Welcome to “The Good Stuff”, where we highlight positive news and ways that employees of NAED-member companies go above and beyond to give back to their communities! If you have some “Good Stuff” that you would like to share with tED magazine, find out how below.
In this issue, we’re looking at City Electric Supply.
SIERRA VISTA, Arizona — It all began when Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9972 in Sierra Vista, Arizona needed a light fixed in their parking lot. What started as two businesses helping update the parking lot in less than one day, turned into a donation of material worth $1,000 to support the renovation of the building. Recently taking on the position of Chairman of the Grounds and Maintenance, 13-year army veteran Paul St. George realized the VFW needed several updates.
“The first task I wanted to take on was the lighting in the parking lot. We have disabled veterans and guests leave at night frequently, so making sure they can see was a concern of mine,” said St. George. “Projects around the Post had been stagnant for a while, and I wanted to change that.”
St. George called upon Ed Hooper, branch manager of City Electric Supply (CES) Sierra Vista to help consult the best lighting option. Hooper has worked in the electrical industry for nearly four decades. St. George then called Eddie Soule, a foreman of Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC), to help with the installation. In less than 15 hours, CES got the material to the facility, and Soule and his team volunteered their time to complete the light installation on a Saturday.
“I’ve known Ed for over 30 years. He’s very knowledgeable about the lighting industry, so, of course, I called him. He knew the codes of what we could and couldn’t do height and light wise, which helps,” said St. George. “CES gave us a great deal on this product, and everything was executed perfectly by SSVEC. Now, we’re all enjoying the safety and comfort of the new light.”
“The project came together really well. CES helped get the material everyone needed, and my team came out and helped with the installation and made sure everything was done the way it needed to be,” said Soule. “SSVEC was happy to help out and play a role in this. The CES Sierra Vista team is great to work with, and we are here to help with anything else the VFW might need.”
The upgrade in the parking lot was well received- so much so that St. George decided that more could be done. He immediately set to work to see what could be fixed inside the VFW. CES Sierra Vista donated $1,000 worth of material to fix the inside of the building, including nearly 20 2×4 panels and over two dozen LED flood lights for recess cans and track lighting. The best part? The veterans got to be part of the updates and help out.
“The veterans actually got to install the internal light fixtures themselves. They’ve wanted to do projects like this on the facility, but they didn’t have the resources to make it happen. They are all really excited to see these upgrades coming to life,” said Hooper. “My dad and son are veterans, so helping these guys improve the VFW seemed like the least I could do as a thank you.”
Now, the VFW is continuing with renovations. The building has a new roof and tile drop ceilings to go with their continued lighting upgrades.
“We’ve got the fixer-upper momentum going right now for sure. We’re excited to have CES helping us with lighting on the inside as well, and the veterans are just thrilled,” said St. George. “We haven’t even started working on the main dining room yet!”
“The veterans have been so appreciative. This is the least we can do for them after what they have given for all of us,” said Hooper. “The fact that my team and I can help with this makes me thrilled. To see how happy the upgrades are making them makes it all worth it.”
As renovations continue, St. George and the veterans in Sierra Vista look forward to all the work that can still be done.
“We’re seeing the improvement happening around us, and it’s a really great feeling to be a part of,” said St. George. “The teams at CES Sierra Vista and SSVEC are terrific to work with, and we can’t thank them enough for the help they have given us.”
Find more “Good Stuff” articles here on tEDmag.com.
tED wants to know about your “Good Stuff”. If you work with someone who is helping other people, or a group of co-workers that’s creating better outcomes, we want to know about it.
Please send your “Good Stuff” to Editorial & Web Assistant, Marie Jakle at mjakle@naed.org and Online Editor, Nicky Herron at nherron@naed.org. Send us details, names, and photos if you have them.
Tagged with City Electric Supply, Good Stuff