Community Service (2007)

2007-08 Corporate Charity: The Autism Society of America

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.

The Autism Society of America (ASA) is the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization. Their goal is to improve the lives of all affected by autism by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.

United Way—Through an aggressive three month fundraising program for United Way, KCI raised more than $58,000 in employee donations in the Mid-Atlantic region alone. These contributions, combined with more than $14,000 from the Northeast and Southeast, brought KCI’s fundraising tally to $73,000. Executive chair races, chili cook offs, pumpkin carving contests, casino nights and raffles were just a few of the on-site employee fundraisers held at KCI.

American Red Cross—Since 1993, KCI has partnered with the American Red Cross to coordinate blood drives to meet the ever increasing need for blood donations. The Red Cross Greater Chesapeake & Potomac Region supplies more than 80% of the blood used in the Baltimore-Washington, Northern Virginia and South Central Pennsylvania area. KCI has strived to make a difference and increase donations by increasing the number of blood drives offered at their site as well as incentives to donate to its employees such as a day off and gift certificates.

KCI Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program—Each year, a scholarship committee selects up to four children of of KCI employees to receive $2,500 educational scholarships. Selections are based on academic achievement, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors and accolades, work experience and each individual’s career goals. In 2007, recipients included Christopher Augmendi, son of Eduardo Augmendi, Hunt Valley Transportation; Evania Mans, daughter of Patrick Mans, Harrisburg Structures; Justin Beall, son of Darlene Beall, Hunt Valley Geo-Environmental; and Joel Brown, son of Charity Brown, Hunt Valley Mechanical and Electrical.

A Blueprint for Revitalizing Fairmont, W.Va.—KCI architectural historian Sandra Scaffidi took an interest in preserving the downtown of Fairmont, WV and became involved with the Main Street Fairmont revitalization program sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Because of her interest and expertise in historic preservation, Scaffidi was selected for intensive training through the Blueprint Communities Program, which promotes revitalization by training community leaders. The city is coming alive again thanks to Sandra’s efforts and other members of the BCP. “It’s definitely been worth it,” Sandra said. “In the short year that I have been here, huge strides have been made with regard to securing the future of Fairmont.”

Penn College Students Win 1st Place—Students from Pennsylvania College of Technology placed first in the Heavy Highway category at the 17th Annual Associated Schools of Construction student competition held in Fairfield, N.J. Senior Vice President Chuck Phillips, RPLS, arranged for students to meet with Steve Carl, PE, and Tony Fusco, PE, of KCI’s Hunt Valley Structures Division prior to the competition. Students were looking for bridge knowledge from a designer’s perspective. “They left with good information,” said Fusco. “We felt we made a big difference.” The Penn College team went on to win the competition with a score of 120 out of 130 possible points. In addition to the $2,000 prize, the team won an all-expense paid trip to the national competition in San Antonio, Texas, in March.

Finding a PLASE to Serve—KCI’s Mid-Atlantic Site Group Manger Chuck Phillips, RPLS, is serving on the Executive Committee of Project Plase, a Baltimore-based nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing and support to undeserved homeless adults. Founded in 1973, Project PLASE serves nearly 500 homeless men and women each year, many of who suffer with mental illness, disease and substance abuse. The organization maintains four transitional housing facilities and one 103-unit permanent housing program. Because Project PLASE rents most of their facilities, he is identifying properties for them to purchase and convert to shelters. “My contacts with developers can really help them identify potential sites more quickly than through traditional methods.”

He has also enlisted the support of KCI to help with fundraising by sponsoring two recent theatre events: “A Night at the Hippo” (Hippodrome Theatre) to see The Lion King and a production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Johns Hopkins University.

© KCI Holdings 1994-2006