Gilbane’s first-ever companywide Community Impact Challenge took place September 16-22. During this week, hundreds of our colleagues mobilized nationwide to give back to the communities we live, work, and build.
In just seven days across Gilbane’s 45+ office locations, our team members contributed over 4,500+ hours helping 150+ nonprofits!
I was lucky enough to travel to five out of the hundreds of events that took place this week and participate in a portion of this impact first-hand:
Wellspring Women’s Center
Sacramento, California
On Monday, September 16, I traveled to Sacramento to volunteer with the Wellspring Women’s Center, whose mission is to provide respite and services based on “hospitality with dignity and love.” Throughout the morning, three other Gilbane team members and I (along with a three-piece mariachi band to help celebrate Mexican Independence Day!) worked on the food assembly line and served breakfast. The day was a success, and we completely cleared out all of the food, including a salad, fruit, two large bags of freshly made chips, two large pans of beans and rice, and a couple dozen meat and vegetarian tamales. Thanks to Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Manager Oswald Castillo being fluent in Spanish, the team communicated much better with the women and children we were serving.
Watch Monday’s Instagram stories here.
Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center
Cleveland, Ohio
On Tuesday, September 17, I landed in Cleveland and headed to Fieldstone Farm. Fieldstone Farm is one of the largest therapeutic equine centers in the country, serving more than 900 students annually and helping people of all ages with a range of emotional, physical, and cognitive challenges reach their goals. The farm harnesses the therapeutic power of horses to discover and nurture the special abilities of individuals, families, and communities.
Throughout the day, the group rebuilt and replaced a swing gate and heavy-duty weed paper at four other swing gates, rebuilt a bridge, and assisted with overall grounds upkeep.
“We cannot thank Gilbane Building Company and Next 150 Construction enough for their help this year on our bridge and arena gates! The patience and support these two companies have for us and our growing project list is heartwarming. We are so blessed to have people like those at Gilbane and Next 150 in our community, and we look forward to continued collaboration!” – Holly Hendershot, Manager of Volunteer Services, Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center.
Watch Tuesday’s Instagram stories here.
Our Daily Bread Ministries
Baltimore, Maryland
Wednesday, September 18, I traveled to Baltimore, where I could contribute to Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODBM), a nondenominational, nonprofit organization that has helped people connect deeper with their faith for over 85 years. Gilbane Baltimore team members and I made casseroles to be donated to Daily Bread’s Casserole Program, an offsite activity distributed to Baltimore residents experiencing homelessness. In total, we donated six casseroles that team members could make at home, then freeze and deliver for use during future service. Gilbane has worked with ODBM for over eight years in the Baltimore area, often volunteering for lunchtime sessions. It was amazing getting to meet staff members and see the passion they have for making a difference.
Watch Wednesday’s Instagram story here.
Crossroads Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Thursday, September 19, was day four of the impact challenge, and I spent my day in Rhode Island, the birthplace of Gilbane Building Company. The Providence team and I worked with Crossroads Rhode Island, a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless and at-risk families secure stable housing. Throughout the day, seven Gilbane employees, including myself, volunteered to clean within the Harold Lewis House, which serves as additional housing for the Crossroads organization. The Harold Lewis House provides permanent supportive housing to 14 formerly homeless adults and veterans. This was Gilbane’s second time volunteering with Crossroads, and I look forward to seeing how we continue to partner with this organization in the future to continue to make a difference.
Watch Thursday’s Instagram stories here.
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers
Atlanta, Georgia
My last stop before heading home on Friday, September 20, was Atlanta, where I helped host a LifeSouth Community Blood Centers event. LifeSouth is a nonprofit community blood bank that serves more than 150 hospitals across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. The 12 other Gilbane volunteers and I helped greet community members who volunteered to give blood, with additional tasks including day-of logistics, event photography, and of course, contributing to the blood donation!
This was the third year in a row that Gilbane has organized a blood drive with LifeSouth Blood Services. Our partnership with the organization began when Gilbane’s Ujima group took steps to address the disparities in deaths related to hemophilia in Black men. With the help of the Atlanta office building manager, Cousins Properties, assisting the Gilbane crew in hosting the blood drive on the property and generously donating marketing, signage, and parking validations for those who donated blood, the day was a success. As a result of the blood donated at this blood drive, 30 lives will be saved!
Watch Friday’s Instagram stories here.
A Lasting Impact
At Gilbane, we are truly committed to building more than buildings, and when we all live by this mindset, we are able to see the collective impact we can make. The organizations we touched ranged from supporting healthcare, food insecurity, environmental preservation, animal welfare, homelessness, and more, and after seeing the reach this community impact had in its inaugural year, it’s inspiring to think about how it will only continue to grow.
