In fall 2009, employees of
Clark Construction Group and
Atkinson Construction (a Clark-owned subsidiary) from California, Colorado and the Mid-Atlantic region started spinning their wheels to raise funds for various causes that are close to their hearts.
“I had been kicking around this idea of using my love of cycling as a way to make a difference in the community,” says Joe Conover, vice president in Clark’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “We have quite a few people who are interested in cycling, a wellness program and a great community service program, so it seemed natural to bring all those things together.”
Members of the Mid-Atlantic office’s cycling team decided to take part in the
Sea Gull Century Ride, a 100-mile race. The team rode to raise money for the
Yellow Ribbon Fund, an organization based in Bethesda, Md., that provides support to wounded service men and women while they recover at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center.
The 16-member team embarked on the ride at Salisbury State University, wheeling through farmlands of Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Assateague Island before finishing the race back in Salisbury. At the end of the day, the team raised $15,500 for the Yellow Ribbon Fund and presented the organization with a check during its “Rockin’ for the Troops” fundraiser held before the holidays.
“We have tremendous support from Clark,” Conover says. “In addition to the $15,500 we raised, Clark bought a $5,000 table at the fundraiser and picked up the cost of the uniforms, which was very significant. We had great support from our friends and family, as well as business contacts in the community.”
David Watts, Atkinson’s vice president and director of corporate safety, is a member of the Red Riders, a team of cyclists living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the team works to find a cure for the disease by raising money for the ADA and participating in
Tour de Cure events across the country.
Watts rode in the 2009 Colorado Tour de Cure and finished a 100-kilometer race in three hours and 48 minutes. In addition, Watts was recognized as one of the event’s top 10 fundraisers.
In September, Jeff Avruch, MEP manager in Clark’s Western Region, organized and was captain of a team for a race from San Francisco to Healdsburg, Calif., to benefit the
Multiple Sclerosis Society. The team raised more than $4,000; coupled with donations from all 2,000 riders, the race generated more than $1.8 million for multiple sclerosis research.
“Community service is a large part of what we do,” Conover says. “The company has been around for 100 years, and it’s really important to Mr. Clark that his employees are a part of the community and make it better.”
Clark Construction Company is a member of four ABC chapters:
Baltimore Metro,
Florida Gulf Coast,
Metro Washington and
Virginia.