The crew who donated their time to improve Benton Center!
This account was written by Erik Shelton, the Director of Operations at OPW Fueling, who was instrumental in setting up the day:
Dover Fluid Management’s annual Manufacturing & Engineering Best Practices Conference was held March 22nd-25th in Cincinnati, Ohio. 110 colleagues from all ten DFM Fluid Solutions platform operating companies were in attendance. With attendees from 12 states and 10 countries, this was truly a global conference, and with so many new faces the conference theme, “Get Connected” was very appropriate. The conference was co-hosted by three Cincinnati-based DFM companies: OPW Fueling Components, OPW Fluid Transfer Group and Hydro Systems Company.
In the spirit of Getting Connected the conference’s steering team chose to spend a half-day completing a Community Care Day event. The decision for us to choose a partner for this project was easy, the United Way! The United Way’s theme of LIVE UNITED was a perfect complement to our conference theme & global-presence as a company, and of the spirit of connecting not only with one another as colleagues, but also with the community. Through our partnership with the United Way of Greater Cincinnati we were hopeful to select an Agency Partner that could accommodate our large group. That organization was the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati’s Benton Center in Batavia, Ohio. At the Benton Center the volunteers completed 25 different projects in 5 hours. Some of those projects included pouring a sidewalk, raking, mulching, building a bridge, clearing hiking trails, installing hand-rails & steps on the trail, widening a door and installing an automatic door opener for handicap accessibility, installing a flag-pole, planting 250 Christmas tree seedlings, etc.
The DFM team did an AMAZING job to rise to the occasion, have fun, “Get Connected” and to complete all of the planned projects. Following the event OPW Fueling Components, OPW Fluid Transfer Group & Hydro Systems Company hosted a catered Montgomery Inn dinner at the Marriott RiverCenter in Covington, KY. At the dinner, Rob Reifsnyder, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati spoke on behalf of the United Way. Rob’s message was true to the spirit of the United Way; working every day to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a better life – Education, Income and Health. Making sure individuals in our region live healthy, quality lives and achieve maximum independence is a great example of what it means to LIVE UNITED! Additionally, Kathy Stewart, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati spoke of the Epilepsy Foundation’s mission and thanked the participants for their time and efforts.
This Community Care Day event would not have been possible without the time & financial support of many individuals & companies; THANK YOU!!: David Crouse, President, OPW Fueling Components; Tim Warning, President, OPW Fluid Transfer Group; Jeff Rowe, President, Hydro Systems Company; Rob Reifsnyder, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Cincinnati; Michelle Rummel, Sr. Associate, United Way of Greater Cincinnati; Mark Findley, Assistant Director, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati; Kathy Stewart, Executive Director, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati; Larry Roberts, President, Roberts Construction; Doug Evans, President & Owner, Evans Landscaping; Bob Shelton, Contractor & Volunteer; Dale Dean, President & CEO, Dean Houston
About the EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CINCINNATI:
Established in 1953, the Epilepsy Foundation is dedicated to serving individuals with epilepsy and their families. This is accomplished through a variety of unique and innovative programs including: community education, counseling, school and job support, professional seminars, a camping program, day program and group homes. Throughout all of these programs, the 55 staff of the Foundation seeks to help the person overcome the challenges associated with frequent seizures and empower them to reach their fullest potential. The volunteers of Dover Fluid Management shared their time and talents at the Foundation’s Benton Center. This 48 acre property is home to the agencies day program, group home and camp. The day program serves 33 adults who have epilepsy and developmental delays. Here the clients take part in various work and leisure activities that teach and foster independence. Eight adults live in the group home and have spent anywhere from 5 to 25 years in the home. The camp reaches out to youth age 8 and up and gives them the chance to meet others who have a similar diagnosis, while also taking part in outdoor activities that build self esteem and confidence. We are very appreciative of Dover’s efforts to enhance this property and make it more user friendly for the clients we serve. Together we are making a difference! For more information about the Foundation, go to: www.cincinnatiepilepsy.org.
About the UNITED WAY:
United Way is a worldwide network in 45 countries and territories, including nearly 1,300 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. The United Way movement creates long lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that prevent progress in these areas. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about the United Way, go to: www.unitedway.org or www.uwgc.org.