End-of-Year Reflections: Sarah Hodges

As we wrap up this year, we invited colleagues around the world to reflect on and share their achievements, challenges, and goals.

Sarah

Sarah Hodges, Customer Service Representative

One of the biggest lessons I learned this year is the importance of connecting with people.

This year, I ran my first full marathon, which is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done! With the help of friends training with me, encouraging me, and supporting me, I crossed the finish line of the Charlotte Marathon on November 16. It was challenging, but by connecting with friends and family, I did it!

The importance of connection applies in the office as well. There isn’t a day that I can be successful at my job without the help of my co-workers. I may be the person working with the sales reps and the customers, but everyone in the plant is just as important. Building these relationships between the various departments makes us that much more successful for our customers.

This coming year, my goal is to continue to learn and work with other departments. I believe learning other areas of the job creates a better understanding of how other departments operate and helps build professional relationships. At the end of the day, it takes a team to get the job done, and I’m very grateful for the connections I have made. I look forward to growing those connections throughout 2025!

Announcing the Launch of the Heroes ERG: Honoring Our Veterans and Military Community

We recently announced the launch of the Heroes Employee Resource Group (ERG). Heroes will support Leggett & Platt’s values and demonstrate our commitment to Hiring Our Heroes while identifying, recognizing, supporting, and giving leadership opportunities to our L&P service members, veterans, spouses, family members, and supporters.

We are proud to introduce Erik Kempf, President of L&P Flooring, as our Executive Champion. He brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our military community. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding the strategic direction of the ERG.

Joining Erik is our Core Leadership Team, a group of passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference for our military community.

  • Matt Caldwell, VP of Hospitality Sales, and a Veteran of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division.
  • Kenny Gay, EHS Manager for Operation Services, and a Veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves.
  • William Wright, EHS Manager – Europe & Row, and a Veteran of the British Royal Navy.

Please join us in congratulating Erik, Matt, Kenny, and William!

The Women’s ERG Raises Money for Breast Cancer Research

In October, the Women’s ERG sponsored fundraisers to support an important cause – the fight to end breast cancer. Leggett & Platt teams in North and South America held walks and other events, with all proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation or other breast cancer charities. In total, the Women’s ERG raised over $9,000!

The Event – By the Numbers

  • Total Dollars Raised: $9,282.75
  • Total Participants: 390 employees and 231 guests
  • Countries Represented: 3 – The United States, Brazil, and Canada
  • Branch with the Highest Fundraising: Rensselaer U.S. Spring in Rensselaer, Indiana – $1,060
  • Branch with the Highest Participation Percentage – Leggett & Platt Flooring Products in Salisbury, NC, with all 45 employees participating for 100% participation

Here are just some of the branches that supported the month-long event.

The Leggett & Platt Flooring team in Illinois raised $500 for Susan G. Komen and wore shirts to raise awareness and support the cause.

The Carthage team hosted the Susan G. Komen Walk Where You Are Event at the Corporate Headquarters in Carthage, MO. The event encourages groups to walk where they are to raise awareness and support for breast cancer research. Together, Carthage employees raised over $1,000.

The Leggett & Platt Flooring team in Salisbury, NC, held a walk where the entire branch, 45 employees, participated and raised nearly $400.

Terrafix Geosynthetics had five Canadian branches participate in the Walk Where You Are Event – Toronto, Ontario; Ottawa, Ontario; Edmonton, Alberta; Calgary, Alberta; and Surrey, British Columbia. Combined, the Canadian branches raised over $1,500 for breast cancer research.

Leggett & Platt Fort Worth Prime in Fort Worth, TX, held a chili cook-off and donation raffle for paid personal time off, raising $285. Congratulations to the winners of the paid time off raffle and the chili cook-off!

Leggett & Platt Flooring Products – Fort Worth Rebond in Fort Worth, TX, held “Pie For The Cure,” where team members could throw a pie at their colleagues to raise money. The team raised $647.

Hanes Geosynthetics – Greenscapes in Calhoun, GA, held a pancake breakfast, fundraising raffle, and walk, raising $117 for breast cancer research. At the end of the walk, the team hosted a traveling coffee truck for the 40 participants.

The Leggett & Platt Brazil team, along with the help of the local health department and volunteers, hosted a walk and community event. Over 270 people participated, holding group exercises, and the health department spoke about early prevention and how to do a self-breast exam. They had a breakfast table and water for all participants after the walk.

Samantha Howell, Vice President of Human Resources for Hanes and Flooring divisions, made bracelets with 100% of proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Hanes Industries in Conover, North Carolina, sold raffles for a chance to win a couch donated by a customer. The team raised $295 for Susan G. Komen.

The Rensselaer U.S. Spring team in Rensselaer, IN, held a raffle to benefit Pink for Sam, a local breast cancer charity. They raised $1,060 – the most of any branch! Congratulations to the raffle winners, Mark and Delmar!

Thank you to our Women’s ERG for organizing and promoting such an important event and to all of our branches for your commitment to putting people first!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We wish you a day full of gratitude spent with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

In Every Direction

Whether it’s the milestones we reach or the challenges we overcome, gratitude is at the heart of our journey. In every direction life takes us at L&P, we have so much to be grateful for:

  • our people, whose dedication drives our success.
  • our customers, who inspire us to innovate and improve.
  • our products, which reflect our commitment to comfort and quality.
  • our communities, whose support makes us stronger.
  • our values, which guide all of our relationships and actions.

We want to say thank you for being with us every step of the way!

Walking to Save Lives

Last month, L&P team members and their families participated in the American Heart Association’s Four States Heart Walk at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO.

Combined with a contribution from L&P, the walkers raised nearly $3,500 for the American Heart Association and their fight against cardiovascular disease – the number one killer of all Americans.

“I know we all have our own stories and reasons for supporting this wonderful event, and awareness is so important,” said Suzanne Hall, Assistant Treasurer and Team Captain.

Thanks to our L&P team and their families for walking to save lives and doing great work together!

Appreciating Our Differences

On International Day of Tolerance, we’re reminded that differences don’t have to divide us.

When we appreciate diversity, whether in culture, thought, or perspective, we can learn from a wider range of ideas and experiences and leverage what we learn. Our differences can build bridges to better solutions for our businesses, communities, and planet.

At L&P, we appreciate our differences and encourage everyone to leave their unique marks on the world!

L&P Celebrates World Kindness Day

Today is World Kindness Day. On this day, we celebrate the power of kindness and how empathy, compassion, and care toward one another can build bridges to meaningful connections. At L&P, we value putting people first. When you prioritize others, you naturally engage in acts of kindness that build trust and create strong, lasting relationships.

Take time today to spread kindness and love. Here are a few ideas to get started.

Send an Appreciation Note: Think of someone who has positively impacted your life and send them a quick note, whether through email, handwritten, or left on their desk – tell someone you are thinking of them.

Pay Goodwill Forward: Start a ripple effect of kindness by doing something nice for someone and asking them to pay the kindness forward. It can be paying for someone’s coffee in the drive-through, simply carrying someone’s bags, or holding a door. Many times, a simple act of service can change the trajectory of someone’s day.

Volunteer: There are numerous causes that need the care and compassion of others. If you don’t know where to start, visit VolunteerMatch – a site that helps connect you to non-profit organizations in your area based on your interests.

Listen and Validate: Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for someone is to listen and allow a person to be seen and heard. Offering validation to someone who feels misunderstood, hurt, or scared can profoundly enhance their emotional well-being.

As we celebrate World Kindness Day at L&P, let’s remember that every act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to make a significant impact.

Happy Veterans Day!

Today, we’re thinking of all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

To our colleagues and those in our communities who have served, thank you for your service!

Remembrance Day

November 11 is Remembrance Day. Today, we honor all those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms of others.