Leggett & Platt

Want to feel less stressed? Consider volunteering! 👐 Volunteering can reduce the amount of cortisol – a stress hormone – your body produces, helping you feel less stressed on days you volunteer. ---------------- Source: Han S, Kim K, Burr JA. STRESS-BUFFERING EFFECTS OF VOLUNTEERING ON SALIVARY CORTISOL: RESULTS FROM A DAILY DIARY STUDY (https://lnkd.in/gFR7NYK7). Innov Aging. 2018 Nov 11;2(Suppl 1):75. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.283. PMCID: PMC6228389.

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day! Today, we’re remembering the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution – which granted women the right to vote – in 1920. We’re also celebrating the achievements of women’s rights activists and are reminded of the unique struggles women face in the pursuit of equality. We asked members of our Women’s ERG to share when they feel empowered, who inspires them, and ways we can advocate for women: https://lnkd.in/gMazqzAM

Our Bedding Products team in Rensselaer, Indiana, found a few ways to give back this year! This spring and summer, their Eco Team visited a local elementary school, participated in a community clean-up event, and donated $1,500 to their local Fire Department Training Center. At the elementary school, the team taught third graders about the history of Arbor Day, their state tree, and why trees are important for the ecosystem. They also gave 200 trees to the school’s students and staff and planted some trees with the kids. During the clean-up event, they picked up eight large bags of trash at a local boat landing. As a group, Branch 0788 sponsored their county fair and raffled off 10 grandstand tickets to their production partners. They also donated a mattress and power base to an auction benefiting a cancer event and the proceeds went to the wife of one of their team members. We’re proud of Branch 0788 for doing great work together and giving back to their community!

August 19 is World Humanitarian Day! Every day, humanitarian workers risk their lives to serve the most vulnerable people around the world. We are proud to support humanitarians by contributing to the agencies they work for. In 2023, we contributed approximately $800,000 in cash and in-kind donations to nearly 150 agencies working to provide vital resources and programs to those in need around the world.

At L&P, we believe in putting people first and doing the right thing. This year, we’ve given over $240,000 in corporate charitable contributions to programs that inspire our future, elevate our communities, and help those in crisis. Here are just a few of the ways we’ve given back: * We Rise – This is our employee and company-funded program that has helped satisfy the emergency needs of our employees in the aftermath of catastrophic events and natural disasters. In 2024, we’ve helped seven team members in North Carolina, Missouri, and Kentucky. * Big Brothers Big Sisters – This youth mentoring program pairs adult volunteers with children and young adults in the community and aims to foster positive relationships. Leggett & Platt has committed to sponsoring three matches a year, and one of the adult volunteer matches this year is an employee’s son. * Destination Imagination (DI) – This is a global community of 28 countries on six continents whose focus is to inspire and equip today’s youth to find their creative self-expression by providing challenges rooted in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). Leggett & Platt has sponsored DI for the past three years and has helped multiple teams from all over the world, including Ukraine, compete in the program and at the annual global finals. * United Way – This is a global network of over 1,800 non-profits that help fundraise for agencies focused on solutions that strengthen the education, financial stability, and health of their communities. In 2023, employees raised more than $80,000, a gift that was enhanced by a $145,000 corporate donation to United Way agencies worldwide. * Susan G. Komen – This non-profit organization is dedicated to breast cancer awareness, research, and support. Last year, the Women’s ERG partnered with Susan G. Komen and held the More Than Pink Walk Where You Are event. Together, our L&P teams across North and South America raised over $23,000 for breast cancer research. We are proud of our employees and their commitment to each other, their neighbors, and their communities. Thank you for putting people first!

Happy National Left-Handers Day to all the lefties! August 13 is dedicated to celebrating the unique and creative qualities of you. Did you know that approximately 708 million people in the world are left-handed? While that sounds like a lot, that makes up only 10% of the global population. Here are some other interesting facts that make lefties stand out: - Lefties are forced to adapt. We live in a right-handed world. Whether using scissors, a can opener, or writing on a desk, most items are designed for the majority. - You may be better with directions. A study observed that left-handed people showed a lower rate of error in a spatial orientation test than righties. - You are in good company. Eight former U.S. presidents are left-handed. Other notable lefties include Paul McCartney, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Prince William, Napolean, Lady Gaga, Bill Gates, Charlie Chaplin, Mother Teresa, and Joan of Arc. - You may bounce back from injuries faster. Research on brain-related injuries shows that left-handed people recover more quickly. The cognitive functions are spread out in the brains of lefties, which means less of your cognitive functioning will be affected. If you are part of the 10% of left-handers, do something to celebrate your uniqueness today!

Job seekers in the Carthage, MO, and surrounding communities – we have an exciting opportunity for you! Join Leggett & Platt for a job fair at L&P Branch One in Carthage, MO, on August 13! From 1 PM to 5 PM, stop by to see our open shifts and benefits package, fill out applications, and take advantage of onsite interviews. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our Hanes Geo Components business helped 29 families in Iron Station, North Carolina, by donating gabions – wire mesh box-shaped baskets filled with aggregate that prevent soil erosion and stabilize slopes – for a new community bridge. Before the bridge, the only way in and out of Iron Station was by crossing a dirt road over a creek prone to flooding. Earlier this year, flooding washed out the culvert, leaving residents cut off from the rest of the world. This wasn’t a new problem for the Iron Station community, as the culvert occasionally washed out and temporary crossings were usually too narrow to allow cars through. Thanks to a multi-agency effort and many volunteers, the Iron Station community has a new bridge and doesn’t have to worry about being stranded when it rains. We are proud of our Hanes Geo Components team for being a part of this effort and for putting people first!

Thank you, Pacoma! 👏

Job seekers in the Carthage, MO, and surrounding communities – we have an exciting opportunity for you! Join Leggett & Platt for a job fair at L&P Branch One in Carthage, MO, on August 13! From 1 PM to 5 PM, stop by to see our open shifts and benefits package, fill out applications, and take advantage of onsite interviews. We look forward to seeing you there!