Right from the start, when AccuTrex Products opened the first building in Southpointe in 1993, United Way of Washington County has had a presence here. Every year, more businesses are partnering with United Way by embracing the “Live United” theme and accepting the call to action: “Give-Advocate-Volunteer.” For companies in Southpointe, the call to action is far more than a slogan. They recognize the importance of being good corporate citizens and connecting with the community where they do business.
Today, many of us are turning to volunteer work to round out our lives. This is especially true for workers born after 1980. This young work force has come of age at a time when community service has been a large part of their high school and college experience, and they developed an interest in volunteering early.
High schools, colleges, sororities and fraternities not only encourage community service, they often require it. As a result, there has been a corresponding change in the workplace. Today’s workers don’t want to park their values at the door. They are asking companies, “What is your purpose? What do you stand for? How are you giving back?”
For many young job hunters, a prominent employee-volunteerism program is a strong selling point. Corporate recruiters are saying that company philanthropy and opportunities for direct involvement are hot topics at campus job fairs. More employers are allowing people to fill volunteer assignments on company time and the company dime.
Modis Solutions and PBS&J, both located in Southpointe, have worked with United Way to outline volunteer opportunities for their employees. In 2008, Modis employees built and furnished a children’s playroom in the Avis Arbor facility at Washington City Mission. PNC Financial Services Group has an entire volunteer program that includes partnerships with roughly 200 nonprofits nationwide. Aker Solutions, AccuTrex, PBS&J, Modis, Centimark and Champion International Moving all participate in United Way’s “Caring Tree” program, with employees fulfilling holiday gift requests for the needy.
Southpointe employees are strong advocates in Washington County, as well. They are active politically and socially and serve on the boards of dozens of nonprofit agencies. United Way currently has board members from Range Resources, Consol Energy, Columbia Gas, Community Bank and RRI Energy.
The volunteer panels that review applications for United Way funding and interview the agencies requesting the funds are an integral part of United Way’s operation. These people are charged with the extremely important responsibility of investing the dollars contributed to United Way in the most efficient and effective way possible.
We are accountable to our donors and must insure that their hard-earned dollars are directed to local programs and services that are most needed and most ethically operated. Southpointe companies that have given employees a paid day to serve on a panel include Range Resources, Columbia Gas, EOG Resources and Community Bank.
As important as the “advocate” and “volunteer” components of United Way’s call to action are, the “give” component is crucial. Whether they give as individuals or through workplace campaigns, their generosity and commitment are inspirational.
Teen pregnancy, autism, job training, domestic violence, counseling, mental illness, mentoring, senior care and meeting the basic needs of food, clothing and housing are just a sampling of where United Way is investing contributions.
Southpointe companies have been extremely generous with their time and resources. The top three workplace campaigns for 2009 are in Southpointe, by companies that weren’t even in Washington County five years ago. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Consol Energy and Range Resources collectively raised $213,000 in 2009 through individual and corporate donations. PBS&J, Mylan, AccuTrex, State Farm Insurance, Ayco, PNC Financial, Community Bank, Vitac, Weld Tooling, Continental Design & Management, Fairmont Supply and Bug-o Systems International all conduct exciting and innovative campaigns in Southpointe. Their campaigns are imaginative and competitive and usually involve lots of food, contests, incentives and rewards, all for the benefit of the people of Washington County.
For more information on how your company can LIVE UNITED, please call me at 724-225-3310 or visit our website, www.unitedwaywashco.org. n