USI employees in their signature blue “USI Gives Back” T-shirts have been spotted all over ADEC this month. The 15-person office selected ADEC as the recipient for their annual service day, which takes place during the month of August.
The Elkhart USI branch is one part of a movement that is 4,000 strong. Last year, in honor of the company’s 20th anniversary, USI Insurance decided to celebrate with a day of service. The corporate office asked branches to go out across their communities and perform approximately three hours of service. As each branch goes out, employees send in pictures for the company website and newsletter.
The event last year was so popular, the company decided to make it an annual affair. To sweeten the deal, each person also receives a paid day off at the end of the month. This year, USI’s Elkhart branch selected ADEC to benefit from its day of service.
“When you consider 4,000 plus employees nationwide, and the amount of hours devoted to this,” Don Anderson, Operating President of USI Insurance Elkhart and ADEC Board Secretary/Treasurer explained. “We get our living from the community, that’s where we get our business. So to give back, it’s important.”
The event kicked off Thursday, August 13, with two employees coming by Bristol Building One to provide support with administrative tasks, such as assembling MSDS notebooks, new staff curriculum and welcome packets for potential donors and sponsors. ADEC’s Human Resources and Mission Advancement team happily listed projects and enjoyed having helping hands for the morning. These ladies worked so intently, they stayed until they had neatly finished their projects!
On Thursday, August 20, ADEC at the Plaza welcomed several USI staff members. The volunteers joined in on the morning activities, spending one-on-one time with clients as they participated in current events, exercised and worked on vocational activities.
“There is a special place in heaven for ADEC employees,” Don said after witnessing the hard work of staff throughout the morning at the Plaza.
The volunteer morning ended as USI employees sat down and ate with clients, everyone chatting happily about the contents of their lunchbox, weekend plans and hobbies.
The third USI volunteer group came later the same afternoon to ADEC Industries. Three hard-working volunteers rolled up their sleeves and tackled the weedy flower bed outside the back door. They dug up tree stumps and cleared the bed so grass may be planted. They also sanded and painted the rusted side door, weeded raised wooden beds and worked on tidying up the parking lot.
Each person who came to work at ADEC came with a smile, eager to learn more about the work ADEC does in the community and ways to help. Watching clients and volunteers laugh together and talk about their lives served as a good reminder of how we are all just people.
This was one of the reasons why Don was so happy to volunteer with ADEC this year. He talked about how important it is for the community to get to know our clients and understand the similarities over the differences. In the end, he said, many may never know the impact of the work on their own lives.
“This year ADEC was at the top of our list,” Don smiled. “I’m ecstatic, so happy we could do this.”
Article by Whitney Craig | Communications Specialist
Photo by Rod Tackett | Communications Specialist
