Stories

DPR Hardin Volunteers Support a Green Cause in Atlanta

Demonstrating that volunteerism is often a win-win proposition, some 18 DPR Hardin Construction employees recently participated in a volunteer effort that not only delivered needed improvements to the nonprofit Lifecycle Building Center (LBC) but also built teamwork and shared purpose among all who came to help out.

The Atlanta area volunteers helped spruce up the appearance and organize the stock of the community-based nonprofit organization during the half-day volunteer event July 25. Since opening three years ago, the Center has been dedicated to increasing the Atlanta community’s sustainability through educational outreach and salvaging materials from renovated or demolished buildings. The Center resells the materials to the public and donates a portion to nonprofits and schools.

DPR Hardin became a sponsor of LBC last year and continues to support the organization in various ways. When the need for aesthetic and functional improvements to the facility became apparent, DPR Hardin volunteer coordinator Andi King-Wieczynski saw a unique opportunity for employees looking for a hands-on, skill-based activity that also provided a valuable community service.

“It was a great turnout,” King-Wieczynski commented. “We helped them pull weeds, planted new flowerbeds and just made it more aesthetically pleasing for people to come into the store. We also helped them reorganize their stock so people can find what they need.”

The work was performed under less than optimal circumstances. Temperatures climbed to 95 degrees-plus with high humidity in the non-air-conditioned environment. Still that didn’t deter a larger-than-expected turnout that included everyone from marketing and regional management to preconstruction, safety, jobsite personnel and others.

“It was a good way of getting people together who don’t typically spend a lot of time with each other to work for a good cause,” King-Wieczynski noted. “I think it was a really good team building activity for us.”

King-Wieczynski expects the hands-on volunteer day to become a biannual event, with plans already in the works for the next one.