EcoShield Austin Branch Brings Smiles and Service to Residents of The Pointe at Cedar Park

When you’re new to a city, it takes time to find your footing—new streets, new people, a new rhythm. For Christopher Calloway, recently relocated from Georgia to Texas, that challenge became real when EcoShield’s Shield Day of Service came around.

The annual event is a cherished EcoShield tradition—one day set aside for employees across the country to step away from their daily routines and give back to their local communities. But for Christopher, still finding his bearings in a new state, it presented a question: where to start?

“I didn’t really know where to start,” he admitted. “Trying to connect with organizations when you don’t know the area... it’s harder than it sounds.”

He wanted the day to matter, to do something that would genuinely serve others. But without local connections, the possibilities felt endless—and uncertain. That’s when the answer came from right within his own team.

Janice, his lead CSR, mentioned a local assisted living facility where she had worked before. It was a place she knew well and cared about deeply. She made a call, and within a few days, the plan was set: the EcoShield Austin team would be spending their service day with the residents of The Pointe at Cedar Park.

When the team arrived at The Pointe, the atmosphere was calm and welcoming; sunlight streaming through the windows, quiet laughter echoing from down the hall. The staff greeted them warmly, and the residents were curious about the group of smiling volunteers in green EcoShield shirts.

The team quickly divided into smaller groups, ready to help wherever they were needed. Some rolled up their sleeves to clean the kitchen and common areas, wiping windows and tidying spaces where residents gathered. Others chose a slower pace: pulling up chairs for card games, crossword puzzles, and heartfelt conversations.

A few made their way through the halls carrying small gift bags filled with candy and coin purses—simple tokens meant to bring a bit of extra joy to someone’s day.

“There were people there who don’t have family that come see them,” Christopher said. “Just being able to sit and talk meant the world to them... and honestly, to us too.”

As the morning turned to afternoon, the team began to notice something shift. The work wasn’t just about cleaning or organizing. It was about connection: the shared laughter, the quiet moments, and the stories that filled the room. By the time the group wrapped up, the room was full of chatter and smiles. What began as a service project had turned into something far more meaningful.

Like many volunteer efforts, the day started with a bit of uncertainty. Not everyone on the team was immediately enthusiastic about spending a day at an assisted living facility. Some worried it might feel awkward or that their help wouldn’t make much of a difference.

But that changed almost instantly.

“Once we left, everyone was like, ‘Man, that was awesome. I want to go back,’” Christopher said. “They were already talking about going back before we even got back to the office.”

What surprised them most wasn’t the gratitude of the residents—it was the impact the experience had on their own team. The sense of unity, purpose, and perspective carried over long after the service day ended.

“That change in attitude—seeing the impact they had on others—made the day meaningful in a way that caught everyone a little off guard.”

For Christopher, Shield Day represents more than just one day off work. It’s a reflection of the values that define EcoShield’s culture.

“I’m blessed to be part of a company that doesn’t just say they care—they show it,” he said.

It’s a company grounded in the belief that people matter: customers, team members, and community members alike. That belief comes to life through their mission: to spread happiness and create the happiest family on Earth.

He spoke about how powerful it felt to see that mission in action. Not just in their day-to-day work serving customers, but in moments like this, where the focus shifts outward to the wider community.

“This company gives us room to do that,” he said. “We’re already planning to go back for the holidays. The team even said, ‘Forget a Christmas party for us—let’s do something for them instead.’ That tells you everything.”

As the EcoShield Austin team packed up their supplies and said their goodbyes that day, something had changed. The simple act of serving others had deepened their sense of purpose, not just as coworkers, but as people who care about their community.

For Christopher, it was more than just a successful Shield Day. It was a moment of clarity in a new chapter of life—a reminder that finding your place in a new city isn’t just about learning the streets or meeting new people. It’s about finding ways to connect, to serve, and to make a difference where you are.

For the Austin branch, the day didn’t end when they left the facility. It sparked an ongoing commitment to kindness, a reminder that small acts can go a long way, especially when they’re done face-to-face, human to human.