Even though BoxDrop recently opened in February, this new business has already given back to the community in the form of mattresses and monetary donations. “We look at it as you have to give to receive,” says Billy Hulin, who owns the business with his wife, Rebecca. “If we can give and help make others happy, that makes us happy.”

As a mattress distributor for a national liquidator, the Hulins have the autonomy to make their own business decisions. Since opening, that has included supporting a different charity each month. In May, it was the Iberia Homeless Shelter. BoxDrop had a promotion for Sapphire Sleep Gel Memory Foam mattresses and donated one for each that was sold that month.

“I dropped off 11 mattresses at the homeless shelter,” says Billy. “We even had a customer who donated one.”

For June, BoxDrop’s charity is The Arc Acadiana, with Boys & Girls Clubs and CASA of SoLA up next.

“We want to have 12 different charities and support the same one every year for that month,” says Billy. “If something else pops up, we’ll always have some charitable work going.”

Of course, the Hulins prefer charities that need mattresses, but the Arc donation will come from a percentage of each mattress sold in June. They also have a donation box in the store for customers who want to chip in further. Billy says the value of giving was instilled in him at an early age, and Rebecca puts those words into action by taking care of her mentally handicapped brother.

“If I see someone that needs something, it makes me happy that I can make someone else happy,” says Billy. “Charities are underappreciated and underfunded and if I can do my part, maybe it will inspire other people.”

Billy works two jobs during the day, with his mom helping run the store, and Rebecca works at Arceneaux Ford, so if they can find time to give back, anyone can. “We’re a new business, but we still find a way,” he says. “We want to show other businesses that they should be doing this as well.”

He says customers have responded positively to BoxDrop’s mission of service. The store takes giving requests and charity suggestions, too. “We see this as a great opportunity for New Iberia and a way that we could do a lot of good things,” he adds.

The best part? Opening additional locations in Acadiana is part of the business plan, so there is more good to be done.