Charleston, W.Va. - Six West Virginia businesses were honored today for outstanding dedication to their communities through service and volunteerism at the second annual Business Volunteerism Reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Charleston.
The event highlighted members of the West Virginia Business Volunteer Council and included short presentations from statewide officials and award recipients. The Business Volunteerism Awards is a new effort this year by the statewide Council to recognize businesses for the important way they play a role in making West Virginia communities better places to live and work.
Businesses from around the state were nominated in one of three award categories: Entrepreneurial Service, Spirit of Volunteerism, or Corporate Responsibility. Winners in the Entrepreneurial Service category incorporated service into their policies and practices for the first time during 2009. Winners in the Spirit of Volunteerism category significantly supported service through their policies and practices in 2009. Finally, winners in the Corporate Responsibility category logged the most volunteer hours on the VolunteerWV.org matching database in 2009.
Winners in each of the categories include the following.
· Entrepreneurial Service – Charles Ryan Associates: After seeing Watts Elementary School on Charleston’s west side struggle, Charles Ryan Associates (CRA), a Charleston-based marketing firm, stepped up to launch a partnership in education program. Through this program, CRA had an opportunity to provide financial support to a group in need, allow their employees an opportunity to volunteer their time and talents, and bring the company together to help their local community. In 2009, CRA coordinated and supported a number of programs, including Student of the Month luncheons, a student mentoring program, a playground restoration, teacher appreciation efforts, and a No-Shave November fundraiser.
· Spirit of Volunteerism [Small Company (1-50 employees)] – American Amish Company: The American Amish Company is a small business that makes a big difference in West Virginia. The Morgantown and Martinsburg-based company is one of the nation’s largest providers of sheds, barns, gazebos, swing sets and other structures built by Amish craftsman. The company contributes to a variety of community efforts in both communities. Just a few examples of the company’s 2009 projects during 2009 include a makeover to a local Ronald McDonald House, expansion of the Berkeley County Animal Control office, and building a ticket booth for Washington High School.
· Spirit of Volunteerism [Medium Company (50-200 employees)] – Bank of Charles Town: At the Bank of Charles Town in the Eastern Panhandle, service is part of the company’s core business values and is incorporated into every aspect of business. The bank’s president, Robert Baronner, is considered the “go-to guy” for the Eastern Panhandle’s nonprofit community. In 2009, employees of the Bank of Charles Town participated in many service projects including the United Way Day of Caring, and the March of Dimes, just to name a few.
· Spirit of Volunteerism [Medium Company (50-200 employees)] – Quad Graphics, Inc.: The second medium-sized business, Quad/Graphics Inc., a Martinsburg-based printing company, feels an important part of leadership development is learned through community service. The company performs values-based volunteering by building community service and volunteerism into the company’s values. Quad Graphics encourages its employees to volunteer with organizations for which they feel passionate. The company has been involved with projects such as the Berkeley County Youth Fair, the Roundhouse Restoration Project, and various recycling and anti-litter efforts with the Berkeley Community Pride organization, among many other things.
· Spirit of Volunteerism [Large Company (200+ employees)] – Brickstreet Mutual Insurance: BrickStreet Mutual Insurance, a statewide company, is dedicated to the development, promotion and implementation of community service and advocacy programs on a local, state and national level. At BrickStreet, service projects are planned and promoted by an employee community service team. In 2009, the company participated in a number of service projects including the Special Olympics, WCHS Backpack Attack, Toys for Tots, and United Way’s Sunday Scoop and Day of Caring.
· Corporate Responsibility – Saint Francis Hospital: Saint Francis Hospital, based in Charleston, recognized the importance of serving the healthcare needs of citizens in the Kanawha Valley not only through traditional healthcare services but also through community outreach. In 2009, Saint Francis Hospital logged 6,750 community service hours on volunteerwv.org, a statewide volunteer matching database.
For more information on the West Virginia Business Volunteer Council or the Business Volunteerism Awards program, contact Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s Commission for National and Community Service, at (304) 558-0111 or by visiting www.volunteerwv.org.