Community Involvement
As committed as we are to be a good partner with our Clients, Vertek employees are equally committed to partner and support our local communities and various charities. It is an important part of who we are. Throughout the year Vertek employees make a selection of the projects we will participate in, locally, nationally, and internationally. Vertek employees develop and structure the programs, dedicating their time to participate in the events, set up fundraising, or both depending on the type of event sponsored. The goal is to have fun while making an important contribution to those in need. Some of the recent events are as follows:
Vertek Corporation’s Third Quarter 2007 Event and Charitable Donation:
Brad Soutiere, Vertek President, and Pete McCormick, Vertek Finance Manager, met with Vermont National Guard Adjutant General Mike Dubie in February and donated $5,000 to the Guard’s Charitable Fund. The fund was set up and is administered by the Vermont National Guard to help troops who are having difficulty making ends meet at home. It assists troops who are currently deployed or have recently returned from deployment by providing short-term financial support.
Vertek Corporation Annual Coat Drive – November 2007
Our annual coat drive was a true success this year as in years past. The company donated close to 100 coats for adults and children. The coats are brought to Gadues Dry Cleaning where they are cleaned and then distributed to the COTS Family Shelter where the need truly is.
Pictured is David Ugalde, a Customer Service Specialist II at Vertek delivering the coats to Gadues.
Vertek is proud to be a family company, and strives to give back to our wonderful State of Vermont and its families.
Vertek Corporation’s Second Quarter 2007 Event and Charitable Donation:
Vertek, Gold Sponsor for “Kid Safe”, attended the 2007 KidSafe Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on April 17. The employees presented KidSafe with a check for $5,000.
KidSafe is a non-profit organization that serves children and families. Their mission is to build the capacity of families to provide safe, supportive and economically stable environments where they and their children can thrive. These services are accomplished by focusing on two initiatives: KidSafe Centers (providing Out-of-School) programs, and Project A.L.E.R.T. (Adult Literacy Employment Readiness Training).
Vertek is a family oriented organization that chose this charity for the excellent programs and activities in place throughout Vermont.
Angels Network:
Vertekians are a part of the nationwide "Angels Network", supporting the troops in Iraq with boxes of items they need and can enjoy. This is Vertek's way of showing our appreciation and sharing our thoughts and prayers during their service to our nation. We will continue to send out our gift boxes once a month or until our heroes come home.
JFK Elementary School Reading Program:
Since 2001, members of the Vertek Corporation have supported our community by reading with the students of JFK Elementary School in Winooski, Vermont. Over the past seven school years, Vertek has sent participants from all levels of staff and management to the reading program.
In 2006-2007, almost 20 percent of the Vertek team volunteered their time every week to nurture the love of reading in the students at JFK Elementary. Speaking about Vertek readers, JFK Coordinator of Education Mary O'Rourke said, "you people do a lot for us and we are very grateful". Vertek participants in the program are equally thankful for the chance to have a positive influence on the students of JFK Elementary.
Community Coat Drive:
Vertek participates annually in a “Community Coat Drive”, collecting winter coats for area shelters and those in needs. Vertek employees collect around 80 coats each year; deliver to the dry cleaners to prepare them for distribution in our community.
Chittenden Food Shelf:
Vertek supports our local Chittenden Food Shelf, organizing fundraisers to raise cash as well as collecting non-perishable goods for the Food Shelf which is distributed throughout the year to those in need.
Vermont Warmth Program:
Vertek contributes funds to help relieve those in need with fuel assistance to get them through the very long and cold winter season here in Vermont.
Francis X Ahearn Sr. Foundation:
Vertek was a part of The Francis X Ahearn Sr. Foundation that recently wrapped up its second-annual benefit party, raising more than $120,000 for families with members facing cancer. The foundation was started in the memory of Francis Ahearn Sr., father of Frank Ahearn, CEO of McGraw Communications, a New York-based CLEC. The senior Ahearn died in 1996 of lung cancer. The foundation aims to help families who are experiencing the physical, mental and financial strains that accompany ongoing cancer treatments. More than 110 people attended the latest benefit party. Donations can be made on the foundation’s Web site at www.fxasr.org.
Erin Raftery Golf Classic:
Every year we support and contribute the Erin Raftery Golf Classic sponsored by employees of AT&T. The event raises funds to support the care of employees or members of their families with cancer. Each year the proceeds go to a different person. We have been supporting this event for 12 years and will continue to support it in 2009. Vertek provides the golf balls for each golfer and sponsors a team of four golfers for the event.
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta for Kids:
Vertek supports sending children to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta -- Vermont’s camp for kids who have or have had cancer. The Camp offers a one-week-a-year-jam-packed magical happening for each child. There are traditional program offerings in activities like swimming, athletics, ropes course, arts and crafts, and music, but Ta-Kum-Ta’s true calling card is "special events": boat rides and lakeside cookouts with the Vermont State Police, dance parties, rock climbing expeditions, theme carnivals, ballgames and an annual formal dinner/dance. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta has an all-volunteer staff of 70 and is independent and self-sustaining. The Camp is financed completely through private donations and fundraising from generous contributors like Vertek. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta and accepts all of its children tuition-free.
www.takumta.org
Adopt a Family for Christmas:
“Adopt a Family for Christmas” is another annual event Vertekians look forward to each year. The Vermont Children’s Aid Society gives Vertek the opportunity to adopt a local family for Holiday gift giving. Fundraising events months prior to the Christmas Holiday go to the purchase of gifts and food items for our adopted family, sharing the joys and true meaning of the season. It is a time of blessing for all in that we are able to help ease the financial stresses for a family during the Holidays.
Boys and Girls Club of Burlington:
Boys and Girls Club of Burlington offers support and mentoring for area children who use the Club services. Vertek helps to financial support elementary-school aged children in a safe and secure and learning environment. Busy working parents can rest assured and have the peace of mind that their children have a safe place to play sports, use the computer center, take part in educational and fun activities, and simply spend safe supervised time with friends and adult staff.
American Heart Walk and American Cancer Society:
American Heart Walk and American Cancer Society Daffodil Days – Both are annual events where Vertek takes a very real part in the raising of funds through our selling of “Daffodils” here at Vertek and Vertek volunteer walkers encourage friends and family to take steps toward heart-healthy lifestyles and contribute to the American Heart Association which supports the research and education of those who will be touched by heart disease during their lives.
Action Against Hunger:
Vertek supports AAH (Action Against Hunger) during the Tsunami disaster. Vertek raised over $1,000 to help those in need around the world who experienced the devastation and losses due to the Tsunami event. Vertek was very happy to support an organization like AAH who is very successful in management of funds they receive as 89% of the donations are actually used to carry out emergency help to all of their worthy causes around the world.
Action Against Hunger, 247 West 37th Street, Suite 1201, New York, NY 10018
212-967-7800
www.aah-usa.org
North Country Animal League:
North Country Animal League began as the Lamoille County Adoption Service in 1990. During its first three years in operation, LCHS adopted close to 400 animals per year. With great support from the community members like Vertek, NCAL has adopted over 6,000 animals since 1994. Through the generosity of local veterinarians and support from volunteers every adopted animal has been spayed or neutered. NCAL does not euthanize animals in their care to make room for incoming animals. Adoptions have increased and fundraising activates have allow NCAL to save lives and offer healthy animals to our community.
