Philanthropy Archives — ľ��AV

Off the Clock: Sheila Farthing on Wellness and Giving Back

ľ��AV PR — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 12:00:33 +0000

“Off the Clock” is a blog series that explores the interests and causes to which ľ��AV employees devote themselves outside of work.

EXCELLENCE. GRIT. DRIVE. COMMUNITY.��

In It for the Joy

In this installment, we interview Sheila Farthing, marketing operations manager at ľ��AV and vice-chair of the Wellness Employee Resource Group (ERG). She has a passion for health and fitness and advocates for emotional, mental, and spiritual health as critical components of wellness. She is also the co-founder of a nonprofit engaged in infrastructure and agricultural projects and child nutrition in the bush areas around Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Sheila Farthing

Marketing Operations Manager
Vice-Chair, Wellness Employee Resource Group

Q: What got you started pursuing a health-conscious lifestyle?

I’v�� always been an active person. I played sports in high school, intramural sports in college, and have played on several softball teams since I was in my 20s. My family has a history of health issues and I wanted to do whatever I could to avoid those, so I started running in my 30s. For me, running is great mental therapy — and it’s free!

Q: You’re the vice-chair of the ľ��AV Wellness ERG. Most people think of wellness as extending beyond just exercise and fitness to encompass a person’s whole being (mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual). How do you live that out, and how does the Wellness ERG help ľ��AV employees live that out?

The ľ��AV Wellness ERG focuses on five wellness pillars: emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and family. It also provides a safe space for employees to learn and talk about issues that are often avoided in a traditional corporate or public setting, like mental health issues. As a side note, for those employees interested in joining the Wellness ERG, you can go to the ľ��AV Connect ERG page and click join. We would love to have you!

When it comes to living out wellness, I believe emotional, spiritual, and social health are all intertwined. I try to have daily quiet time where I talk with God, read scripture, and focus on how I will be a positive light during the day and show love to my family, friends, co-workers, and others.

I think acts of service are critical to emotional and spiritual wellness. I visited Zimbabwe many years ago on a church trip and was so deeply affected by the poverty and despair in the areas we visited that I felt called to do something. I went back for a couple of years, and in 2011, my friend and I started a nonprofit working in the bush areas around Victoria Falls. We’v�� built or refurbished 16 school blocks (buildings that hold 2-4 classrooms), built a clinic, started a food program that now feeds 10,000 children in the bush one meal a day, started an agriculture program that sets up gardens at schools in the bush, and drilled several wells for schools and villages. Working to help those in need plays a huge role in my emotional and spiritual wellness, which ultimately results in a happier, healthier me.

Q: You recently completed the Big Sur International Marathon. Is there any overlap between the mentality you develop when training for a marathon and the mentality needed to bring your best self to work every day?

I trained for six months for the marathon. Lots of time running during the week and really long runs on Saturdays. I struggled with a couple of pretty bad muscle strains that knocked my training off schedule and made me almost lose hope, but I kept plugging along. I think it’s a lot like trying to be your best at work. Sometimes you kill it, other times you’re frustrated because it just isn’t working. In those moments, all you can do is pick yourself back up and persevere.

My big takeaway from Big Sur is that I can do hard things. Often, I’m afraid to try hard things because I don’t want to be a failure. There were a lot of failures for me during my training, but each one taught me something and made me better. So, I’ll keep trying hard things because I think it makes me better.

Exercise and fitness training require you to not only be disciplined and organized, but to be able to recognize when it’s time to shift priorities. Training can be grueling and there are times when it’s not fun, which, for me, is a sign that it’s time to shift, turn off the watch, unplug the headphones, and just run for the joy of it. You need the same kind of skill in the workplace. Know when it’s time to shift. If you’re working hard but no longer having fun, it may be time to reevaluate.

Q: Everyone is extremely busy these days. Often, it seems to be a major obstacle for those who would like to live healthier but haven’t found a way to incorporate that into their daily routine in a way that sticks. Any advice or insight into how you make it work?

When I have trouble getting my training runs in during the week, I put them on my schedule as a task. If I can’t get it in before or after work, I make sure that I get out at lunch. Even if I can’t get my entire run in, I try to get out for a walk around the block with my dog. I think anything you do, no matter how small, is better than nothing.

Q: In addition to everything we’v�� talked about thus far, you also serve as the ľ��AV philanthropy coordinator managing ľ��AV Cares and ľ��AV Engage. How does the company’s involvement with various charitable causes and volunteering impact your work fulfillment and satisfaction?

With the roles that I have taken on during my time at ľ��AV, it makes a huge impact obviously. When ľ��AV says that philanthropy and volunteering are central to the company’s culture, those aren’t just words – they really mean it. Between ľ��AV Cares, which sponsors volunteer activities and fundraises throughout the year, and ľ��AV Engage, which allows full-time employees to apply for grants supporting a charity organization of their choice, there are so many ways to get involved. And that, again, ties back to acts of service and helping build not just a culture of giving back, but a community of ľ��AVers who have more opportunities to nourish their emotional and spiritual wellness.

“Off the Clock” is a blog series that explores the interests and causes to which ľ��AV employees devote themselves outside of work.

Learn more about how philanthropy, volunteering, and giving back are central to ľ��AV’ culture.

The post Off the Clock: Sheila Farthing on Wellness and Giving Back appeared first on ľ��AV.

11 Employee-nominated Orgs Receive ľ��AV Engage Grants

ľ��AV PR — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:00:18 +0000

Listen to article:

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Eleven charitable organizations from across the nation, all nominated by ľ��AV employees, have received ľ��AV Engage grants this fall. These donations support a variety of causes close to the hearts of ľ��AVers — from helping veterans transition from military to civilian life, to clothing and feeding children in need, to treating injury and disease, and more.

This latest wave of ľ��AV corporate giving is a result of nominations our employees made in July, August, and September (Q3) of 2023. One of several ľ��AV corporate giving programs, ľ��AV Engage donates funds to multiple employee-nominated charities every quarter.

Read about the causes our Q3 ľ��AV Engage grants are supporting and the ľ��AV employees who made it happen.

NOMINATED BY:

Tina Thomas

Operations Research Analyst

Altrusa International supports communities through a huge variety of service, literacy, fundraising, and international projects. Learn more .

“I am co-chair for the Literacy Committee for 2023-2024 and a member of the budget committee. We are partnered with the Adult Literacy League of Central Florida, Operation Homefront, Children’s Advocacy Center, among others. We volunteer our time, talents, and resources through our partnerships with these organizations to offer help to those in need.”

NOMINATED BY:

Candy Realosa

Staff Accountant

The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Learn more .

“I’m doing the Bike 50 Miles Challenge for the American Heart Association to stay active and help fight heart disease and stroke. Thank you ľ��AV for your support!”

NOMINATED BY:

Octavius Duffey

Business Analyst

Founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2015, Assist With Helping Hands provides school supplies, holiday gifts, home improvements, and more for children and families in need.

“I use my contractor’s license to provide no- or low-cost home improvements to those needing repairs to their homes.”

NOMINATED BY:

Cody Mruk

Senior Business Development Lead��

Brain Wellness Fund helps military service members, veterans, first responders, and kids receive research-based, noninvasive treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, concussion, depression, and other neurological conditions. 100% of net donations support treatments that heal brains and restore lives. Learn more .

“My family and I are very involved in the Brain Wellness Fund and look forward to once again supporting their annual Night of Hope for Heroes Gala. My mother has dedicated her life to this cause as my brother, a Marine who suffered from PTSD, went through treatment, and it successfully rid him of his PTSD symptoms.”

NOMINATED BY:

Festus Acha

Quality Assurance Lead

Since 2010, Generosity Global has fed more than 30,000 homeless men, women, and children. In 2019, it launched a mobile shower trailer to help the homeless meet basic personal hygiene needs. Learn more .

NOMINATED BY:

Asad Akhtar

Vice President of Analytics, Automation, and Artificial Intelligence��

Keswick Sensory provides a safe, relaxed farm environment where children with autism can learn, grow, and thrive through immersive interactions with animals and nature. Learn more .

“As a new organization, it has been great to see Keswick Sensory open its doors and begin to help children with autism. For more than a year now, I’v�� been a Keswick Sensory donor and volunteer.”

NOMINATED BY:

James Byroads

Senior Developer

Maryland’s largest autism organization, Pathfinders for Autism offers free programming, resources, training, information, and activities that improve the lives of those living with autism. Learn more .

NOMINATED BY:

Dennis DeLaCruz

Senior System Administrator

Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Locker #505: Students Clothing Bank provides school-appropriate clothing for K-12 students in need. Learn more .

“I’v�� donated clothing and backpacks over the last five years. This charity is greatly needed for underprivileged kids in Albuquerque.”

NOMINATED BY:

Alexis Grems

Recruiting Lead

Maui Food Bank helps the hungry in Maui County, Hawaii by collecting and distributing food through community partnerships. In recent months, it has also helped to provide shelter, clothing, and other resources and support for Maui residents in need. Learn more .

“My home state of Hawai’i has been ravaged by climate change. The Maui Food Bank has been an easy way for me to make a real impact from here on the mainland. I’v�� been a monthly donor ever since I started receiving a paycheck, and I’v�� run two virtual food drives in the time since the fires.”

NOMINATED BY:

Greg Jacobson

Vice President of Enterprise Solutions��

Operation Renewed Hope Foundation (ORHF) helps veterans break their cycle of homelessness and avoid homelessness through its housing, transportation, and other services. Learn more .

“I’v�� been a volunteer and board of directors member for more than ten years and love the focus ORHF brings to serving our veterans. More than 1,200 veterans are no longer homeless, which is measured by each veteran being in a home for more than a year.”

NOMINATED BY:

Antonio Turner

Director

Warriors Ethos provides service members and veterans with the career planning, professional development, and placement services and assistance they need to successfully transition from military to civilian life and secure work that enables economic and family stability. Learn more .

“I’v�� been involved with Warriors Ethos for nine years. I’m currently a board member and used the program myself when I transitioned from the Army to the civilian sector.”

ľ��AV employees have ways to give back to the community.

Learn more about ľ��AV Engage and our other philanthropic efforts.

JOIN US!

The post 11 Employee-nominated Orgs Receive ľ��AV Engage Grants appeared first on ľ��AV.

ľ��AV Engage: Six Organizations Receive Grants in Q2 2023

ľ��AV PR — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 11:00:46 +0000

Every quarter, ľ��AV recognizes and applauds the efforts, commitment, and personal time our employees dedicate to the betterment of their communities. In service of those efforts, we started the ľ��AV Engage grant program, ��an opportunity for full-time employees to apply for grants in support of volunteer involvement. Every quarter, applications are evaluated by the ľ��AV Engage committee made up exclusively of ľ��AV employees and given merit based on employee involvement and the organization’s mission and impact.

The second quarter of 2023 marked another great quarter for ľ��AV Engage, with six organizations selected to receive grants! Read on to hear the stories of these organizations and their sponsors and learn about the positive impacts they make, as well as how you can support their missions.

NOMINATED BY:

Scott Bauman

Technical Data Developer/Bulletin Writer, USPS

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s fundraising event, Bike MS®, is the largest fundraising cycling series in the world. Each year, nearly 50,000 cyclists and more than 5,000 teams take part in 50 rides across the US with experiences that are unique to each ride: from your local community, to rides by the ocean, in the mountains, through a winery, and more. The Bike MS community has raised more money than any other cycling event for any other cause: $1.4 billion to stop MS in its tracks, restore what’s been lost, and end MS forever.

“This is my 4th year riding in the Bike MS Oklahoma event. I’m riding for friends Estelle Canopy and LuAnn Kelly, co-worker Robert Shaw (his mother has MS), and in memory of Hillary Hawkins (former co-worker). MS doesn’t just affect individuals; it affects entire families, which provides additional motivation for how many people I can help by riding.”

NOMINATED BY:

Angela Olmstead-Gaete

Senior Consultant, Healthcare Transformation

Since the organization’s founding in 2010, Catch A Lift (CAL) Fund has helped thousands of post-9/11 combat-injured veterans regain their mental and physical health through gym memberships, in-home gym equipment, personalized fitness and nutrition programs, and a peer support network. CAL has awarded over 8,600 grants and raised more than $6.7 million for thousands of veterans.

“I got involved with CAL as the spouse of a disabled veteran, which allowed me to witness firsthand the transformative impact of their programs on individuals and families like mine. My veteran’s journey towards physical and mental well-being was challenging following the end of his military service, but after he found CAL and joined our local gym, I witnessed a transformation. The inclusive and supportive atmosphere, along with the guidance of trainers and therapists, allowed him to overcome his fears and adapt workouts to accommodate his disabilities. The physical benefits of regular exercise boosted his self-esteem and confidence, while the cathartic release of emotions and the endorphins released during workouts became a natural antidote to his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Moreover, the community of fellow veterans and gym members offered support, understanding, and a sense of belonging that he didn’t know he had been missing since leaving the military.”

NOMINATED BY:

Kevin Stainback

Master Specialist, Business Architecture Team

The mission of Reeves Downtown School of Music is to provide exceptional year-round musical education and performance opportunities to students in Elkin, NC, and beyond. The school seeks to promote and encourage musicians of all genres through performances, workshops, and master classes, and to expose students and audiences to new forms of self-expression through instrumentation, sound, and rhythm. Another aspect of the school’s mission is enhancing the artistic imprint of the Yadkin Valley region, encouraging arts tourism, and inspiring future generations of musicians and music enthusiasts to keep musical traditions alive.

“I’ve been involved in Reeves Downtown School of Music in Elkin, NC, since its inception. I currently serve on the board and have put many volunteer hours into property management and maintenance. I have also been an adult student in several of the classes. The ľ��AV Engage grant will pay for eight (possibly more) students’ tuition.”

NOMINATED BY:

Ralph Nabicht

Manager, ServiceNow Training Group

Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 57 started in August 2007 with four Boy Scouts who transferred from another Troop to pursue their goal of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop 57 is a boy-run troop, which means the scouts decide upon and organize the campouts and events they want to participate in.

There are now 44 active scouts in Troop 57, all four founding scouts have since advanced to Eagle Scout, and several current scouts are planning their Eagle service projects. Troop 57 proudly draws its membership from communities comprising Indian Prairie School District #204: Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook, and Plainfield, IL., as well as the neighboring community of Oswego.

“I have been an assistant scoutmaster for 15 years in my local BSA Troop. The Troop services low-income youth predominantly and offers scholarships through local businesses for boys who cannot pay for camping and summer camp.”

NOMINATED BY:

Casey Van Camp

Director of Training

Founded in 2015, Warrior Rising is a veteran-started non-profit with the goal of transforming veterans into “vetrepreneurs.” Since its founding, Warrior Rising has grown from a regional to a national organization with a robust outreach, developing sophisticated programs that leverage remote learning, building a network of mentors and coaches, and awarding grants that will result in the creation of 100 veteran-owned million-dollar businesses by 2024.

“I work closely with the Warrior Rising founder and leadership team to help provide training for veterans on a wide range of subjects, including leadership, management, and conflict resolution.”

NOMINATED BY:

Ronald Ferrell

Military Analyst, Project Coordinator

The purpose of the Army Aviation Museum Foundation (AAMF) is to foster and perpetuate the United States Army Aviation Museum as a medium to educate the public on the important role of Army aviation and inspire students undergoing professional military training. The foundation also assists with developing and enhancing the facilities of the museum’s present and future artifacts and collections, as well as receiving, holding, and administering gifts received from individuals, other organizations, corporations, foundations, and philanthropies.

At ľ��AV, we remain committed to community as one of our core values, and to using philanthropy, volunteering, and the power of teamwork to make life better for our friends and neighbors.

Interested in becoming a part of our culture?

JOIN US!

The post ľ��AV Engage: Six Organizations Receive Grants in Q2 2023 appeared first on ľ��AV.

ľ��AV at 30: Investing in Our People to Make a Difference

ľ��AV PR — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 11:00:21 +0000

From our humble beginnings as an energy services subcontractor to competing for and winning some of the largest opportunities in the federal market, ľ��AV’ success has always been driven by our people. Our staff of nearly 4,000 hard-working, bright, resilient, curious, and collaborative professionals bring their best selves to do mission-critical work every day.

ľ��AV NAMED A TOP WORKPLACE BY WASHINGTON POST FOR SIXTH TIME | 2023

Because our people make all the difference both for us and for our customers, we’re not shy about how we invest in employee success at ľ��AV. We’re committed to empowering our employees to advance their careers and make an impact in their communities.

Read on to learn how ľ��AV has made investing in our people a cornerstone of our success for 30 years.

Learning, Growing, and Leading: Professional Development

Educational opportunities are key to cultivating our next generation of leaders and technical experts, and curiosity, drive, and professional development are at the core of our company culture. ľ��AV offers annual reimbursement and cash bonuses to incentivize our employees to pursue training and education, including undergraduate and graduate degree courses, professional and technical programs, and other job-related certifications.

ľ��AV also offers partial tuition reimbursement for new employees for up to four years of an advanced STEM degree.

Kicking Down Doors

Kicking Down Doors is a series highlighting the achievements of employees who are on the rise at ľ��AV.

Trevor Taylor

on Managing Complex Programs

Will Klemen

Journey to Cybersecurity Expertise

Roger McIntosh

From the NFL to ľ��AV

Rebecca Cuffage

Path to Program Management

Ross Serino

and the Future of Cloud Operations

Ready to kick down doors in your career?

Careers at ľ��AVCareers at ľ��AV

A Culture of Giving Back: ľ��AV Cares | ľ��AV Engage

At ľ��AV, philanthropy and volunteering are central to our culture, which is why we have two philanthropic initiatives — ľ��AV Cares and ľ��AV Engage — dedicated to sponsoring employee volunteer activities, fundraising and raising awareness for a range of charitable causes, and awarding grants to employee-sponsored non-profit organizations. In 2022, ľ��AV donated to a total of 41 organizations.

In 2022, ľ��AV donated to a total of41 ORGANIZATIONS.

Girls Who Code | Calvary Women’s Services | AllStarCode | World Central Kitchen | CARE | Spark the Journey/CPE | Boys and Girls Club | Toys for Tots | Community Cooperative | Hurricane Ian Relief Fund | Winter Park Achievement Foundation | Capital Partners for Education | Tidewater Disaster Response | No One Left Behind | The Mint Project

Bike MS – Oklahoma | Wolf Trap Animal Hospital | ImpactLife | Gifted Resource Council | Bike MS – Chesapeake Challenge | The RECing Crew | Capital Area Food Bank | Operation Renewed Hope | Army Aviation Museum Foundation | Girl Scouts Nations Capital | ARC of Frederick | The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation | Better2gether | Equine Welfare Society

Assist with Helping Hands | Pathfinders for Autism | Campfire Critters Animal Sanctuary | C4K | Alzheimer’s Association | Equi-Kids Therapeutic Riding Program | LiftMeUp! | Next Steps Farms | The Trevor Project | Horses with a Mission | One More Wave | Homewood Center | ChildHelp | Make a Wish

Fostering Innovation: ľ��AV Pitch Day

ľ��AV Pitch Day is an annual event in which our employees are encouraged to pitch ideas for a solution, service, or product that could have a significant impact on our customers and their missions. By providing a platform for real-time feedback and coaching and refining pitch techniques, ľ��AV empowers our employees to develop and grow professionally. We also invest in their ideas, even bringing the best to life as real-world solutions, and offer cash incentives to help spark ingenuity.

Stronger Together:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Innovative solutions require a diverse set of viewpoints, ideas, and beliefs. In 2022, ľ��AV implemented a strategic DEI Plan as part of a larger push to build a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace.

To that end, we have 11 voluntary, employee-led ERGs (ranging from allies of those with disabilities to caregivers to military veterans) to serve as safe places for internal communities, promote the well-being of employees, and enable the growth of mutually beneficial relationships.

As ľ��AV celebrates 30 years of investing in our people, we remain committed to empowering our employees with the tools to excel in every aspect of their professional lives.

Ready to become part of the ľ��AV story?

Join us to meet the challenge, make a difference, and do work that serves our nation and the world.

The post ľ��AV at 30: Investing in Our People to Make a Difference appeared first on ľ��AV.

ľ��AV Engage: 2023 Q1 Recipients

ľ��AV PR — Wed, 03 May 2023 11:00:06 +0000

Every quarter, ľ��AV recognizes and applauds the efforts, commitment, and personal time our employees dedicate to the betterment of their communities. That’s why we started the ľ��AV Engage grant program, an opportunity for full-time employees to apply for grants in support of volunteer involvement. Every quarter, applications are evaluated by the ľ��AV Engage committee made up exclusively of ľ��AV employees and given merit based on employee involvement and the organization’s mission and impact.��

The first quarter of 2023 marked another great quarter for ľ��AV Engage, with nine organizations selected to receive grants! Read on to hear their stories and learn about the positive impacts they make, as well as how you can support their missions.��

NOMINATED BY:

Kyle Dixon

Senior Systems Engineer, USPS Memphis

The Wolf River Conservancy was formed in 1985 as a non-profit local land trust in order to protect lands along the Wolf River (western Tennessee and northern Mississippi) as a public natural resource. The organization actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting in fee-land or conservation easement acquisition, or by its stewardship of such land or easements.��

“I have been a river guide and trail ambassador for five years, guiding groups of kayakers on tours of the Wolf River and engaging with the public. It’s a privilege to be involved with a Conservancy that goes above and beyond the traditional roles of a land trust by educating youth and the public, as well as engaging the community through the Wolf River Greenway.”��

NOMINATED BY:

Heather Lucent

Tier 1 Supervisor, FBI EOC Pocatello

Casting for Recovery (CfR) provides healing outdoor retreats for women with breast cancer, at no cost to the participants. CfR’s retreats offer opportunities for women to find inspiration, discover renewed energy for life, and experience healing connections with other women and nature. The retreats are open to women with breast cancer of all ages, in all stages of treatment and recovery.��

“I was one of 14 women selected to attend a life changing CfR retreat in September 2022. I was part of the 70%�� of women suffering from breast cancer who had never attended a support group, but CfR’s unique program model on how to connect, exercise, work through emotions, and share knowledge hooked me. Now I help with fundraising events and have helped start a committee to set up an annual CfR alumni retreat.”��

NOMINATED BY:

Christopher Cali

Project Manager, JHS – CDO ESS

Piedmont Search and Rescue (PSAR) is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization formed in 1997 to fill a void for professional search and rescue (SAR) services in the central Virginia area. PSAR is activated through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the request of local law enforcement. PSAR will respond anywhere in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and if requested, will respond out of state as well.��

“I have been heavily involved with PSAR since 2013, logging more than 1,000 hours and 14,750 miles with the organization. The volunteers there, who train independently and are certified to the standard set by the Virginia Department of Energy Management (VDEM), do great and important work. Whenever there is a lost person, whether it be a toddler who has wandered off or an adult with a disability of some kind, VDEM dispatches PSAR to assist the local Sheriff’s Offices across Virginia any time of the day or night.”��

NOMINATED BY:

Carissa Russo

Senior Consultant, PREVENTS

Little Hands Virginia, a Richmond-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the only organization in central Virginia solely dedicated to providing essentials to economically disadvantaged children in the first years of their lives. Little Hands is focused on the early years, making sure children in the region are clean, healthy, and cared for from day one. Through the organization’s network of over 60 partner organizations, Little Hands served over 1,700 children in 2022 and has supported more than 4,000 children since its founding in 2019.��

“The work of Little Hands is invaluable to the community and extremely important for families whose medical costs overshadow their ability to pay for baby essentials. The organization has delivered on such a variety of needs, from diapers, clothes, coats, stroller frames, and feeding supplies to an air purifier for an infant going to the hospital for cranial surgery.”��

NOMINATED BY:

Elise Salvia

Director of Program Management

The Savior Foundation, a non-profit organization, provides necessary care for animals, assisting care givers who are unable to provide the medical treatment to help their pets in need. Some of the services provided include spay/neutering, food, medicine, veterinary assessments, and treatment for other critical conditions.��

“I am president of The Savior Foundation and have volunteered there for 13 years, managing all requests for medical treatment and maintaining all the information regarding the animals we help such as photos, contacts, stories, updates, and so on. It’s very special to be a part of an organization that promotes a positive attitude towards animal welfare.”��

NOMINATED BY:

Charlie Garavaglia

Data Engineer, Unstructured Data JHS

LaunchCode was founded in 2013 to help people with non-traditional backgrounds find fulfilling, upwardly-mobile careers, and to help companies find skilled, new technology talent from all backgrounds and walks of life.��

“I was involved with the job placement side of LaunchCode as I was transitioning from a pure math background to tech skills. I found them immensely helpful and later returned to assist their Women+ program in data science, which specifically targets women and nonbinary individuals to help erase the tech gender gap.”��

NOMINATED BY:

Meskerem Gebregiorgis

Senior Contracts Administrator

Britepaths provides short-term safety-net services to individuals and families in northern Virginia while empowering them to work toward long-term self-sufficiency. In addition to financial support, the organization provides career training/coaching, mentoring and networking opportunities, and financial consulting.��

NOMINATED BY:

Joshua Sager

PAI Trainer

The C4 Foundation was created to provide resources and support to active-duty Navy SEALs and their families. Through neuroscience-based programs recognized by Naval Special Warfare, the organization strengthens relationships and support networks for our nation’s most elite warriors, their immediate families, and the broader SEAL community.��

“Charles Keating (Chuck) was a teammate of ours who was killed in action during our 2016 Iraq deployment and my involvement includes supporting every foundation event when able. I’v�� been able to assist with logistical support and community outreach to spread information about the foundation and its resources for veterans of the Special Operations community. The foundation’s mission of reducing stress, strengthening family connections, and nurturing feelings of optimism and gratitude is critical to supporting the Naval Special Warfare community.”��

NOMINATED BY:

Brian Johnson

Senior Recruiter

Willing Warriors is a privately-funded 501 (c)(3) charitable organization offering cost-free getaways from the hospital environment where veterans of the armed forces and their families can come to relax, spend quality time together, and reconnect. The organization’s programs include more than 40 cost-free educational and recreational activities, including seminars that address issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).��

“I have been working with Willing Warriors on and off for the last five years, providing entertainment services for them for their annual fundraising events. It’s a pleasure to partner with a retreat designed to help warriors and their family members return to the routine of rebuilding their lives while feeling refreshed and inspired.”��

At ľ��AV, we remain committed to community as one of our core values, and to usingphilanthropy, volunteering,and thepower of teamworkto make life better for our friends and neighbors. Interested in becoming a part of our culture?

JOIN US!

The post ľ��AV Engage: 2023 Q1 Recipients appeared first on ľ��AV.

Make a Difference: The O’Fallon Blood Drive

ľ��AV PR — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 16:20:32 +0000

Twice a year for the past three years, Seth Noe and have organized a blood drive for their peers at ľ��AV. The event has become a tradition in O’Fallon, Illinois, where Herb and Seth work on the Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES). Recently, Herb, Seth, and the GATES team celebrated their sixth successful blood drive! In partnership with , a blood center serving their local community and surrounding area, Herb and Seth helped collect 17 units of blood this holiday season!

One unit of blood can impact up to 3 patients!

102

Number of units raised to date

“The holidays are a critical time for blood donations. Supply is low and demand is high. We organize our blood drives to coincide with times when people need it most.”

Herb Wesselman
Senior Portfolio Manager and Longtime Donor

10 gallons to date

“45 million people will require blood transfusions this year, but only 3% of the population regularly donates blood. We’re proud to support ongoing donation efforts with our 6th blood drive!”

Seth Noe
Configuration Manager and Longtime Donor

4 gallons to date

#MakeADifference
Donate Today

At ľ��AV, we’re dedicated to giving back. Check out our culture page to see more ways ľ��AVers support their local communities.

The post Make a Difference: The O’Fallon Blood Drive appeared first on ľ��AV.

ľ��AV Cares: A Culture of Giving Back

ľ��AV PR — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 11:00:43 +0000

As many in our country have experienced hardships throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ľ��AV’ employees have been steadfast in supporting the causes that they are passionate about. Our ongoing philanthropy initiatives,��ľ��AV Cares��and ľ��AV Engage, give employees a chance to come together in support of one vision: helping others.

ľ��AV Engage allows our employees to apply for grants to support their favorite charities—places where they’v�� donated their own time and resources over the years. This holiday season, we are shining a light on our 2021 ľ��AV Engage grant recipients.

Bike MS

In the United States, it’s estimated that one million people over the age of 18 live with multiple sclerosis (MS). is racing for a cure. Every year, nearly 75,000 supporters participate in cycling fundraisers organized by the foundation, raising donations for each mile they peddle in a race.

By now, Jason Heuer, a senior project manager as ľ��AV, is a familiar face on the circuit. He’s ridden for the foundation so many times he’s lost count! This year, with sponsorship from the ľ��AV Engage grant, Jason undertook a 54-mile charity ride. Even when last year’s races were canceled due to COVID-19, Jason still raised the funds and completed the ride alone, leaning on his family and friends to support him along the way. This mission is intensely personal for Jason—his wife and brother both live with the disease.

”I’ll keep cycling until my legs tell me I can’t anymore. I’v�� done these rides to support my wife and brother, and I can’t express the gratitude I felt to have ľ��AV’ generous support this year.
JASON HEUER

Huntington’s Disease Society of America

The (HDSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Huntington’s disease: an incurable, rare, and inheritable disease that causes progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain.

Matt Fuller, executive director of enterprise sales at ľ��AV, is intimately familiar with the impact the disease can have on families and communities. For the last fifteen years, he’s watched his friend’s dad struggle with the disease. In that time, Matt and his friends have dedicated countless hours towards raising money for HDSA. Five years ago, they started an annual golf tournament, , with proceeds going directly to the HDSA. Since the tournament’s creation, ľ��AV has been a premier sponsor, helping Matt and his friends raise money for the treatment and cure of this devastating disease.

”The Good Guy Classic was born out of a passion for fun, family, and the community. With ľ��AV’ help, we have been able to raise over $85K to date for HDSA!
MATT FULLER

Boulder Crest Foundation

Despite increased public attention and funding, suicide continues to be an epidemic among veteran populations. According the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated many of the mental health issues veterans face. The provides training, counseling, and mental health services to veterans, first responders, and their families dealing with post-traumatic stress and related issues.

Bob Shields, ľ��AV vice president of national security and intelligence, has been involved with Boulder Crest since its creation. For the last few years, he and other ľ��AV employees have helped prepare Boulder Crest’s 37-acre facility for its summer slate of trainings, programs, and retreats. While COVID-19 concerns prevented this year’s visit, Bob was able to provide socially distant support through the ľ��AV Engage grant.

”With help from the ľ��AV Engage grant, Boulder Crest Foundation continues to help veterans transform their struggle into a source of continued strength.
BOB SHIELDS

Looking forward: Giving in 2022

Ready to be a giver in 2022? Stay tuned for news on upcoming ľ��AV Engage campaigns. Together, we’ll build an even stronger band of volunteers and donors in order to show up for our local communities during the pandemic and beyond.

Check out Our Culture page to see how ľ��AV and our employees continue to give back every day.

The post ľ��AV Cares: A Culture of Giving Back appeared first on ľ��AV.

ľ��AV Cares: A Culture of Giving Back 2019

Hayley Merchant — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 17:40:19 +0000

Marketing Associate
Philanthropy Coordinator

At ľ��AV, we understand what happens when people come together for a shared goal: communities grow stronger and lives are changed. As individuals, ľ��AV employees are givers. We’v�� seen a surge in involvement in our philanthropy programs and an enthusiasm about giving back. Our ongoing philanthropy initiatives, ľ��AV Cares and ľ��AV Engage, give employees a chance to come together in support of one vision: helping others. In 2019, employees spearheaded giving campaigns in ľ��AV offices across the country and supported companywide efforts. Last year, three campaigns united ľ��AV employees: our spring blood drive, The Joy of Sox campaign, and Marine Toys for Tots.

Company support for giving

ľ��AV Cares identifies charitable organizations to support throughout the year. Each quarter, we create a campaign to support a charity or national cause. We provide each ľ��AV office with communication tools, directions, and a schedule. By collectively supporting one cause at a time, we create a powerful wave of positivity while nurturing a strong company culture.

Spring Blood Drive

According to the American Red Cross, blood donors help people of all ages, from accident and burn victims to heart surgery, organ transplant, and cancer patients. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. During the ľ��AV Cares blood drive last spring, ľ��AV employees donated 74 pints of blood to local blood banks. Herb Wesselman, a program manager for the GATES��project in O’Fallon, Illinois, helped organize co-workers for his office blood drive to benefit the (MVRBC).

”As a retired military officer, I appreciate the ability to continue to serve the nation as part of a company that is dedicated to protecting our freedom, as well as giving back to the communities in which we live.
HERB WESSELMAN

Autumn Sock Campaign

During the winter months, clean, warm socks can make a difference for children and families experiencing homelessness. organization mobilizes donors across the country to connect with homeless shelters in their communities to donate new socks to those who need them most. Across the company, ľ��AV staffers donated more than 1,500 pairs of socks and $1800 in funds to area homeless shelters. Rebecca Cuffage, a deputy program manager of mission systems in Dahlgren, Virginia, teamed up with her coworkers to collect and donate more than 350 pairs of socks in their location alone.

”When one of our team members asked if we could get involved, because they too had been homeless as a child, I understood the impact this effort could make. We learned that shelters often have socks for adults, but rarely enough for the children. I could not be prouder of our team—who made sure there were more socks for kids—and ľ��AV for promoting the campaign.
REBECCA CUFFAGE

Toys for Tots

Our final ľ��AV Cares campaign of 2019 was a holiday toy drive to collect donations for ľ��AV employees brought gifts to eight drop-off locations across the company, as well as to ľ��AV holiday parties and happy hours. Together, we donated new toys, games, and funds to children in need, making the holidays a little brighter for kids and families in our local community. ľ��AV director Beth Missar took part in the year-end drive.

”ľ��AV Cares has become an important part of who we are as a company. It’s a great feeling to know that we can connect with coworkers and colleagues to take part in activities that really make a difference for those around us.
BETH MISSAR

Looking forward: Giving in 2020

There’s so much we can accomplish when we work together. Ready to be a giver in 2020? Stay tuned for news on upcoming ľ��AV Cares campaigns. Together, we’ll build an even stronger band of volunteers and donors, showing up for our local communities in meaningful ways.

Learn more about ľ��AV’ culture of caring at ecstech.com/about/our-culture.

The post ľ��AV Cares: A Culture of Giving Back 2019 appeared first on ľ��AV.

Philanthropy Archives — ľ��AV

Off the Clock: Sheila Farthing on Wellness and Giving Back

“Off the Clock” is a blog series that explores the interests and causes to which ľ��AV employees devote themselves outside of work.

EXCELLENCE. GRIT. DRIVE. COMMUNITY.��

EXCELLENCE. GRIT. DRIVE. COMMUNITY.��

EXCELLENCE. GRIT. DRIVE. COMMUNITY.��

EXCELLENCE. GRIT. DRIVE. COMMUNITY.��

EXCELLENCE. GRIT. DRIVE. COMMUNITY.��

EXCELLENCE. GRIT. DRIVE. COMMUNITY.��

EXCELLENCE. GRIT. DRIVE. COMMUNITY.��

EXCELLENCE. GRIT. DRIVE. COMMUNITY.��

In It for the Joy

Sheila Farthing

Marketing Operations Manager Vice-Chair, Wellness Employee Resource Group

Q: What got you started pursuing a health-conscious lifestyle?

Q: You recently completed the Big Sur International Marathon. Is there any overlap between the mentality you develop when training for a marathon and the mentality needed to bring your best self to work every day?

Q: Everyone is extremely busy these days. Often, it seems to be a major obstacle for those who would like to live healthier but haven’t found a way to incorporate that into their daily routine in a way that sticks. Any advice or insight into how you make it work?

“Off the Clock” is a blog series that explores the interests and causes to which ľ��AV employees devote themselves outside of work.

Learn more about how philanthropy, volunteering, and giving back are central to ľ��AV’ culture.

11 Employee-nominated Orgs Receive ľ��AV Engage Grants

Read about the causes our Q3 ľ��AV Engage grants are supporting and the ľ��AV employees who made it happen.

NOMINATED BY:

Tina Thomas

NOMINATED BY:

Candy Realosa

NOMINATED BY:

Octavius Duffey

NOMINATED BY:

Cody Mruk

NOMINATED BY:

Festus Acha

NOMINATED BY:

Asad Akhtar

NOMINATED BY:

James Byroads

NOMINATED BY:

Dennis DeLaCruz

NOMINATED BY:

Alexis Grems

NOMINATED BY:

Greg Jacobson

NOMINATED BY:

Antonio Turner

ľ��AV employees have ways to give back to the community.

Learn more about ľ��AV Engage and our other philanthropic efforts.

ľ��AV Engage: Six Organizations Receive Grants in Q2 2023

NOMINATED BY:

Scott Bauman

NOMINATED BY:

Angela Olmstead-Gaete

NOMINATED BY:

Kevin Stainback

NOMINATED BY:

Ralph Nabicht

NOMINATED BY:

Casey Van Camp

NOMINATED BY:

Ronald Ferrell

At ľ��AV, we remain committed to community as one of our core values, and to using philanthropy, volunteering, and the power of teamwork to make life better for our friends and neighbors.

Interested in becoming a part of our culture?

ľ��AV at 30: Investing in Our People to Make a Difference

ľ��AV NAMED A TOP WORKPLACE BY WASHINGTON POST FOR SIXTH TIME | 2023

Read on to learn how ľ��AV has made investing in our people a cornerstone of our success for 30 years.

Learning, Growing, and Leading: Professional Development

Kicking Down Doors

Trevor Taylor

Will Klemen

Roger McIntosh

Rebecca Cuffage

Ross Serino

Ready to kick down doors in your career?

A Culture of Giving Back: ľ��AV Cares | ľ��AV Engage

In 2022, ľ��AV donated to a total of41 ORGANIZATIONS.

Assist with Helping Hands | Pathfinders for Autism | Campfire Critters Animal Sanctuary | C4K | Alzheimer’s Association | Equi-Kids Therapeutic Riding Program | LiftMeUp! | Next Steps Farms | The Trevor Project | Horses with a Mission | One More Wave | Homewood Center | ChildHelp | Make a Wish

Assist with Helping Hands | Pathfinders for Autism | Campfire Critters Animal Sanctuary | C4K | Alzheimer’s Association | Equi-Kids Therapeutic Riding Program | LiftMeUp! | Next Steps Farms | The Trevor Project | Horses with a Mission | One More Wave | Homewood Center | ChildHelp | Make a Wish

Fostering Innovation: ľ��AV Pitch Day

Stronger Together:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Ready to become part of the ľ��AV story?

Join us to meet the challenge, make a difference, and do work that serves our nation and the world.

Marketing Operations Manager
Vice-Chair, Wellness Employee Resource Group

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

#MakeADifference
Donate Today

Marketing Associate
Philanthropy Coordinator