Building sustainable communities, together
A compelling component of TritenIAG’s company culture is our shared commitment to making the world a better, safer place. Recent volunteer group efforts have ranged from enhancing childhood education to practicing environmental stewardship to supporting at-risk communities.
Earlier in the year, we joined forces with furniture retailer IKEA to support the Westchase Neighborhood School(WNS), a unique charter school that serves an under-privileged community with tuition-free education on a par with private school education. WNS lacked a library, so we set about to furnish one. First, we collected donations and had a book drive that netted over 1,000 titles. Then, a team of our “willing and able” volunteers spent a day at WNS assembling furniture donated by IKEA for the new library; IKEA also contributed by designing the library.
"It just feels good...I think we all did a good day’s work—and although Mr. Ted E. Behr (pictured) didn’t contribute much, he’ll make a comfy reading buddy!”
Sarah Mack, a TritenIAG teammate who helped with the library setup, also brought her grandson Jeremiah. “Our experiences with WNS have shown us that nurturing children’s school experience is mutually beneficial: it just feels good! And Jeremiah enjoyed pitching in; I think we all did a good day’s work—and although Mr. Ted E. Behr (pictured) didn’t contribute much, he’ll make a comfy reading buddy!”
We also had fun in the sun participating in a one-day cleanup on Crystal Beach in Galveston, Texas. The cleanup was associated with the Texas General Land Office’s Adopt-A-Beach program along with the Keep Bolivar Beautiful initiative. Started in 1986, Adopt-A-Beach is an all-volunteer program that keeps Texas beaches clean; educates Texans young and old about harmful maritime debris; and rallies Texas support for state, national, and international action to clean coastal waters.
"It wasn’t glamorous work—think trash bags and pickup tools—but we experienced ‘instant gratification’ seeing how a single day’s contribution improved the landscape in this historic island city on the Gulf of Mexico.”
Reinforced by Boy Scouts from Klein, Texas, students from a nearby school, and other volunteers, the combined team of about 200 collected nearly 4,000 pounds of trash for removal by county infrastructure employees. Says Lisa Barker, who coordinated TritenIAG’s participation, “It wasn’t glamorous work—think trash bags and pickup tools—but we experienced ‘instant gratification’ seeing how a single day’s contribution improved the landscape in this historic island city on the Gulf of Mexico.”
More recently, we took to the bowling alley for our first “bowl-a-thon” to benefit charity. Our Houston and Greenville operations raised donations of over $9,000 matched by the company with $5,000, ultimately contributing over $14,000 to Elijah Rising, a non-profit organization that supports victims of sex trafficking. Competitors formed creatively named teams such as Nacho Average Bowler, Spare Me, Split Happens, the Ballbarians, and the Greenville Strikers.
"We all had a great time, made even better because we were doing it for a good cause.”
At this spirited group outing, many players wore team T-shirts, with some players donning amusing accessories like mini sombreros and Viking helmets. Teams and individuals were called out for honors including Top Team Donations (Nacho Average Bowler), Top Player Donation (Scott Thomassee), and even the dubious honor of Low Team Score for Who Gives a Split—better luck next time, team! “We all had a great time, made even better because we were doing it for a good cause,” shares Melody Little of team Project Outta Controls.
And the holiday season finds us supporting another good cause: the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Since 1889, the Salvation Army has assisted disadvantaged individuals and families so they too can enjoy a special holiday season. Angel gift bags are given to children 12 years old and younger and to seniors aged 62 and older; all these gift recipients in the Greater Houston area meet the federal minimum poverty guidelines. Gift bag items might include clothing, books, toys, and other items that the recipient “angels” have listed as their needs and wants, so the gifts are not only charitable but also personal.
As we enjoy ourselves with colleagues, friends, and families this season, we’ll also remain mindful of those less fortunate. Following the bowl-a-thon, CEO and top-score contender Terence Easton enthused, “I’m so very proud of the collective volunteerism our organization promotes and practices. And I appreciate everyone’s energy and willingness to raise so much money for charity. From the bowl-a-thon through the Angel Tree and every other charitable outreach, we demonstrate our commitment to building healthy, happy, sustainable communities while collaborating in a compassionate team environment.” Our spirit of giving is part of who we are, as individuals and as a cohesive team, and that will never change. Cheers to us all!
