ENTEK employees sort Thanksgiving food items into meal kits.
Donations are Holiday Beacon for Those in Need
Lead battery manufacturers, recyclers and suppliers are deeply rooted in their communities. They “give back” throughout the year, but their support for others shines brightest during the holiday season. This year, we spotlight the contributions of three companies, starting on the West coast and heading to the Midwest.
ENTEK: Food Boxes for Families and Coats for Kids
ENTEK’s belief in community service stems from its philosophy of being ‘the best neighbor to the community.’ It’s a belief that goes back to the company’s beginnings. The Lebanon, Oregon-based global supplier of battery separators encourages employee in community service activities by offering them an annual allotment of paid leave. The holiday season provides a great opportunity to help with two of the company’s biggest giving events.
The first of these is ENTEK’s Thanksgiving food box program. ENTEK partners with local schools to identify families in need and provides complete Thanksgiving meals to hundreds of local families. Employees come together to process pallets of turkeys, hams and all of the traditional side dishes, pack food boxes and greet families. In addition to helping the community, it’s a great team-building exercise that gives employees a chance to do good with co-workers.
ENTEK’s flagship giving program is its annual Coats for Kids drive. Each year, an employee-led committee raises funds to purchase new coats for school kids across several school districts and local organizations. The program has spawned its own non-profit, called the ENTEK Employee Community Fund, which gives over 1,000 coats annually to children who might otherwise go without a warm jacket. This year they were able to supply 1,350 coats to local schools and organizations.
Marketing Manager Carri Moffatt says, “ENTEK’s Coats for Kids makes an immediate impact with families in the area. Some [of these kids] have never had a new article of clothing ever, or they have to share a coat with a sibling. They are so excited when they get their coats that they want to wear them all day in the classroom. It’s truly heartwarming.”
STRYTEN ENERGY: Supporting Local Families and Deployed Military
For Stryten Energy, the holidays are a time to look outward and give back to local community members, especially those who need some holiday cheer. The company is a U.S.-based provider of stored energy solutions, and its employees support many organizations through donations and service.
With operations in several states, the company’s goodwill activities range from supporting the military to working with the Salvation Army. Stryten’s Manchester, Iowa, employees donated non-perishable items and shipped the care packages to U.S. military personnel who are away from their families this holiday season.
In Salina, Kansas, Stryten employees participated in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, providing new clothing and toys for children of 15 local families in need. Employees select an angel and purchase the requested items, such as clothing, shoes and toys.
THE DOE RUN COMPANY: Helping Neighbors in Need
The Doe Run Company understands the need for holiday support. The metals and mining company has been a presence in Missouri for more than 150 years, operating in the rural, southeastern area of the state. As in past years, employees donated more than 100 winter outerwear items for a coat, hat and mitten drive, in conjunction with an area organization. Employees also conducted food drives for area agencies and food pantries, adopted families through local charitable organizations, provided gifts to an area children’s home, and made financial donations to the United Way.
The Lead Battery Industry: A Legacy of Helping Communities
Lead battery manufacturers, recyclers and suppliers have a long legacy of supporting their communities. But the generosity goes beyond the companies themselves. We’re very proud of our hard-working employees who donate their personal time and resources to help others. Thank you!
