As Peachtree Pest Control celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company is marking the milestone in ways that extend far beyond pest control. Through its year-long "50 for 50" initiative, the locally owned business has committed to completing 50 acts of community service.
"We wouldn't be celebrating 50 years without the trust and loyalty of our customers," Alicia Maresco, Marketing Director, says. "Many families have relied on us for generations, and we never take that for granted. '50 for 50' is our way of saying thank you by giving back and making a positive difference in the communities we serve."
The initiative officially launched on March 24 with a partnership between Peachtree Pest Control and Bikes for Goodness Sakes. Employees assembled 10 bicycles, complete with helmets, which were donated to children participating in programs at Nicholas House, an Atlanta nonprofit that supports families experiencing homelessness.
For Maresco, the bike build remains one of the campaign's most meaningful projects.
"Seeing those bikes go to kids who truly needed them was incredibly rewarding," she says. "It perfectly captures what '50 for 50' is all about: bringing our team together to make a meaningful, lasting impact."
Since the campaign began, Peachtree Pest Control has completed 33 community service projects, contributing 43 employee volunteer hours while partnering with 19 nonprofit organizations. The company has supported initiatives benefiting food banks, schools, foster children, veterans, environmental programs, and families throughout its service area.
Among the projects that stand out most is the company's summer food drive, which supports the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the Golden Harvest Food Bank in Augusta. The effort was designed to help meet the increased demand many food banks experience during the summer months when children no longer have access to school meal programs.
Another memorable partnership involved Presley's Peace Love & Lemonade, an annual lemonade stand organized by a young girl in Augusta. Peachtree Pest Control matched her $2,500 donation to Corazón Bonito, a nonprofit serving foster children and individuals receiving hospice care.
The nonprofit later shared how part of those funds helped provide pallets of bottled water to a local church operating a cooling center for people experiencing homelessness during extreme summer heat.
"It was powerful to see how a small community fundraiser, amplified through partnership, created a ripple effect that directly supported some of the most vulnerable residents in our area," Maresco says.
Rather than focusing on a single cause, the "50 for 50" campaign was intentionally designed to address a range of community needs.
"We're committed to supporting our communities wherever help is needed," Maresco explains. "Whether it's supporting families, schools, environmental efforts, veterans, or other local causes, our goal is to give back in ways that reflect the unique needs of each community. As a local company, we believe being a good neighbor means showing up, lending a hand, and making a positive difference wherever we can."
That philosophy has resonated throughout the organization. Employee participation has exceeded expectations, with team members enthusiastically volunteering while also suggesting new organizations and service opportunities throughout the year.
The campaign has also introduced the company to nonprofits it had not previously worked with, opening the door to new partnerships that may continue well beyond the anniversary celebration. For Peachtree Pest Control, those relationships reinforce an important lesson learned over the past five decades.
"Community involvement is an important part of being in the service industry," Maresco says. "We're not just serving customers; we're serving our neighbors."
As the company works toward completing all 50 service projects, leaders hope residents remember the campaign as more than an anniversary celebration.
Looking ahead, Peachtree Pest Control expects the spirit behind the initiative to continue long after its anniversary year concludes. "Our focus will always remain the same," Maresco says. "Protecting what matters most while making a positive impact on the communities we serve."
"We wouldn't be celebrating 50 years without the trust and loyalty of our customers"