The First Facility Management Blog

United Way Youth Venture, a youth leadership program that got its start in North Central Massachusetts, will now reach students in Maryland due to a $30,000 grant the United Way of Central Maryland received toward the end of 2009 from SimplexGrinnell. The initiative had taken shape over several months as SimplexGrinnell, Tyco International, and the United Way of North Central Massachusetts joined forces to expand United Way Youth Venture, which empowers students to design and launch lasting social ventures that have a positive impact in the community.

“SimplexGrinnell and Tyco are proud to support this collaborative effort to expand United Way Youth Venture,” said Dave Baer, vice president of marketing at SimplexGrinnell, a Tyco International company.  “We strongly believe in Youth Venture’s power to change the world, strengthen our communities and create the next generation of leaders.”

Mark S. Furst, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland, said: “We are enthusiastic to be part of the Youth Venture network. This program will allow young people in the region to be part of change firsthand and to see what can happen when they achieve their full potential.”

Under the joint initiative, United Ways throughout the country were asked to submit proposals on how they would implement the school-based program. The United Way of North Central Massachusetts, which founded United Way Youth Venture and nurtured its growth into four other cities nationwide, helped manage the process.

The top 10 applicants were invited to a half-day training session in Leominster, MA, underwritten by SimplexGrinnell, to learn how to implement the program in their community. Following the training session, United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) was announced as the recipient of the $30,000 grant from Tyco to assist in implementing United Way Youth Venture. The local SimplexGrinnell district in Baltimore, one of 150 company-owned offices in North America, is engaged in the Youth Venture effort with UWCM as well.

“The expansion of United Way Youth Venture to other locations where we do business aligns with SimplexGrinnell’s commitment to be a vital part of the communities we serve,” said Bob Chauvin, vice president of Northern Operations for SimplexGrinnell and a board member of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts.  “This powerful program is cultivating a new generation of leaders and improving our communities in very meaningful ways.”

As 2009 came to a close last week, employees of Indiana Furniture, based in Jasper, IN, concluded their year-long Wellness Program with the collection of nearly 1,000 pieces of non-perishable food items for the Dubois County Food Bank.

Said Nancy Wilson, vice president of human resources and safety at the company, “Employees receive points for various wellness related events throughout the year; one of those events consisted of bringing in a healthy dish/recipe to share with other employees. In lieu of the share the healthy recipe event, we felt the food used in employee recipes would better serve those less fortunate in our communities.”

Employees of Indiana Furniture’s five manufacturing plants and office donated items to be consolidated and passed on to the Food Bank.

“Indiana Furniture strives to put their employees first and our year long wellness program is an example. It provides guidance and a little support to help stay on track with a healthier lifestyle,” commented Rich Slayton, president and CEO. “Making better choices is easier with a support system and some incentive. The program encourages better eating habits, exercise and preventive health screenings. The food collection rather than the healthy recipe sharing event was simply a case of realizing our employees are willing to share with their coworkers so why not share with others in the community that could use the help.”

On November 19, The Chicago Theatre was highlighted by a group from VOA Associates Inc. that recreated that iconic building for the annual “Gingerbuild” competition held at the Allsteel/Gunlocke Chicago Resource Center. Using traditional gingerbread ingredients, VOA earned the honor of most delectable design in the pre-build category.

Recreation of The Chicago Theatre

Meanwhile, the team from Whitney Design created a humorous parody of the TV reality show “Project Runway,” that earned runner-up in the speed-build category.

This year’s event attended by more than 100 Chicago area architects and designers, raised funds for Designs 4 Dignity, a charity organization that supports the transformation of existing non-profit spaces into creative, comfortable working environments through pro-bono design services and in-kind donations.

When Boston-based designer Justine Sterling, of Justine Sterling Design, was nearing the completion of a recent expansion project for her client, the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), she realized the non-profit was hitting its budget limit on the new warehouse and distribution facility with little remaining to adequately furnish the modest space allocated for the organization’s management office.

In looking for a solution, Sterling turned to colleague, Amy Hill, an Allsteel Architecture & Design Specialist, who saw this as an opportunity to repurpose Allsteel furnishings that had been used for local trade show displays.

Now complete, the Food Bank, which distributes approximately 30 million pounds of food annually has its reception, office, and conference room areas furnished with Allsteel chairs and tables.

“Building a new facility was a daunting task, and most of our financial 
resources were used for the warehouse, equipment, and racking,” said Kathleen Marre, chief administrative officer for GBFB. “Our office furniture budget was very minimal. Without the donation from Allsteel, much of our space would have gone empty. Our employees work very hard, and providing them with such beautiful furniture really improves our working environment.”

Allsteel and its Boston-based team were pleased to know the donation had such an impact. “The Greater Boston Food Bank provides such an important service to the community,” said Hill. “So, we’re proud to know we’re helping them in their work and, at the same time doing our part toward an Allsteel initiative to reuse and repurpose our furniture.”

Read TFM’s June 2009 coverage of furniture reuse and recycling, “Avoiding The Landfill”.

In 2001, Tom Szaky, then a freshman at Princeton University, founded TerraCycle in hopes of building an eco-capitalist company built on waste. The company’s first product was an organic fertilizer (Worm Poop), made from composted ingredients and packaged in a reused one-gallon milk jug. The lawn and garden care line has expanded, and, several years ago, Szaky set his sights on expanding the reuse concept to grow his business.

Today, the company is working with an increasing number of manufacturers (a majority food companies) to collect defective or surplus product packaging from their plants; these are then transformed into items such tote bags and pencil cases. Retailers such as Home Depot, Office Max, and Walgreens are selling the products in their stores. Companies that TerraCycle has formed partnerships with include drink maker Capri-Sun, Kraft Foods, granola company Bear Naked, and yogurt maker Stonyfield Farm.

A messenger bag made from Oreo wrappers

Consumers can also get into the act by signing up to be part of one of the TerraCycle “Brigades”. Participants make money for the charity of their choice by collecting packaging from products that are part of the TerraCycle program and sending the items to the company’s warehouses in Trenton, NJ. Each package sent in earns two cents for the Brigade’s chosen charity. In 2008, according to TerraCycle, about 4,000 schools, churches, and other groups from 46 states sent in more than 300,000 Capri Sun drink pouches. (That’s $6,000 donated to charities and a lot of waste diverted from landfills.)

The most recent manufacturer to partner with TerraCycle is Frito-Lay North America, a division of PepsiCo, in May 2009. Frito-Lay is asking consumers to form Chip Bag Brigades; for every bag a Brigade collects and sends to TerraCycle, Frito-Lay will donate two cents to their charity of choice. Initially, there will be 1,000 collection sites and more are expected to be added during the year. The goal of the program is to engage at least 150,000 people and divert more than five million bags from landfills.

Faciities with vending machines that house Frito-Lay products, as well as with occupants who bring these snacks from home, can learn more about the Brigades at www.fritolay.com/terracycle. The packaging from all the company’s brands, such as Lay’s potato chips, Doritos and Tostitos tortilla chips, and Cheetos cheese flavored snacks, will be used in the effort.

Meanwhile, information about all the TerraCycle Brigades can be found at www.terracycle.net.

Zeftron nylon, a premium nylon 6 commercial carpet yarn system, is sponsoring its first annual Zeftron nylon Sustainable Practices Award this coming Earth Day, April 22, 2009. The award will recognize facility professionals who employ innovative sustainable practices in three key areas: at work, at home, and in their communities.

Submissions will be accepted April 22 through September 30, 2009.

“Zeftron nylon has been producing environmentally responsible yarn systems for more than 30 years and now it’s our turn to acknowledge people who are making a difference,” said Tim Blount, Zeftron nylon’s business leader. “We believe that in order to create a truly sustainable future, everyone must practice environmentally responsible activities—not just at their work or in the product they make—but in every aspect of their life. That’s why this award recognizes facility professionals who are taking innovative strides to create more sustainable environments at home, at work and in their community.”

Submissions will be judged on originality and innovation, and the best entries will be compiled for Zeftron nylon’s “Best Practices and Green Tips”, which will be made public at the end of the year and is designed to be a resource for other professionals.

How to Enter: Entry forms are available at http://spa.zeftronnylon.com and may be submitted online. Entries will be accepted from April 22, 2009 to September 30, 2009. There is no cost to enter.

Eligibility: The award is open to all facility professionals in the continental United States. Additionally, architecture and interior design professionals are also encouraged to submit their entries.

Recognition: The winner will be announced in November during Greenbuild 2009. They will receive recognition for their accomplishments and a $2,000 grand prize donation in their name to an environmentally focused charity. The winner will also be highlighted in news announcements and be featured prominently on the Zeftron nylon Sustainable Practices Award website.

TFM spoke with Zeftron’s Tim Blount to discover some more details about this new award:

Q. It’s interesting that this award seeks to recognize the sustainable practices of facility professionals in three spheres—at work, at home, and in their community. Can you elaborate on why Zeftron decided to expand the focus beyond the workplace?

A. We want to acknowledge people who are making a sustainable difference. There are a lot of facility professionals who implement environmentally responsible approaches on a day to day basis. Rising interest in LEED and other accreditation programs certainly show us that. So, facility professionals have a unique understanding of how to apply energy, water, and other important resource saving strategies in their daily work. And as a result of this, it’s likely that many of these professionals are employing similar techniques in their own home or in their community.

We believe that in order to create a truly sustainable future, everyone must practice environmentally responsible activities—not just at their work or in the products they make—but in every aspect of their life. That’s why this award recognizes facility professionals who are taking innovative strides to create more sustainable environments at home, at work and in their community.

Q. What type of materials and information are entrants asked to supply?

A. We know that facility professionals are incredibly busy people. That’s why we’ve made the entry process as quick and easy as possible. Plus, there is no cost or fee to enter.

All entrants will need to complete the online entry form at http://spa.zeftronnylon.com beginning on April 22, 2009. We’re asking all entrants to provide their tips (no more than 150 words) on how they are being environmentally responsible at their work, home, and in their community. Submissions will be judged on originality and innovation. Entrants also have the ability to submit electronic images as well, if they’d like.

Q. What prompted Zeftron to include a charitable contribution as part of the award?

A. We want this award to be as meaningful as possible. Although it’s important to recognize what people are doing to be more “green,” recognition only goes so far in creating a sustainable planet. That’s why we’ll be making this $2,000 donation to an environmentally focused charity of their choosing. Whether the donation goes towards purifying water sources, protecting endangered species, or saving the rainforest, we’re sure the winner will be pleased to be able to help a cause that is making a real difference.

Q. Zeftron plans to include the best entries in its “Best Practices and Green Tips” at the end of 2009. Can you tell us more about this resource and what it offers to facility professionals?

A. Again, we want to do more than just recognize facility professionals for their sustainable practices and green achievements; we want to create something meaningful and tangible. In the true spirit of the term “reuse,” we plan to take the best submissions and turn them into a “Best Practices and Green Tips” publication so other facility managers can see what their peers are doing.

We are hoping that this document will serve as a resource to facility managers who are trying to lead a holistically sustainable lifestyle at their work, home, and in their community. We expect the publication will be full of unique ideas to help people live more fully sustainable lives.

This past December, Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), an international association of insurance and financial services professionals from around the world, presented a $3,000 donation to The Children’s Bureau of New Orleans on behalf of the staff of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The donation was a result of the convention center staff’s commitment to providing excellent service during MDRT’s 2005 Annual Meeting at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

More than 9,000 MDRT members from 63 countries attended that 2005 meeting, and MDRT wanted to show its appreciation by offering a gratuity to the convention center staff for their hard work and hospitality. Convention center staff declined the gratuity and asked that a donation be made to a local charity. So, in cooperation with the convention center staff, the Children’s Bureau of New Orleans was selected to receive a monetary gift on behalf of the convention center from MDRT.

The donation was made in mid-December.

The convention center’s staff and MDRT chose the Children’s Bureau of New Orleans because of their long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life for New Orleans children and their families. Founded in 1892 by the Reverend Alfred E. Clay, the agency is a private, non-profit United Way partner offering a variety of services to children and families.

“This donation demonstrates not only the convention center’s commitment to its clients, but also to the community of New Orleans,” said 25-year MDRT member and MDRT second vice president Julian H. Good Jr., CLU, ChFC, of New Orleans. “It took some time to finalize the plans for this donation as Hurricane Katrina hit shortly after our meeting and everyone was in need, so I am glad to see this donation finally come to fruition.”

In January 2008, TFM covered the effect of Hurricane Katrina on the convention center in “Swift Recovery”.

MDRT has hosted four Annual Meetings in New Orleans, and also built a playground in 2005 at Trinity Christian Community Center in Hollygrove as a way to give thanks to the city for hosting them for their Annual Meeting. The MDRT plans to return their Annual Meeting to New Orleans in June, 2015.

Shown in photo (l to r): Keith Levey, director of sales, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center; Bob Johnson, president/general manager, convention center; Paulette Carter, MPH, LCSW, president/CEO, Children’s Bureau of New Orleans; Julian H. Good Jr., CLU, ChFC, MDRT second vice president and 25-year MDRT member from New Orleans; Yvette Genova, event coordinator, Convention Center; Michelle Minyard, sales manager, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau.

This year, Firestone Building Products Company, LLC collaborated with a number of its licensed roofing contractors to assist their local communities through the Firestone Community Service Program. Qualified Firestone contractors are awarded with material credit for Firestone roofing products installed as part of a donated labor community service project. Those eligible for participation in the community service program are recipients of Firestone’s esteemed Inner Circle of Quality Award or Partner in Quality Award—distinctions recognizing exceptional roofing professionals for their commitment to quality installation and outstanding roof performance.

This past year, the following roofing firms took part in this program:

• Greenberg Roofing of Fargo, ND donated labor and time to re-roof the 640 square foot roof on the Fargo Salvation Army building. The crew installed 60-mil fully adhered Firestone RubberGardTM EPDM. Fargo Salvation Army provides counseling, housing, clothing, meals, emergency disaster relief, and spiritual ministry to local residents.
• Herzog Roofing in Detroit Lakes, MN re-installed Firestone ISO 95+TM polyiso insulation and ballasted 45-mil Firestone RubberGardTM EPDM on the 41 square foot roof of the REACH volunteer center. The REACH center provides family support, nonperishable food from their food pantry, reusable items, and counseling services to local residents in Hawley, MN. 
• Houck Services, Inc. of Harrisburg, PA re-roofed a home of the winning family in WHTM Channel 27’s Midstate Home Makeover Contest. The crew installed 1,500 square feet of Firestone ISO 95+ TM polyiso insulation and 60-mil RubberGardTM EPDM. The home makeover contest awarded the grand prize to the Litschi family of Myerstown, PA. The Litschi’s have 12 adopted children, many of whom are mentally or physically disabled.   
• Nordmann Roofing Co. from Toledo, OH donated a portion of a new roof to Rossford High School in Rossford, OH for the school’s press box. The 1,000 square foot project replaced the old leaky roof with 1” Firestone ISO 95+TM polyiso insulation and 60-mil fully adhered Firestone RubberGardTM EPDM. 
• Plescia Roofing, Inc. in Norwood, NJ installed a 160,000 square foot roof on the Holy Family Catholic Academy in Norwood, NJ. The crew replaced a 20 year old leaky roof with 60-mil fully adhered Firestone UltraPlyTM TPO roofing system. This project is one of several service projects the firm has donated to Holy Family. 
• Richard L. Sensenig Company of Lancaster, PA donated labor and materials to install a new roof on the Twin Valley Bible Chapel in Narvon, PA. The crew installed 800 square feet of Firestone Tapered ISO 95+TM polyiso insulation fully adhered RubberGardTM EPDM.  
• S.G.O. Roofing and Construction, LLC of Lakeville, MN installed a roof on the new American Cancer Society Twin City Hope Lodge in Minneapolis, MN. A crew of 15 put in the 9,100 square foot Firestone 60-mil ballasted RubberGardTM EPDM roofing system with 1” ISO 95+TM polyiso insulation and DensDeckTM insulation. Hope Lodge provides free housing to out of town cancer patients and their families while patients are undergoing treatment.  

“Firestone is pleased to partner with a growing list of contractors who are enthusiastic about giving back to their local communities,” said Mike Gorey, president of Firestone and chairman, CEO, and president of Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products. “This unique and worth while program has led to more than 60 local community service projects since its inception nearly 10 years ago, and we applaud the contractors who are dedicated to aiding public, private, and non-profit organizations in need.”
 
The Firestone Inner Circle of Quality Award recognizes a group of contractors who demonstrate a strong commitment to long term quality roof performance. Award recipients must achieve Master Contractor status, install at least four warranted roofs in each of the past five years, maintain at least two million square feet under warranty, and achieve an annual QIR of 2.0 or less.

The Partner in Quality Award acknowledges Firestone licensed contractors who maintain at least one million square feet under warranty and demonstrate the same qualities as the Inner Circle winners.  

In 2001, ASSA ABLOY decided to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build houses for families in need and help address homelessness around the world. In November, the company, a provider of door hardware and security solutions, noted a major milestone for that organization. On November 13 and 14, construction began on Habitat’s 300,000th and 300,001st house, in Naples, FL and Zacapa, Guatemala, respectively.

ASSA ABLOY employees throughout North and South America have helped build Habitat homes.

ASSA ABLOY began its relationship as a sponsor of Habitat for Humanity seven years ago providing interior and exterior locksets for all Habitat homes built in the United States. To date the company has donated approximately 375,000 locks.

This milestone represents a decade of major growth for Habitat for Humanity, which was founded in 1976. In 2000, Habitat’s 100,000th house was built in New York City and 100,001st house in Plains, GA. Five years later, Habitat dedicated its 200,000th home in Knoxville, TN; and 200,001st house in Kanyakumari, India.

The company donated sheets of its Corian® material to help create a high-tech gathering place for hospitalized children and teens. The “Lion’s Den,” as the colorful spot is called, is located at Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL—the only full-service tertiary hospital for children in Northeast Florida.

The Lion's Den at Wolfson Children's Hospital

Through a partnership with Hockey Hall-of-Famer Pat LaFontaine’s Companions in Courage Foundation, DuPont donated sheets of DuPont™ Corian® for the project. The hospital’s Lion’s Den is custom designed to offer an oasis to help ease a child’s stay. To help achieve the room’s cheerful look, each of the brightly colored panels, chairs, and tables are made entirely from DuPont™ Corian® solid surfaces. 

“We’re dedicated to helping the community in a meaningful way,” said Thomas F. Schuler, vice president and general manager, DuPont Building Innovations. “With Corian®, we not only add a splash of color to the children’s environment, but due to its easy to clean, seamless surface, it also helps hospital staff with infection control, ultimately bettering the care these kids receive.” 

The space offers high-tech diversions for young patients.

The Lion’s Den in the Wolfson Children’s Hospital is one of six nationwide. Outfitted with flat screen TVs, Microsoft® Xbox 360 video games, video teleconferencing, and Internet-ready computers, the rooms provide outlets for children to connect and play with children at other Lion’s Dens, and to chat with loved ones, teachers, and friends across the country.  In addition, kids have the chance to meet national celebrities and sports heroes via videoconferencing arranged by the Companions in Courage Foundation.

“These one-of-a-kind rooms are intended to stimulate hospitalized children and connect them with family, friends and celebrities,” LaFontaine said.  “By introducing technology into the healing process and using innovative materials like Corian®, we are able to provide these children with a colorful place where they can behave and play like normal, healthy kids.”

Corian® meets all 18 preferred characteristics of the ideal surfacing product to help facilitate infection control as defined in the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, including being seamless, impact resistant, and having low VOC/no off-gassing.

The Companions in Courage Foundation was founded by NHL Hall-of-Famer Pat LaFontaine as a response to the inspiration he derived while visiting children in hospitals during his 15-year career.  His immediate goal is to build interactive playrooms in children’s hospitals throughout North America.  Through communications tools, these playrooms are meant to mitigate the isolation of a hospital by providing ways to connect to family, friends and celebrities during a child’s hospital stay.   

The DuPont Oval, DuPontTM, The miracles of scienceTM, and Corian® and Zodiaq® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates. Only DuPont makes Corian® and Zodiaq®.  Microsoft™ Xbox 360 is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.