Community Involvement
How does D.D. Williamson encourage community involvement among its employees?
D.D. Williamson's actions are guided by our stated values and beliefs. One of our beliefs is to "Act responsibly in our communities and make them better.." We have always taken this belief very seriously and feel it is our obligation to be involved in and give back to the community, not only with our money, but just as importantly with our time and talent.
D.D. Williamson at the 2007 Leadership Summit
Upper management leads by example in actively participating within our Clifton community, as well as the wider Louisville community. Several associates sit on local non-profit boards which allow us to know the needs of the community first hand. We have also appointed a person in our facility who has community outreach as part of her job. She encourages all associates to help-out when a community need arises.
Our associates' contribution to the Metro United Way demonstrates the caring and size of heart within D.D. Williamson. For the last two decades, 100% of D.D. Williamson's associates in Louisville have pledged a portion of their salary to the Metro United Way. For the 2nd year in a row, D.D. Williamson associates made the highest per capita donation to the Metro United Way of any company in Louisville. In fact, their per capita contribution ranks in the top 20 in the US.
How does D.D. Williamson encourage employees to do volunteer work, and how often?
D.D. Williamson seeks ways in which we can help the local Clifton Community. We started by establishing a relationship with United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM). Our associate who is responsible community outreach acts as the liaison. The initial request to fulfill a need was to deliver hot meals to our homebound neighbors. Since the early 1990's, two associates have taken one hour every week to deliver five to six meals to our neighbors. This volunteer outreach is rotated between eight individuals. We also act as a back-up if one of the other drivers can't deliver meals.
We adopted Breckinridge Franklin Elementary School in 1999 when it was opened down the street from our facility. Our community outreach associate stays in close contact with the resource personnel at the school to see how we can assist in their needs. Our associates have collected Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets for needy families. Our associates enjoy it the most when they can interact with the schoolchildren. We have taught all the classes of Junior Achievement to the students. Several associates were disappointed when Junior Achievement cut back the number of grades that they wanted to teach. One associate teaches the students a class on how D.D. Williamson uses science. This allows what might otherwise be a boring subject to come alive.
Our associates volunteer countless hours in a variety ways to make Clifton and Louisville a better community. A few organizations that have benefited from our associates' talents are UCHM, The Clifton Center, the Clifton Architectural Review Committee, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Boy Scouts, Cystic Fibrous Foundation, The Arthritis Foundation, The Louisville Science Center, The Louisville Orchestra, The Kentucky Cancer Center, the University of Louisville Hospital interpreting program, and The Crane House. Everyone enjoys getting out into the community to see how we at D.D. Williamson can make it better.
Examples of community and volunteer activities in which D.D. Williamson and its employees participate:
Metro United Way – 100% of associates make a gift; top per capita contributor in the region
Big Brother/Big Sisters – volunteer two teams at their bowling fundraiser
Operation Brightside – donate financially, along with a donating a Gallopalooza horse statue, Clifton Jack; DDW placed the statue in front of the Clifton Center for the community to enjoy.
Arthritis Foundation – purchase a table at the annual fundraiser; have a team of associates at the annual walk; one associate serves on the National Foundation Board
Louisville Orchestra – sponsor the Nightlite series; one associate serves on the Board.
Fund for the Arts – both employees and the company contribute to the Fund; one associate's spouse serves on the Ballet Board and Advisory Board of Actors Theatre.
United Crescent Hill Ministries – deliver Meals on Wheels; one associate serves on the Board; made capital contributions to the new center; at Christmas time, the associates participate in the "Christmas Connection" by purchasing presents for families; we are also a Gold Sponsor for the "Santa Sprint and Walk", as well as forming a team to walk.
Junior Achievement – teach Junior Achievement to all of the 3rd and 5th graders at Breckinridge Franklin School; volunteer at the Enterprise City; one associate serves on the Advisory Board.
Clifton Center – donate to the Capital Campaign; assist in the set-up of The Taste of Frankfort Avenue; one associate serves on the Board.
The Louisville Science Center – contribute to the capital campaign; one associate serves on the Board.
The Crane House – sponsor the annual dinner (for 10+ years); an associate serves on the Board.
Clifton Architectural Review Committee – an associate serves on the Committee.
Institute of Food Technologists – have countless associates serving as local officers of this national industry organization with over 20,000 professionals. The current Past President is an associate of DD Williamson.
With only 60 associates in the Louisville area, we have been called the "little company with the big heart".