Drive Logistics Community Support
Major Campaigns
Windsor Regional Hospital Cornerstone of Caring Campaign
In June 2009 construction began at the Western campus of Windsor Regional Hospital. This $122 million project will completely transform this site. Plans include complete renovation of the Regional Rehabilitation facilities in the Tower building, construction of a new 65-bed Mental Health Hospital, upgrades to the Complex Continuing Care facilities and creation of a 30,000 square foot Healing Garden in the middle of the campus.
Upon completion, the renovations to the Western campus will be a great resource for the Windsor-Essex community. With an aging population and the increasing prevalence of mental health issues, there is a strong possibility that each of us will have a friend or family member who will utilize the services offered on this campus.
The Cornerstone of Caring campaign represents the $7 million that needs to be raised from the private sector for this project. We need help from the entire community to successfully reach our fundraising goal. By contributing to the Cornerstone of Caring campaign, donors are making a solid investment in this community and are helping to ensure that the best healthcare possible is available.
Katrina
Drive Logistics and Tregaskiss Welding Products, both of Windsor, Ontario, were ecstatic with the results of their massive 2-week New Orleans Relief Drive to help those devastated by hurricanes Katrina. Over 30 area businesses, 17 schools and 7 churches and legions partnered in this relief effort. The drive, sanctioned by the Salvation Army, ran from September 10 to September 24, 2005 raised $24,000 and filled three tractor trailers. The trailers were filled with new clothing, and shoes, water, blankets, non-perishable food items, toys, baby items and toiletries. As an added bonus, an additional three tractor trailers were filled with used clothing that was donated to local chapters of the Salvation Army and Community Living. The trucks departed on October 1 and made their way to Salvation Army depots in Jackson, Mississippi and LaPlace, Louisiana. Major Clyde Guy of the Salvation Army was the lead driver from Drive Logistics. At a critical time in the lives of thousands of displaced citizens in the devastated regions, the people of Windsor and Essex County rose to the occasion with an inspiring effort.
Brentwood
The Brentwood Recovery Home is dedicated to providing compassionate care and treatment in a residential setting for people whose primary problem is alcohol and drug abuse. In addition, Brentwood provides vital support programs for their families.
Brentwood is a non-denominational recovery home that has served over 20,000 men and women primarily from Windsor and Essex County; however clients come from all over Canada and the United States. The facility is set on nine acres with three main buildings and a pavilion. It is staffed by 37 employees including certified counsellors and medical staff.
Brentwood office manager Mark Lennox, right, displays the Trixie Lift in a newly opened barrier-free residence for persons with physical disabilities seeking addiction treatment. Visiting the barrier-free room constructed with help of sponsors Drive Logistics, Brentwood, APPD, Petretta Construction and the Government of Canada, were Mara Alexander, left, and Shelley Alexander.
Brentwood has partnered with the Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities to look after its new clients' special needs. The rooms are still being furnished but there is already a waiting list, said Lynn Calder, executive director of APPD.
"For people with high levels of physical disability, these rooms are pivotal," she said, estimating that about 20 per cent of people with disabilities struggle with addiction.
The cost of installing the barrier-free rooms was about $200,000, Russell said. It was covered by funding from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and major donations from the Lock family and Drive Logistics.
United Way
Each year the team at Drive generously donates through weekly payroll deductions to give a financial boost to the many community programs supported by United Way. Drive Logistics administers the program and matches donations made by team members throughout the year. In addition, each year a member of the Senior Management team volunteers for the "iClimb" event to raise additional funds.
In 2010, the community raised over $38,000 in pledges and sponsorships in support of the iClimb for United Way. Over 300 participants from the community stepped up to the challenge and climbed over 1300 steps at the WFCU Arena, including Drive's President, Steve Breault, pictured below with our Human Resource Specialist, Amy MacNeill.
Salvation Army
The team at Drive Logistics has a soft spot for the Salvation Army. In addition to the quick and on-the-ground responses to emergencies, such as Hurricane Katrina, the Salvation Army provides food, clothing, lodging, and health care to members of the community that are in desperate times.
The Drive team steps up to the plate during community emergencies and each year contributes to their food programs and Holiday gift baskets. Fundraisers are held throughout the year at Drive and money raised is matched by the Company.
Downtown Mission
The Downtown Mission is another charity in our community that cares for the neediest of our citizens. They operate a soup kitchen year round and food bank for the underprivileged. Each year the Company donates food to help support their efforts.
International Dragon Boat Races for the Cure
In its ninth year, the International Dragon Boat Races for the Cure has raised over 1.6 million dollars for the purchase of critical equipment for hospitals and breast cancer research.
Drive Logistics participated for the first time this year, thanks to a suggestion from Owner Operator, Rob Fleming. The Drive team, also known as Drive for the Cure, raised over $7,000, (not bad for the first year), and the team had a great time supporting a worthy cause.
More than 3,000 people participated this year putting 103 boats in the competition. People spoke of hard work and tired muscles, but they also spoke of how great it felt to be part of the fight against breast cancer, a disease that affects so many people.
Justin, one of our company drivers, shares his experience:
"The dragon boat races were a lot of fun this year and the money raised went to a great cause.
In 1993 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was put on experimental chemotherapy drugs at that time and beat the cancer and has been in remission since.
If it wasn't for the money raised by events and fund-raisers like the Dragon Boat races etc, there may not have been the experimental drugs available at the time she had her cancer. The main point of the dragon boats was to raise some money for cancer research while having fun. We did both on the Drive for the Cure team."
Athletics
The benefits of community athletics are well known. Athletics encourages people of all abilities and ages to compete at their optimum level. Athletics help to develop positive mental and physical fitness, self-discipline, decision making skills and generate a positive community spirit. Listed in the chart below are some of the community athletics sponsored by the Drive team.
Charities
The charities supported by Drive and their team encompass a wide variety of social needs including food, shelter, clothing, persons with disabilities, youth protection & development, medical research & treatment, and education. In addition to the budgeted funding, team members are encouraged to donate in support of charity either through ongoing payroll deduction, such as United Way, by participating in special fundraising events, and by sponsoring employee initiated walkathon, marathons, etc. Listed in the chart below are some of the charities supported by the Drive team:
Due to the tremendous number of requests received, we unfortunately cannot participate in every opportunity to give back to the community, however, below is a list of Community Athletics and Charities that we have supported or are currently supporting:
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Charities |
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