How We Celebrated Wendy’s Day
FiscalNote’s annual day of service — titled “Wendy’s Day” in honor of our former chief of staff Wendy K. Martinez — began Friday when a team member posted a photo of a luminous sunrise via Slack:
“Dedicating this sun salutation to Wendy! Although I was not fortunate enough to meet her in life, her love lives on in many of the people at FiscalNote that have grown close to my heart. I am making a donation to the Wendy Martinez Legacy Project to continue her legacy of love and light. Doesn’t matter what you do today, just do it with love!” — Melvin Ellis, Assoc. Consultant, Professional Services
Typically, FiscalNote observes this specific day of service by providing in-person volunteer support to our many charitable partners, including Capital Area Food Bank, Friendicoes, Food Bank for New York City, A Wider Circle, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, DC Central Kitchen, and Calvary Women’s Services — a testament to our ongoing pledge to create community impact through service.
Though Wendy’s Day looked starkly different this year due to the global pandemic, we celebrated our former colleague and friend — and this annual tradition — in asking FiscalNoters to perform intentional acts of kindness, make donations to our community partners, or simply get moving.
More than 50 employees — past and present — shared their good deeds and poignant remembrances of Wendy over social media using the hashtag #WendysDay2020 in what became a steady, daylong outpouring of virtual service and support that spanned the globe.
In Gurgaon, India, team members made donations to Assam and Bihar — districts battling the aftermath of raging floods, on top of COVID-19.
Director of Operations Aanchal Sudhakar penned a letter to the Earth Saviours Foundation, sharing Wendy’s story.
Stateside, Senior Strategy Advisor Chris Lu was one of dozens of employees who laced up to walk, hike, cycle, and #RunforWendy — she was an avid runner and 2018 San Diego marathoner — hence the “get moving” aspect of the initiative.
“Remembering my friend as I head out on a morning run.”
Lunchtime Peloton rides, waterfall hikes, sanctuary strolls, yoga practices — every spin, step, and breath dedicated in Wendy’s name.
A myriad of school supplies, baked goods, clothes, and books were donated, too.
Associate Consultant Hagen Schlotzhauer, of FiscalNote Europe, which is anchored in Brussels, Belgium, gave blood:
“During the pandemic, blood banks have been struggling. I got an appointment today!”
Latinas in Tech and Women Who Code, a pair of organizations centered around causes Wendy staunchly supported, also saw of rush of contributions.
“I donated to Women Who Code today to help support strong women in technology, just like Wendy!” — Marissa Brady, Director, QA
The day finished with a flurry of donations made to another charity she so fervently championed — Girls On The Run — a fitting bookend to an occasion colored by droves of simple-yet-profound kindnesses performed by FiscalNote team members, alum, and supporters; and Wendy’s family and friends.
“I will be taking a long walk around DC today and just donated to Girls on the Run in honor of Wendy. Wendy would have LOVED seeing so many people participate in our day of service.” — Morgan DeAntonio, Sr. Account Manager
If you wish to make a donation in Wendy’s honor, we recommend choosing from this list of FiscalNote’s community partners and include #WendysDay2020 within the donation memo.
