When Hurricane Sandy battered the east coast recently, social networks and traditional media reported on the generosity of those who donated time and money to the relief effort. I certainly think it’s noble to give to deserving causes. And as we get closer to the holiday season, many are looking for additional ways to help those who are less fortunate. At ANSYS, employees found a way to help those in the local community by participating in the 2nd Annual ANSYS Food Drive. The employee-led ANSYS Community Action Council selected the Greater Washington County Food Bank (GWCFB) as the organization to support this season. Much of the effort came from self-motivated employees, but it was also a way for ANSYS (the company) to give back to the community where we work and call home.
Over the past few months, 3,065 pounds of food and almost $4,500 was collected and donated to the GWCFB, which has been assisting an average of 3,400 local households per year for nearly 30 years. Both the food bank — and those it serves — are proud of the caring and generosity shown by ANSYS employees.
(Left to Right) Michael Fragello, Jim Bebout, Thomas Matich, Kim Grego, Kristina Kelley, and Jennifer LaMagna
ANSYS employees surpassed their goal of 2,000 pounds of food because of the employees who participated and local businesses that assisted by providing both support and materials, including: Big Fella’s Pizza Deli and Wings, Big Jim’s Roadhouse, Bridgeville Rollerplex, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Club Bistro, Eastern Palace, Houlihan’s, Iceoplex at Southpointe, Leaf and Bean, Nemacolin Woodlands, Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Santorini’s Restaurant and Catering, Southpointe Golf Club, Springhouse Country Market and Restaurant, Tim’s Car Wash, Vincent’s of Southpointe Pizza, and Washington Wild Things. ANSYS would not have been able to help the Greater Washington County Food Bank as effectively without everyone’s help!
Thank you to all of the ANSYS family who participated in the food drive, raffles and bake sale, and, of course, those who organized the food drive: The team consisted of 10 ANSYS employees and two organizers, Kim Grego and myself.
A few ANSYS organizations contributed through ongoing raffles that raised $1,263 (ANSYS Business Operations Department and the Community Action Council) while the Employee Activities Committee organized a tasty bake sale, collecting $714. Finally, the ANSYS corporate funds account donated $2,500 to increase our total monetary donation to $4,477.92.
Congratulations to everyone at ANSYS (and in the community) on a job well done! Now, more than ever, those who are less fortunate are seeking help. So if you are the giving kind, contact the Greater Washington County Food Bank or an organization that you would like to support and help those in your community.