Living Our Mission
To everyone at CNA Stores, every day is Veterans Day. We work hard to ensure that everything we do reflects our mission statement – Quality, Integrity, and Commitment. These values align with our built-to-serve attitude. Along with the Cannabis Community of Giving, we have donated over $180,000 to support many local charities. We are proud that most of those funds have gone to respected organizations, like Veterans Northeast Outreach Center and Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, that support veterans in our local area. In addition to financial aid, CNA employees have completed 1600 hours of large and small “boots on the ground” services for many organizations in the communities where we work and live. You may have seen us in Amesbury and Haverhill shoveling out veterans and seniors during winter storms or joining Earth Day cleanup activities, but you may not have seen us raising the function tent for the Amesbury Council on Aging’s summer events for senior citizens or assembling furniture for a local organization. Also, people may not be aware of our food drives and our contributions both financially and in the sorting and distribution process. Built to Serve – we don’t just talk the talk. We walk the walk every day, offering to help fill the gaps in services that people in our communities desperately need.
Our customers and wholesale partners have joined our efforts to support local charities. Customer donations in our Charity of the Month jars in both stores have raised more than $200,000 in the past two years, which we have passed on to local charities to help them continue their work. Some vendors have made donations directly to our preferred charities. Another vendor, Root & Bloom, donates $.50 for each of their products sold in CNA Stores. Monthly checks are sent to local organizations, including VNEOC, to support their efforts on behalf of veterans. We hope that all these efforts combined will help to legitimize our industry. In addition, we hope that CNA Stores, a veteran-owned, veteran-led business with veterans making up 20% of the staff, demonstrates every day that we put our integrity where our boots are – working in the communities that we love and where we live.
Patriot Week is a time dedicated to honoring our heroes and educating the community about the true meaning of Memorial Day. Established in 2016, Patriots Week aims to inspire and educate about Honor, Service, Sacrifice, Character, and Duty. From Armed Forces Day to Memorial Day, this weeklong observance highlights the importance of understanding the distinction between these two significant days. As the Mandalorian says, “This is the Way.”
CNA Stores participated in several events during Patriots Week to thank those who gave their all in the name of service. It was an honor and a privilege to help memorialize their service and to have it live on in our daily work.
The week began at the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes (MFH) annual gala dinner. It was a memorable evening at the Encore Boston Harbor Hotel where we joined Gold Star Families, fellow veterans and influential leaders. The event helped to raise awareness of the invaluable services of the MFH and paid tribute to the 301 brave military members who have been lost since September 11, 2001. CNA is honored to have been a part of this gathering that celebrated legacies and honored families.
Representatives of CNA Stores attended the 3rd annual Hometown Heroes Banner ceremony and presentation in Haverhill which honored local veterans, active duty, and fallen soldiers. We stood proudly alongside our community to pay tribute to their sacrifices and dedication. A special banner was unveiled for our friend Scott Forbes, a true hometown hero who recently lost his life. When asked, CNA Stores did not hesitate to sponsor a memorial banner to honor the work, passion, and dedication of Scott Forbes’ life. Our staff had had the pleasure of working with him on many projects involving VNEOC and other services for veterans. (The banner program was implemented by the Haverhill Exchange Club.)
Also, during Patriots Week, we joined Gold Star Families, elected officials, and distinguished guests at the 8th annual Rededication Ceremony in Boston’s Seaport District. It was a solemn, poignant occasion as we unveiled updated glass panels bearing the names of our most recent Massachusetts Fallen Heroes.
On Memorial Day, we reflected on the meaningful events we attended during Patriots Week.
