­t ?" McGowen said. "It allows them to serve in the communitie­s they love and that we support, and also pay it forward."

 ??  ?? Paycom intern Connor Atkinson on Friday fills a backpack with school supplies at Paycom. The backpacks will go to disadvanta­ged students during the upcoming school year. [CHRIS LANDSBERGE­R/ THE OKLAHOMAN]
Paycom intern Connor Atkinson on Friday fills a backpack with school supplies at Paycom. The backpacks will go to disadvanta­ged students during the upcoming school year. [CHRIS LANDSBERGE­R/ THE OKLAHOMAN]
 ??  ?? Paycom's Abbi Moulton on Friday fills out a personaliz­ed card to be put in a backpack along with school supplies at Paycom. [CHRIS LANDSBERGE­R PHOTOS/ THE OKLAHOMAN]
Paycom's Abbi Moulton on Friday fills out a personaliz­ed card to be put in a backpack along with school supplies at Paycom. [CHRIS LANDSBERGE­R PHOTOS/ THE OKLAHOMAN]
 ??  ?? Paycom's Mackenzie Endebrock on Friday grabs another backpack to fill with school supplies at Paycom.
Paycom's Mackenzie Endebrock on Friday grabs another backpack to fill with school supplies at Paycom.

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