Burlington - Trying to catch Sharon Lagasse for a minute during an ARAMARK Building Community Volunteer Day was difficult at best. The Burlington resident is in constant movement, touching base with a group of volunteers building a garden bench over here, picking some cardboard boxes for recycling over there, and checking in with more volunteers back by the new mural at East End House community center in Cambridge last month.
"I love working with people and teams," said Lagasse, the company's director of operational excellence and New England volunteer captain. "And I get so much more from community service than I give. If I'm not doing it, I'm not good - I'm in trouble."
Lagasse's outstanding commitment to community service was recognized this past summer by her employer and the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. She was nominated for the honor given by ARAMARK for the Jefferson Awards Champions program, which promotes and supports employee volunteer efforts.
"I'm honored to receive an award that sheds light on the importance of giving our time and skills to those that need it most," said Lagasse.
Her dedication to volunteering became a daily practice when, as a young adult, she went through some difficult times herself.
"I was the recipient of so many random acts of kindness. I knew I just needed to share that kindness with others. It's now part of my daily life; I wake up each day asking myself, 'How can I be part of the solution, and not part of the problem?'"
Lagasse currently serves on the board of the Elizabeth Peabody House, a full-service community center in Somerville. Lagasse got to know them through her volunteer work with ARAMARK, where she's served on the volunteer organizing committee for 17 years.
Through ARAMARK Building Community, Lagasse has lead local employee volunteers to transform the places that help families thrive, which is so critical with today's economic challenges. She has organized hundreds of employees to paint, landscape, and enhance community center facilities in day-long volunteer events and gathered a team to put together enough Thanksgiving baskets full of food to feed 1,250 people.
"It's so simple - to see the smile on a kid's face, to know you have helped make things better. It's so cool to be able to give," she says, looking at the busy volunteers around her. "I'm filled with gratitude that ARAMARK provides us with the opportunity to support our communities this way. My heart is so full right now it's bursting."


With all the big changes coming to CSU, many students speculate about the goals of our university.











On March 3, Rhodes College in Memphis, TN held their first Cooking Class.





With the new year came changes in the cafeteria - changes that the students have definitely noticed.

Eastern employee, Kathy VanWinkle famously shares smiles in upstairs Powell.

















Contrary to popular belief, Barnard girls can get their money's worth on the unlimited meal plan.

Aramark has been serving up some changes to more than just the menu this school year.






The student-run international buffet will feature a Volunteer Week theme Sept. 21-24.


New electricity strategy helps ARAMARK save money and energy

UT student-run international buffet features Volunteer Week theme

Annual campaign strives to help Maine communities find school supplies

Schools make green list thanks in part to eco-conscious food programs

ARAMARK company-wide community involvement initiative on the road again

ARAMARK partners with business community to help workforce readiness



Corban University Food Services Director welcomed to the Red Hat crew





Top ARAMARK chefs vie for the Gold Medal at the 3rd annual ACE competition.

ARAMARK Higher Ed team does what it can to help after Washington, DC, Metro train crash.


ARAMARK partners with Carson-Newman College to operate the local bakery.

Twenty-four ARAMARK employees were recently awarded Jefferson Awards for community service.

ARAMARK at USF program provides young adults with job training and help finding employment.

Closed loop local food project brings greater sustainability to University of Southern Maine.

ARAMARK and FSU student group host "Dine in the Dark" event as part of global Earth Hour effort.

Vermont's Lyndon State College has recently implemented a new system of composting waste.

A May food drive organized by ARAMARK and Old Dominion extended after great success.

Displaced from Burundi by ongoing war, jobs gives refugees a step toward normalcy.

The college is partnering with ARAMARK to design and implement a comprehensive energy program.

Olin College is on track to saving nearly $1.5 million in energy costs over three years.

ARAMARK employee volunteers give facelift to Queens Community House.


Bloomsburg University of PA repackaged and distributed 12 tons of food to those in need.

University food supplier will adopt new measures to improve sustainability.

Kari Willmott was nominated for the TRiO Student's Choice Award.

USF Surf Club and ARAMARK have always had a tradition of giving back to the local community.

25 students participated in ARAMARK'S second Annual Hot Wing Eating Contest.

Julius Jackson won first place in the 8th Annual Top Chef competition hosted by ARAMARK.


Executive chef Masahiro Yamashita wins a gold medal at the ARAMARK Culinary Excellence Competition.


The new CityKids Java Café serves up sustainable food and support for at-risk kids.

Students enjoy locally grown and harvested foods in new on-campus cafe.

With $5 combo meals, students are getting a new taste of value.

Student-run restaurant offers great learning opportunity, awesome meals.

Boston Unity Dining Services helped feed over 1,250 people this holiday season.

Brandeis Greening class works with community to bring local produce to campus.

ARAMARK and local farm work to build more sustainable food system.

Over 1,300 take part in University of Rochester Local Foods Week.

University of Maine-Farmington honored for his commitment to the community.

Get to know the Director of the University of Rochester's Eastman Dining Center.

Nearly 100 employees, friend and family celebrated the day by helping the community.

Best-selling health & lifestyle author Anne M. Fletcher is speaking at campuses nationwide.

Director of ARAMARK Fleet Operations talks about how ARAMARK is greening our roadways.

Local center gets a desperately needed - and well deserved -- renovation.

Best-selling health & lifestyle author Anne M. Fletcher is speaking at campuses nationwide.

ARAMARK invests in the first fully-chartered Boys & Girls Club to operate within a homeless shelter.

ARAMARK works with campus partners to incorporate Zero Waste practices.

Top ARAMARK chefs embark on a multinational cultural journey of a lifetime.

Dedicated employees are rewarded in the 2008 THRIVE Recognition Program drawing.

The latest edition of "Meet the 'MARK" features a key player at Vassar College Dining Services.

ARAMARK's partners at the University of Florida keep up the good work.

The ARAMARK Building Community national tour makes a stop in San Francisco.

ARAMARK teams up with the Elizabeth Peabody House in Somerville, MA.

The Tennant Company helps develop an environmentally-safe light industrial scrubber.

Students try trayless dining in an effort to support environmental stewardship.

Twenty ARAMARK employees receive prestigious Jefferson Awards.

Campus partners recycle almost 12 million pounds of waste in the 2008 RecycleMania program.


ARAMARK makes a commitment to help preserve the world's oceans and fisheries.

Students find out how much food is wasted at Old Dominion University's Café 1201.

ARAMARK helps Berklee reduce its campus-wide energy use by almost 40 percent.

ARAMARK finds Energy Star options for the University of Florida.

The new science building of Muhlenberg College wins a Silver LEED Rating.
We're committed to protecting and improving the environment by weaving an essential Green Thread through every aspect of our business.
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