Holiday Spirit at Fitch Irick is a reminder that culture is shaped by the moments that bring people together. During the holiday season, we make intentional space to connect across teams, recognize one another, and strengthen the working relationships behind our work in affordable housing, property management, and the communities we serve.
This December, that spirit showed up in two ways: home office engagement traditions that brought creativity into the workday, and a series of team gatherings across multiple communities that gave our on-site and regional teams time to reflect, recharge, and celebrate together.
Home Office Engagement Traditions
A Gingerbread Challenge With a “Great British Baking Show” Twist
Our home office Gingerbread Challenge added a playful twist to the season, inspired by The Great British Baking Show. A few team members even dressed as the show’s hosts, setting the stage for a friendly competition built around thoughtful designs, creative details, and plenty of teamwork.
The best part was seeing colleagues collaborate outside their usual routines. Teams shared ideas, refined their creations, and supported one another through the process, creating an easy sense of connection that carried through the day.
Congratulations to our Gingerbread Challenge winners:
1st Place: Jennifer Sudbury, Alex Congdon, Fadeelah Faruq, Anderea Gonzalez
2nd Place: LauriAnn Whack, Jonathan Tuttle, Loreal McClurkin, James Munn
3rd Place: Marie McCarthy, Anita Duncan, Joana Ghiur
Workspace Decorating and Ugly Sweater Contest Highlights
The festive momentum continued with our annual Workspace Decorating Contest and Ugly Sweater Contest. Teams brought personality to their workspaces, transforming everyday desks and shared areas into seasonal displays that reflected creativity, coordination, and team pride.
At the same time, the Ugly Sweater Contest delivered plenty of laughs and helped bring teams together during a busy time of year. Whether it was classic holiday flair or a more unconventional approach, the sweaters added energy to the office and gave everyone another reason to connect.
Congratulations to our winners:
Funniest Sweater: Kimberly Blevins
Best Overall Sweater: Heather Lasker
Most Creative Workspace: Jessica Jones
Best Overall Workspace: Compliance & Agency
Holiday Gatherings Across Our Teams
The holiday season looks a little different for everyone, but the goal is the same: celebrate the people who keep our communities running while making time to connect as one team.
Bristol, Chattanooga, and Richmond Celebrations
Our first round of holiday gatherings brought teams together in Bristol, Virginia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Richmond, Virginia for friendly competition and well-earned recreation time. Activities included bowling in Bristol and time at the golf bays in Chattanooga and Richmond.
These gatherings were a chance to slow down, connect outside of the day-to-day pace, and recognize the professionalism and consistency our teams bring to residents and to each other.
Charleston and Charlotte Celebrations
As the series continued, we gathered again in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina, with two events that reflected the same purpose: making time to connect, recognize one another, and celebrate the people behind our work.
In Charleston, teams met at Topgolf for time in the bays, food and drinks, and friendly competition with cornhole. In Charlotte, we leaned into a casino theme with Roulette, Blackjack, and Texas Hold’em tables, along with a photo booth to capture the night.
Why These Moments Matter
At Fitch Irick, strong outcomes are built on strong working relationships. Whether it is a home office tradition or a gathering in one of our communities, these moments create space for teams to strengthen communication, build trust, and reinforce the collaboration that supports resident-focused service.
They also reflect the values behind our impact and our commitment to delivering stable, high-quality housing across the communities we serve. When teams know each other well, coordination is smoother, problem-solving is faster, and standards are easier to deliver consistently.
Holiday spirit at Fitch Irick is ultimately about people. The connections built through small moments and shared experiences carry forward into the work that matters most every day.