Holtkamp Heating & Air finds creative ways to support local bakery that hires special needs adults & encourages other businesses to engage as well.
In early 2017, local business owners Matthew and Suzanne Holtkamp of Holtkamp Heating & Air became aware of Special Kneads & Treats, a local bakery near downtown Lawrenceville that gives meaningful employment to adults with special needs.
Since learning of this phenomenal non-profit retail bakery that also gives free birthday cakes to foster kids, senior citizens and others, the Holtkamps have been dedicated to raising awareness about this important business in our community and came up with several creative ways to drive foot traffic into the store.
First, they mailed $10 vouchers to all their Comfort Club HVAC maintenance members for free baked goods. Then they added a $10 voucher to their playbill ad at Aurora Theatre, giving each patron the opportunity to enjoy the bakery’s tasty treats at no cost. They also purchased hundreds of cupcakes for sponsor night previews of shows, helping sponsors and their guests gain exposure to Special Kneads.
This year they added a $10 voucher to the free gallery admission ticket they sponsor at the Hudgens Center for Art & Learning. Plus they made a heart-warming video and shared it on social media where it got 50k+ views.
The Holtkamp family’s motto regarding local non-profits like Special Kneads is “Connecting our Community.” They bring their HVAC customers and patrons of other community partners together to support each other, and urge other local businesses to do the same.
Special Kneads currently employees 16 adults with special needs, but they have a whopping waiting list of over 150 that would appreciate meaningful employment. Every dollar through the door will give another deserving special needs adult a chance to earn what may be the first paycheck of his or her life.
If you’re a local business, the Holtkamps ask you to consider how you might be able to support the bakery:
• Do you have customer events or meetings that could use a dozen (or more) cupcakes?
• Would cupcakes, cakes, cookies, etc. make a great client “thank you” gift?
• Could you send vouchers to your customers?
• Could you make a donation to this non-profit or do a company fundraiser?
• Could you reward your employees with vouchers?
“However you can help, we appreciate you embracing this remarkable local business in Gwinnett,” said Matthew Holtkamp. “Every little bit helps to bring employment to these wonderful adults with special needs that desire to work and deserve a chance to contribute to our community in a safe, loving and Godly place.”