“You can’t help everyone, but you can help someone”:  How Doosan Bobcat is Building Brighter Futures

For the team at Doosan Bobcat, “giving back” isn’t just a line in a corporate handbook; it’s about getting their hands dirty to build a foundation for mothers and children facing homelessness.

Chanda Cardwell, Angela Kyler and Dorian Ward head Doosan Bobcat’s support for the mothers and children at Home of Hope. This longstanding relationship began when a handful of employees volunteered.

“I knew of Home of Hope from being in the area, and we had a couple of employees who had done some volunteering there,” Chanda explained. 

“Then a group of eight or nine employees participated in volunteer activities at the facility, and when Samantha [Pryor, executive assistant and volunteer coordinator] told us the story of the organization, it just touched everyone’s heart. There was no way we could pass up the opportunity to help.”

For Dorian, her passion for Home of Hope stems from her own childhood.

“I grew up as the eighth of nine children, and I know what it is to be in a position where you need help,” Dorian shared. “But I was always taught that even though you can’t help everyone, you can help someone.”

This philosophy inspires the Doosan Bobcat team to serve the community where they can. When Home of Hope needs help, these ladies rally their team and step in to lend a hand — several hands, actually.

“We try to stay as engaged as possible so we know exactly what their needs are. Then we pull together a team to fulfill them,” Chanda said. “We have cleared their walking trail, spruced up the exterior porches in a few of the houses, donated meals and donated and planted shrubbery at the facility.”

Though the team doesn’t often get the chance to meet the mothers or children at Home of Hope, they’re still struck by the difference their time is making for these families.

“There was one story we heard about a mother who came into the program and wasn’t 100% accepting of the rules and regulations,” Angela recalled. “But through [Executive Director] Maureen [Kornowa’s] guidance, she excelled and graduated. She’s been very successful since graduation and has even come back as a volunteer. And that really touched me.

“It does your soul good to know that you’re helping someone in need or giving them a hand up. It feels like I’m doing something that’s making a difference in the world.” 

Whether they’re bringing a meal on the weekend or keeping Home of Hope’s facilities clean, Chanda, Angela and Dorian are grateful to be a piece of the puzzle in the fight against homelessness.

“Home of Hope can’t solve homelessness in Georgia all by itself,” Chanda said.

“When we work together to build bridges and create opportunities, we’re ensuring that every member of our society has a place where they belong. We’re laying the foundation for a resilient, inclusive and vibrant community where everybody can thrive.”