Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/715089
Below: Crowley's Kevin Frantz, left, volunteered with his family to support a farm aiding residents of Malpaisillo, Nicaragua. and courses range from academics to social skills to physical therapy. The opportunity to volunteer is a chance for employees to make an impact their communities, and continue building on the positive effects of Crowley Cares for people and non-profits where the company operates. "It's good that you make a difference," Schmidt said. "It's good to feel like you help people. I feel like it's part of our mission in the world." participation that makes a difference in the lives of our employees and impacts the organizations that need our help across our communities." Crowley's leadership team is also getting involved. On a recent business trip to Honduras, the team spent the better part of a day painting and making repairs to Fundacion Amor y Vida, a non-profit organization for children who are HIV-positive or have AIDS, particularly orphans. Crowley's team painted and cleaned a classroom, library and computer room at the school. Afterward, more than 30 children gave hand-made cards to members of Crowley's team, including Chairman and CEO Tom Crowley. In fact, the employees' contributions continue to go beyond dollars. The impact of individual volunteerism and contribution efforts is notable. As Hebert found, the support went beyond a Crowley Cares funding request to include co-workers joining her at the Alaska Heart Run. "We've had really good support each year," Hebert said. Elsewhere, Jacksonville Talleyrand warehouse employee Vaughn Waters, a tank mechanic, and his family helped the non-profit organization Future Generation International Missions Inc. in Jacmel, Haiti, by delivering personal necessities provided by Crowley Cares to the orphanage's 30 girls and one boy. Future Generation International Missions' focus is on the disadvantaged girls living on the streets of Port-au- Prince, providing food, clothes, shelter, education and health care. The Crowley Cares program aided the March effort with a "Zip It for a Cause" event where employees packed shampoo and hygiene products, over the counter medicines, first aid items and other necessities in plastic zip bags for kids. During his 10-day trip, Waters and his family performed vehicle and home repairs, worked on the electrical system of a community building in Haiti, and volunteered their time with the orphans. "The kids were overjoyed with thankfulness from our giving. Having the ability to combine Crowley Cares support with our mission and volunteering helped make the children's lives better," said Waters. Another example is Crowley's Kevin Frantz, director of engineering integrity, liquefied natural gas, who organized and volunteered support along with his family on behalf of Sheep Not Goats, a Florida-based non-profit aiding the poor in Malpaisillo, Nicaragua. Sheep Not Goats assists residents with job opportunities at a farm supported by the non-profit in the town of Malpaisillo. The farm's primary output is tilapia, plantains and tomatoes. Among other work on the farm, Frantz designed a solar electrical system to power the pumps for the fish farm. Besides matching Frantz' contribution, Crowley Cares came through in May with another "Zip It for a Cause" event, similar to the event supporting Haiti, with Crowley employees bagging items for children in the Nicaragua community. "Anytime you get involved at the grass- roots level, it delivers a lot of impact," said Frantz. Crowley Cares Committee member Luis Schmidt, a cargo claims adjuster in Jacksonville, also led efforts to volunteer at the North Florida School of Special Education. He said the benefits of volunteerism and contributions are many, and the committee's work is valuable. He spearheaded Crowley's support of the school, helping organize volunteers to clean up and landscape the non-profit, which teaches students age 6 to 22. The school began operations 25 years ago, It's good that you make a difference. It's good to feel like you help people. I feel like it's part of our mission in the world." Learn more about... Crowley's corporate responsibility programs at crowley.com/impact ? 23 Connections Summer 2016