Charity During the Holidays

As Thanksgiving approaches, we at Gilbane are reminded of how much we have to be thankful for, especially our Gilbane family, our partners, and the communities we have the opportunity to serve. Our core value of Caring is reflected by hundreds of charitable efforts supported by our company, our project teams, and individual employees. Recently, I had the chance to join the Covenant House Houston Executive Sleepout where I spent the night on the street in an effort to raise awareness and funds to support homeless youth. Despite the rain, my Gilbane colleague Kyle Holland and I joined more than 100 volunteers from the Houston community, including many representatives from the real estate and construction industries; as well as Bill McKeon, CEO of Texas Medical Center, who was the Honorary Chair for the evening. Covenant House is the largest privately funded agency in the Americas providing shelter, food, immediate crisis care, and an array of other services to homeless and runaway youth. In addition to basic needs, Covenant House provides services designed to transition these youth into independent adulthood, free from the risk of future homelessness.

After a long night and hardly any sleep, I woke up invigorated and thankful, not only for the opportunity to spread awareness and help raise money for this remarkable agency, but also for the caring, giving spirit of our amazing employees who continue to take the time to give back to their local communities.

Back to School Drives

width= — Chicago team (top) and Phoenix team donated school supplies

Many of our Gilbane offices take part in Back to School Drives for local, underprivileged elementary schools. Here, the Chicago team collected over 65 book bags packed with school supplies, boxes of paper, paper towels, hand sanitizers, toothpaste, deodorant and so much more.

Our Phoenix team donated hundreds of school supplies to a local disadvantaged school, including printer paper, markers, crayons, pencils, binders, gluesticks, notebooks and general classroom supplies.

Local Golf Tournaments
With over 15 golf tournaments held around the country, Gilbane continues its promise to partner with local charities and give back to the communities in which we work, live and play.

Taking a Bite Out of Hunger in Chicago

Our Chicago team participated in Canstruction this year, a worldwide charity that hosts competitions and events showcasing massive structures made entirely out of canned goods! Once the final judging is complete, all canned goods are donated to the Food Depository’s network of soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters throughout the Chicago area.

Employee Resource Groups in action
In 2019, Gilbane created internal Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that help support and engage various affinity groups including Women, Black/African Americans, LGBTQIA, Veterans, Young Professionals and Hispanic/Latino employees across the company. Throughout the year, various chapters coordinated volunteer outreach events with their groups. Here are the Atlanta ERG Ujima group volunteers at a local Women’s Community Kitchen which serves healthy meals to women and children suffering from low incomes and homelessness.

Gilbane and the United Way
Gilbane and the United Way have been partners for more than 60 years. Today, Gilbane employees across the country and around the world are participating in the annual campaign and are on track to match last year’s contribution of $500,000.

As many of us prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with your family and friends, let’s be sure to keep those who are less fortunate in our thoughts. If you have an opportunity to help someone less fortunate, I encourage you to do so. Thank you to the Gilbane employees who open your hearts and give your time and energy to these charitable efforts.

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About Authors

Dan Gilbane

Dan Gilbane is a senior vice president and leads Gilbane’s companywide strategic initiatives as part of the firm’s global growth strategy and vision. In this role, Dan provides single-point executive responsibility for several growing entities including GRS, a disaster reconstruction services firm comprised of three companies; G.O. Construction Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary that provides jobsite safety, general labor, carpentry and final cleaning services; Gilbane’s National Clients team; and the firm’s Centers of Excellence focused on adding value for clients throughout the project lifecycle in multiple markets. In addition to these client-driven focus areas, Dan has direct involvement with Gilbane’s acquisition strategy. An active member of the Houston community, Dan serves on the boards of the YES Prep Public Schools, the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Methodist’s President’s Leadership Council and the Associated General Contractors. He is active in the real estate community and is a member of the Urban Land Institute. He is serving as the 2019 Campaign Chair for the United Way of Greater Houston and is the executive sponsor for Gilbane’s Hispanic employee resource group, HOL@.

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