MER is committed to creating meaningful change in the communities and industries we serve through philanthropic efforts, volunteerism, and community engagement activities. The MER Stewardship Program exists not only to make a difference in the communities in which we work and live, but it strengthens our team, connecting us with our communities and elevating the way we relate to the Company and one another.
We are proud of our corporate Stewardship and Sustainability program. This year prolonged the challenges from 2020 due to the Covid 19 virus. Not only for our employees, clients, and businesses but many non-profits and charities struggled to maintain their vital roles in supporting causes and people in need. Once again, our employees, business units, and management teams stepped up for another active year of serving others. In addition, we were able to strengthen our commitment to environmental sustainability. This program strives to protect the environment, increase our ability to meet our client's standards, and fortify our company as an environmental leader amongst our peers. In 2021 our collective efforts continued to positively impact the communities where we work and live and the industries and clients we serve.
We are committed to our long history of Corporate Philanthropy. We are honored to continue to support these amazing non-profit organizations through annual donations, fundraising, and employee volunteers.
Friendship Home’s mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by providing quality respite care and support services in a safe and caring environment. Friendship Home center in Norwell, MA, provides day and evening programs for individuals with disabilities and those who care and advocate for them. MER supports the fundraising events for Friendship Home and has several employees such as, Michele Able and Terri Levesque who are directly involved with this wonderful community resource.
Pine Castle is a leader in serving adults with intellectual and developmental differences and supporting their families across Northeast Florida. They are committed to assisting anyone with a difference, regardless of its severity, and empowering people to achieve their highest potential. MER is proud to be a sustaining supporter of Pine Castle. Jacksonville-based Business Development Specialist; Leslie Detlefsen serves on the Board of Directors.
Global held its 14th annual golf tournament helping to raise needed funds for the Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation. The Foundation’s core mission is to care for every child regardless of their family’s ability to pay, delivering on the promise of pediatric cancer research, unlocking the mysteries of the childhood brain, and launching a new era for community health and wellness. Thanks to all the golf players, tournament volunteers, and sponsors, Global was able to bring our total amount donated to Seattle Children’s to over $500,000. These donations go directly toward helping this institution provide exceptional care to children and their families.
"I am a longtime fan and supporter of Pine Castle!! Their mission is to empower adults with intellectual and developmental differences through opportunities to learn, work and connect. My company and I have been active and engaged with Pine Castle for the last 12 plus years. I am so thankful for the support that MER has given to both myself and Pine Castle. I plan to continue to serve as a board member and Inspirations Donor."- Leslie Detlefsen, MER Business Development Specialist, Atlantic Beach, FL
MER understands that without our employees, we would not be able to do the accomplish all of our goals and be represented as industry leaders. Our programs are developed to appreciate you!
At many offices across our geographic locations, the 2021 Earth Day Challenge was a huge success. Every day is Earth Day in our business, often in the form of protection and restoration, so we thank the many employees, their families, and friends who stepped up and volunteered.
For September, MER participated in World Clean-up Day, joining together with 50 million volunteers and partners worldwide to rid our planet of trash – cleaning up litter and mismanaged waste from our beaches, rivers, forests, and streets. Our employees picked up trash in their communities by getting together with friends and families to participate in the MER Trash Scavenger Hunt. To make it a family/team activity, MER Stewardship put the initiative into a game format. The game card included litter items such as cigarette butts, plastic water bottles, and single-use face masks. By participating in the trash scavenger hunt, employees contributed to preserving the cleanliness and beauty of their communities.
"My son is a big fan of Earth Day and recycling, so this was an especially big hit for him. As he said, we were like our own recycling truck crew. We were amazed how much we found, especially the number of plastic bottle caps." – Mark Bergman, MER Project Accounting Supervisor, Atlantic Beach, FL
For Veterans Day MER offered a gift to our employees who are military veterans in recognition of their service to our country.
CT/NY Business Manager Mike Barden, the Newtown, CT MER crew, family, friends, and community members removed 1.5 tons of trash from the Pequabuck River. The Newtown, CT MER office has been assisting this organization for many years. The Pequabuck River Watershed Association is dedicated to collaborating and advocating for a healthy Pequabuck River by holding cleanup events, monitoring water quality, and stocking the river with salmon and trout.
“We are so grateful for Moran. You have been with us for a decade. The team brings a wonderful attitude and your participation always make the event a success. Volunteers enjoy working alongside Mike and the crew and that is part of why they come back each year.” Mary Rydingsward, Pequabuck River Watershed Association, Bristol, CT
As a national rail service provider for more than 40 years, Drummac is proud to partner with Operation Lifesaver and is incredibly proud of its employees who actively participate in this program. Operation Lifesaver network of volunteers committed to raising awareness around preventing injuries and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and crossings through rail safety education.
To commemorate the return of Amtrak service to Vermont after a nearly sixteen-month hiatus due to COVID-19, Jeff and Alex gave presentations on rail safety in the community on behalf of Operation Lifesaver. In October, Jeff and Alex taught 50 local 3rd and 4th-grade students from Swanton Elementary about railroad track safety and railroad awareness.
"I had an opportunity to put my new Operation Lifesaver Volunteer status to good use and co-taught a class to a local Boy Scout troop here in Vermont. I was really impressed by all the engaged and interesting questions the kids asked about safety and trains in general. They even asked about my career and what it took to get me to where I am today. When I first agreed to take on this role, I had no idea how rewarding and fun it would be." Alex Jones, Drummac QMP Supervisor, St. Albans, Vermont
Sometimes events occur that inspire us to come together as a company and a community to make an impact. In 2021 there were two weather-related disasters that employees championed on both a local and company-wide level.
Following the unprecedented December tornados in Kentucky, Mainstream offices in Louisville and Murray received inquiries from MER employees around the country on how to help. As a result, MER Corporate made a financial donation to the Kentucky government assistance fund. In addition, through local sources, we identified needed items for the residents impacted by the devastating tornados. Company-wide our employees ordered and shipped these vital supplies to our Kentucky offices for direct delivery to those communities.
In late August, Waverly, TN, experienced catastrophic flooding resulting in severe damage to homes, businesses, and community buildings. Mainstream has a long history of serving clients in this region, so they reached out to their clients to see how we could help support the community. As a result, the Mainstream Commercial Divers team in Murray, KY, was awarded a Community Impact Grant and assisted in setting up a fund to help rebuild and restock the elementary school library in Waverly, TN.
In 2019 we launched the Community Impact Grant program to allow our employees to directly impact important causes and inspire engagement within our work teams. Our Company is filled with people who genuinely care about each other and their communities, and 2021 resulted in some amazing grant programs. Below is a recap of the 2021 Community Impact Grants awarded throughout our organization and business units.
This summer, Creative Services Manager and long-standing Friendship Home volunteer Michele Able participated in the 8th Annual Walk/Run with Friends benefit. All funds raised supported Friendship Home's Social Recreation program. In addition, Michele supplemented her efforts with a Community Impact Grant.
"Working with Friendship Home was a Life Changing Event for me. Not only did I meet some amazing and wonderful people, it opened me up to a whole new world and helped dig down into myself to find compassion and skills I didn’t even know I had. I hated to say Good-bye when I transferred to jacksonville, but know I've built lifelong friendships." – Michele able, MER Manager, Creative Services, Atlantic Beach, FL (formerly of Randolph, MA)
Global Diving & Salvage utilized a Community Impact Grant to support the YMTA (Youth Maritime Training Association). The YMTA is a program that provides information, scholarships, and grant resources to students in the Puget Sound region seeking careers in the maritime industry. Global’s Business Development Account Executive, Frank Immel, is President of the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society, which is involved with the YMTA. Thank you to Frank for his volunteer involvement in these great organizations supporting the maritime industry.
MER offices in Randolph, MA and Newtown, CT have a long-standing holiday tradition of supporting the Toys for Tots organization. Our employees stepped up again for 2021. The goal of Toys for Tots is to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America's less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy.
WRI and MER team members in Jacksonville, FL came together to support Meals on Wheels to deliver presents and meals to homebound senior citizens. Meals on Wheels mission is to improve the health and quality of life of the seniors they serve so that no one is left hungry or isolated. The Community Impact grant assisted with the needed supplies and food.
"Meal on Wheels is something we'd like to continue each quarterly, not necessarily using a grant for care packages, but to give our employees the opportunity and for WRI/MER to have consistent community involvement. It only takes a few hours a day, but I think it would be highly impactful for both the seniors and our employees."- Amanda Kimball, Assistant General Manger, Water RecoverY, Jacksonville, FL
The MER Atlantic Beach, FL office stepped up for the holidays by "adopting" a local family with four children ages 2-13 and shopped for their holiday wish list items utilizing a MER Community Impact Grant. In addition, the employees purchased dozens of toys, collected, and donated them to BEAM. BEAM is a community-based organization serving low-income residents in Jacksonville’s beaches communities. Pictured is Ryan Harris, MER Business Manager, and Lauren Young, MER Project Manager, Atlantic Beach, FL.
"Thanks so much for your support of the St. Vincent de Paul/BEAM Christmas gift giveaway! We greatly appreciate your help in adopting a family of four and also holding a general toy drive at your office."- Susan Little, Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) Volunteer and Training Coordinator, Jacksonville, FL
John Silva, VP of ER & P out of Randolph, MA utilized the Community Impact Grant to support the Pottstown Children's Foundation Winter Wonderland event. This sponsorship is in partnership with Rick Lewis from The Lewis Group. The Pottstown Area Children’s Foundation (PAC) is a 501c3 non-profit (EIN 84-2426236) and is in its 39th year of serving families in need. PAC is 100% volunteer-driven and all proceeds go toward the expenses of this event.
"I want to express my sincere appreciation for your support and generosity for the Pottstown Area Children’s Foundation. The event was amazing and I am proud to say the Foundation helped almost 600 children with Christmas gifts, food and holiday cheer." Rick Lewis, The Lewis Group, Royersford, PA
"My family donates every year to Mary’s Place here in Seattle with my daughters and the toys they no longer use. It’s a battered women’s shelter for women with kids who are trying to get past bad situations. Thanks again for making this happen."- Spencer Smith, PNW Business Manager, Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. Seattle, WA
Mainstream in Murray, KY created and distributed gifts to partner with Calloway Moses Baskets. Funds used from our Community Impact Grant allowed foster children to have presents to open on Christmas.
Global employees in Alaska utilized a Community Impact Grant to support a local all-volunteer underwater search and rescue organization, the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team. The rescue team is activated by the State Search and Rescue Coordinator and is ready to deploy for recovery missions anywhere in Alaska, usually within two hours of notification. Additionally, these funds will assist with end-of-year boat maintenance.
"I wanted to pass along my heartfelt gratitude for you all and your teams for putting together such a wonderful opportunity for us to support our industry and community. It’s not a position we take lightly, to be able to support our families and loved ones with our jobs….but to know our employer cares as much as they do to create a program and allow the regions/groups to do a little more for our state is a wonderful feeling."- Kendra Bulawa, Alaska Business Manager, Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. Anchorage, AK
Coastal Ocean and Resource employees in British Columbia supported the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea with a Community Impact Grant to protect local waters and sea life. Business Manager/Senior Biologist Sarah Cook has served on the Board of Directors for the Centre in Victoria, BC. Many MCORI employees and families have visited, volunteered, and enjoyed the Centre for years. The Centre is a vibrant part of the local community.
In response to the deadly tornados in KY, the Mainstream Murray office participated in a toy drive organized by Murray State University and YMCA to bring joy to children for the holiday season. Community Impact Grant funds were used to purchase gifts for children affected by the tornados. Murray employee volunteers, Abby Eason and Charlie Morgan bought and delivered the toys.
Mainstream and MER in South Carolina partnered together to help Happy Wheels. This organization provides toys to patients at MUSC’s Children’s Hospital in Charleston, SC. Utilizing the Community Impact Grant, the employees purchased, wrapped, and delivered toys, games, and books for the children.
Passenger trains operate 365 days a year, and so do our Drummac employees. In recognition of their dedication, the company partners with Baking Memories 4 Kids to deliver buckets of homemade cookies to crews across the U.S. Baking Memories 4 Kids is a non-profit (501 (c)(3) foundation and all profits from the sale of the cookies are dedicated to providing children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses and their families an all-expense-paid vacation to ALL the theme parks in Orlando, Florida.
"The Roanoke team is always excited to receive our delicious cookies every Christmas, usually the crew reminds me to start looking for them in advance. We were even more excited to hear recently that the cookies brought happiness in another way by giving children the opportunity to go to Orlando and spend time at Disney which would not have been possible without these donations.”- Rick Johnson, Drummac Mechanical Supervisor, Roanoke, VA and Lynchburg, VA
The annual Chris McLarney Memorial Award recognizes a Drummac employee that embodies the work ethic and enthusiasm of the late Portland, OR Mechanical Supervisor. The 2021 winner was Lewis Green, Assistant Supervisor for the Amtrak Auto Train contract in Sanford, FL. As part of the award legacy, a donation is made to the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association, Inc. Chris McLarney founded the organization. The PRPA is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to restoring, maintaining, and operating historic railway equipment of the Pacific Northwest.