Acts of Kindness That Defined Our Year

“Thank you and God bless. If I didn’t get this food, I would not have had a Thanksgiving meal.” I heard these words from an elderly man who was provided with a free turkey and produce from a Cleveland, Ohio, community center.

Just prior to Thanksgiving, PCT’s parent company, GIE Media, donated 600 turkeys that were distributed from this center. About 20 of my GIE coworkers and I volunteered our time to organize and distribute the turkeys, along with produce and pantry items, so that those less fortunate in our community could enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

I was heartened by the gentleman’s words and proud to work for a company that believes that to whom much is given, much is required. I’m also proud to cover the pest control industry, whose members also live by this belief.

As we close out 2025, the PCT staff reflected on acts of kindness that touched us.

One story that resonated with me was “Thomas Pest Services Donates $3,000 to Cerebral Palsy Organization,” which PCT shared in late July. With support from customers, partners and employees, Thomas Pest Services raised $1,500 and matched it dollar-for-dollar for a total donation of $3,000. The money went to Jake’s Help From Heaven, which provides grants, equipment, transportation and other vital resources to families managing complex medical needs. For owners Bill Clark and Sarah Thomas-Clark, the organization’s mission is personal: their daughter, Riley, lives with cerebral palsy. It’s truly inspiring to see how the Clarks support and celebrate Riley, and it’s just one of many examples of how Thomas Pest Services continually gives back.

PCT Publisher Jodi Dorsch highlighted EcoShield’s Exterminate Hunger initiative, which empowers EcoShield branches to team up with local food banks and address the unique needs of their communities. Each year, the company donates items ranging from canned food to baby formula through 36 drop-off locations across 22 states. “What I think is so great about this program is that it takes advantage of so many technicians’ boots on the ground who travel throughout the community daily,” Dorsch said. “Exterminate Hunger facilitates technicians collecting donations from customers at their home or business, so they make it easy to ask for and receive donations. Think about how much you could collect if each of your team collected just a couple of items at each customer stop.”

McKenna Christy, assistant editor of PCT, recently interviewed Tommy Hudson, an Orkin service professional, about his and his rescue dog Buddy’s life-saving heroics during the Central Texas floods in July. Tommy and Buddy’s actions — which led to saving three girls and bringing closure to families during those devastating floods — reminded Christy that true heroism is rooted in humility and selflessness. “It’s not always easy retelling stories that leave us scarred, but I’m grateful that Tommy told his and Buddy’s story because it prompts me to do the right thing without being asked. When you meet people as special as Tommy (and hear about pets as special as Buddy), it’s easy to feel inspired to follow in their footsteps,” she said.

These are just a few examples of acts of kindness, and we know there are many others quietly happening throughout the industry. We’d love to hear from you. Please send announcements to PCT and to your local media to highlight how you give back. Your stories remind us that generosity and compassion truly define the pest control industry.

The author is editor of PCT magazine.