Flatiron Supports Local Communities

Serving the community is a key part of Flatiron’s culture. One of the ways we serve is through our partnership with Bridges to Prosperity, one of the best employee volunteer programs around. But employees are also giving back in great ways company-wide.

Chilliwack, B.C.

Flatiron employees at the Interior to Lower Mainland project have made groundbreaking efforts in the spirit of community. To build relationships with the First Nations Communities, the project team has hosted four job information sessions in the area. Working closely with all 67 First Nations Communities along the transmission line, the team has also identified career opportunities for First Nations Communities members and secured partnerships with 13 First Nations or First Nations Affiliated subcontractors to work on the project.

Firestone, Colo.

In June, the Firestone office held a blood drive for the Bonfils Blood Center. Twenty-two employees gave just a few moments of their time and a fraction of their blood to save and enhance the lives of up to three strangers. Because this inaugural drive was so successful, the office is looking at holding an annual drive.

Sherri Hogue, payroll coordinator, got employees together to participate in the Adopt-a-Highway program. Several times each year, employees and their families will spend a few hours on a Saturday picking up trash along Highway 52 near the Firestone office. In May, the Firestone office partnered with the local fire department to collect food for local food banks. People often donate to food banks during the holidays, so in the summer the supply is in desperate need of replenishing. The office collected non-perishable items for the cause and is considering making this an annual event.

Payroll coordinator Sherrie Hogue, payroll manager Christine Denio and field engineer Rakesh Bandaru enjoy some time outdoors cleaning up a portion of State Highway 52 near the Firestone, Colo. office.

Benicia and Oakland, Calif.

Amber Ferrari, new project engineer at Flatiron, is participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer for the third time. The Avon Walk is an intense, 39-mile journey over two days that helps raise money for breast cancer research to find a cure or prevention, as well as programs that enable all patients to access quality care. Amber’s goal is raising $2,000 for the cause, and she is almost there.

In May and June the participants of the Build-A-Bridge programs in Oakland and Benicia presented their projects to the judges. The first place winners were Salvador Vasquez in Oakland and Phillip Salazar in Benicia. Each winner receives scholarship money and a summer internship.

Benicia Build-A-Bridge participants Stephen Eldridge, Phillip Salazar (winner), Nick Garcia and Allison Kensiski.

San Marcos, Calif.

In June, 24 volunteers split into three teams and stood at different intersections throughout San Diego County to collect money for the Ronald McDonald House of San Diego for their annual Red Shoe Day. The money collected helps fund a home-away-from-home for children and their families while the child is treated for a serious and often life-threatening illness or injury at San Diego hospitals. The team raised a whopping $3,852 in just one day.

Members of the San Marcos team helped raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. Back row: (left to right) Teresa Quintero, Niki Rademacher, Kim Rademacher, Melissa Villareal. Front row: (left to right) Tina McGilvery, Tamika Watts.