for your help in producing this edition of High Spirit.
Emily Blackwell
Leah Connors
Joy Dickson
Stacie Eberly
Erika Glass
Darryl Gordon
Tara Gustafson
Gary Hambright
Mike Lorelli
Mark Lukes
Lisa Masters
Dave Nicholas
Jane Owens
Bob Ramiza
Laurie Salzmann
Lucinda Santiago
Mike Shirk
Caroline Singh
Robin Stauffer
Shawna Supplee
Jelena Vitor
Sue Weniger
On the Cover
In November, High Real Estate Group
LLC marked the Grand Opening of its newest multi-family property, The Reserve at Greenfield, See page 6 for details!
High Spirit
In this issue...
l A Message From The Chief Executive Officer
F The Year in Review
l Go on Offense in Our Industrial Businesses
l Execute and Grow Our Real Estate Pipeline
l Reinvigorate the Entrepreneurial Spirit that Built High
l Be a Leader in Our Communities
l Supercharge Organizational and Talent Development
l Industry Leadership
F HAL Unveils The Reserve at Greenfield
F HIGHSL Stainless Products Provide Superior Value
Winter 2018
F Topping Off Ceremony Held for the Statue of Liberty Museum
F HHL Opens Its Fourteenth Hotel
F HCG Joins Bethlehem Community for Parking Garage Dedication
F Co-Workers Mix and Mingle at Jingle Bell Breakfasts
F HSS Awarded Contract for Second K-Bridge
F Whistle Blower Policy
F High Honors
F High Awards
F They Give Good Measure
l Amber N. Bunting, Cycle Counter, HCG, Denver, PA
l Erik C. McCulloch, Marketing Representative, HAL, Orchard Ridge, Pottstown, PA
l Community Commitment
F HCC Charity Golf Invitational Breaks Fundraising Records
F The S. Dale High Family Foundation: Building a Bridge to Opportunity
F High Supports First Response Team of America’s Disaster Recovery Efforts
F The S. Dale High Family Foundation Provides Key Sponsorship for The 2017 Extraordinary Give
High Spirit is published as a service to High® co-workers and retirees, and their families. Submissions, comments, and suggestions are welcome and should be submitted to:
Laurie M. Newmoyer, Editor
lnewmoyer@high.net l 717/293-4479
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Year In Review
2017 was an excellent year for High Real Estate Group, with a substantially increased level of activity across many dimensions. Same-store operating cash flow and returns exceeded plan. Our teams made big progress on several growth initiatives, including:
l OPENED: Reserve at Greenfield apartments, Mt. Laurel SpringHill Suites hotel, and the Saucon Valley SpringHill Suites hotel.
l ACQUIRED: Ewing Courtyard hotel and four apartment communities in Central Pennsylvania.
l BROKE GROUND: The Crossings and Lancaster Marriott expansion.
Additionally, we initiated a comprehensive strategy process for Greenfield Corporate Center that will progress through 2018, and developed proprietary market models in the Hotel and Multi-Family portfolios that will enable us to move with greater speed and conviction on new opportunities. While many of our hotels performed well and remain in the top quartile of guest satisfaction, we did fall short in a few that were impacted by delayed property upgrades. Although the residential division had a great year overall, we would have liked to have done more acquisitions, as well.
2017 was a very mixed year for High Industries. Our operating results were well below plan. The most significant driver of that shortfall was a very different market environment for concrete parking garages, with lower volumes and significant margin pressure. This dynamic reinforces the importance of growth in other market segments. We also had lighter than planned volumes in High Steel Structures and High Steel Service Center. We proactively controlled our expenses and capital, maintaining positive free cash flow and a healthy balance sheet. Taking a step back, 2017 was an important transition year, where we addressed challenges and pursued opportunities that are critical for our future. For example:
l HIGH STEEL: Improved our competitive position by reducing overhead, launching High Steel University, and delivering the best quality results since at least 2009, all while achieving very high market share in an otherwise fairly weak market.
l HIGH CONCRETE: In the face of a declining parking garage market, we grew architectural sales 60% and StructureCare 45%, and developed a new product, Thincast.
l HIGH CONSTRUCTION: Entered 2017 with weak performance on a few projects. Following several changes, we experienced a strong second half and enter 2018 in much better shape.
l HIGH STEEL
SERVICE CENTER:
We identified two new growth products and several service enhancements through feedback from 100+ customers
Lastly, we are pleased with the progress made across all the High companies in our key talent and leadership development investments, in strengthening our brand, and in increasing our impact in our communities. In the next few pages you’ll see just some of the highlights from the year. There are many others. These stories are a result of your dedication and hard work!
Mike Shirk
FINISHING STRONG
A note from Neil Napolitano, Area Project Manager-Approach Spans, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC:
“The design and construction of a project like the Tappan Zee Bridge within a timeframe of less than 5 years is a challenge that most people do not understand until it’s too late. I can tell you that once Tappan Zee Constructors (TZC) was awarded the contract, the first thing we did was look at each other and say, “What did we just do to ourselves?” Even though we were the ones who held the contract responsible for the success of the project, it was not TZC who would build the new Tappan Zee Bridge; it would be our entire industry. And because it’s been many decades since our country has called upon our industry to execute a project of this magnitude, we were unsure how the industry would react. We did not take this challenge lightly. We called upon the largest, most capable suppliers, producers, and fabricators in the country to help. And while all were eager to be a part of this opportunity, all of them at some point struggled to keep up with the magnitude and pace of the project, including ourselves at TZC. All of them, except for High Steel. If there was one organization that showed they were up to the challenges of Tappan Zee, it was High Steel.
On behalf of everyone at TZC, we would like to thank all of you for your exceptional performance and dedication to the project, and for being one less problem I had to deal with.”
GO ON OFFENSE IN OUR INDUSTRIAL BUSINESSES
ARCHITECTURAL INNOVATION
High Concrete Group designed and delivered architectural panels for the high-profile Statue of Liberty Museum. Architectural revenue grew 60%.
CUSTOMER VALUE
High Steel Service Center invested in two new growth products –HIGHSL Stainless and HIGHSL Aluminum – and several service enhancements based on input from 100+ customers.
CONSTRUCTION GROWTH
High Construction Company achieved record revenue and backlog, and made investments to improve project execution performance going forward.
UPPING OUR GAME
High Steel Structures launched High Steel University, reduced overhead, improved quality, and exceeded new sales goals, despite a low bid environment, by achieving its best win rate in 20 years.
ACQUISITIONS
High Hotels acquired one hotel in Ewing, NJ, and High Associates added four Lancaster/Lebanon, PA, multi-family communities to its portfolio.
OPENINGS
High Associates opened The Reserve at Greenfield, and High Hotels marked the opening of SpringHill Suites in Mt. Laurel, NJ, and Saucon Valley, PA.
EXECUTE AND GROW OUR REAL ESTATE PIPELINE
FUEL FOR GROWTH
High Real Estate Group sold the Hampton Inn-Lexington Park, MD, and Westbury Mews Apartments, Summerville, SC, freeing up resources to reinvest in new growth opportunities.
GROUND BREAKING
High Real Estate Group broke ground for The Crossings at Conestoga Creek, and the downtown Marriott expansion, both in Lancaster, PA.
The High Environmental Health and Safety Consulting Team assisted 213 different organizations by performing more than 150 industrial hygiene and indoor air quality projects, monitoring safety at 65 construction projects, and conducting over 150 safety training sessions, all with strong customer satisfaction.
FINANCIAL STRENGTH
Operating cash flow was up 5% vs 2016. Leased 2.2 million square feet of commercial space, up 70%.
CUSTOMER SUCCESS
96% of commercial customers and 93% of residential customers recommend High Associates Ltd. Our apartment residents rated us 4.2 out of 5 for overall experience.
INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE
From 2015 to 2017, High Real Estate Group has committed to acquiring or developing over $250 million in new property.
BUILDING A BUSINESS
StructureCare grew revenue 40% and deepened customer relationships.
EDUCATOR EXTERNSHIP
High developed and hosted 45 educators for a 3-day externship, giving them an in-depth view of 25 STEM-related careers. 100% of attendees said they would recommend the program.
REINVIGORATE THE
SPIRIT THAT BUILT HIGH
SINGLE DATA MODEL
Integrated data from sales, projects, production, and finance to improve quality and efficiency, unleashing the full potential of Building Information Management (BIM).
SALES INNOVATION
Several High companies (with High Concrete Group in the lead) incorporated the use of virtual and augmented reality into our sales process, enabling potential customers to better experience the possibilities and vision for their project.
APARTMENT CONSTRUCTION
High Construction committed in 2015 to invest and expand in the multi-family segment. Revenue in that segment grew almost 10x in 2017 versus the previous year.
BE A LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITIES
STEM EDUCATION
High directly reached 7,500 K-12 students through over 10 different programs, helping to inspire and educate about science and technology concepts and careers.
LIVING UNITED
High co-workers and retirees exceeded the company’s United Way Campaign goal, raising over $250,000. Thank you for Living United!
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
In 2017, about 200 organizations were touched through monetary contributions or volunteering.
SUPERCHARGE ORGANIZATIONAL AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
The Organizational Development and Training Team led 140 coworkers through leadership classes in 2017. That equates to over 3,400 hours invested in Leadership Development during the year.
HIGH EMPLOYEE APP
Launched the Employee App in June, providing co-workers with company news, information, and videos right at their fingertips. The app is easy to use and is accessible using a smart device or a personal computer.
RECRUITING
Welcomed 21 interns in 2017 and created a recruiting center of excellence to more proactively invest in talent partners and improve our tools. We welcomed Angie Hessen, Talent Acquisition Manager, and Laurie Miller, Recruiting Manager, to help make High a stronger organization.
PLAYING HARD
The Co-worker Activities Committee (CAC) held 12 Fun events with more than 3,000 co-workers and family members participating across all events.
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
86% of co-workers who participated in biometric screening met or improved health factors. 731 health coaching sessions across all High entities touched 120 co-workers and spouses.
HIGH STEEL UNIVERSITY
High Steel Structures launched what will become the best training system in its industry by far. The Team built the physical school and developed 40 courses so far.
GOOD MEASURE AWARD
7 co-workers or teams were chosen to receive the GMA. Of those, 2 were awarded the Grand Prize - one from High Industries and one from High Real Estate Group - during the High Forum.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
HAL Unveils The Reserve at Greenfield
November 14, 2017, marked the unveiling of High Associates Ltd.’s newest residential community, The Reserve at Greenfield. Located adjacent to Greenfield Corporate Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the 107,000-square-foot, 82-unit building was built by High Construction Company. It includes amenities like parking garages, farmhouse-inspired decor, a fitness center, a self-service pet spa, and a bicycle repair and storage facility.
On hand to cut the ribbon were: Mark Fitzgerald, President and COO of HREG; Brad Mowbray, HAL Senior Vice President of Acquisitions/Residential; Tina McGinnis, HAL Regional Manager, Residential; and Rick Stoudt, President of High Construction Company.
The Reserve fills a demand for upscale apartments in Lancaster County‘s increasingly tight rental market, and caters to a clientele renting by choice. Its completion also comes at a time when High Real Estate Group LLC is looking to ramp up its rental game along the Mid-Atlantic through both new construction and acquisition of existing complexes.
HIGHSL Stainless Products Provide
Superior Value
Smith Metal Works, located in Newark, New York, is a target customer for High Steel Service Center LLC’s HIGHSL stretcher leveled stainless steel sheet and plate.
Wilbur F. Smith started a small welding shop in 1945. The company expanded and then incorporated in 1963 as a steel fabrication and machining company. In 1970, Wayne F. Smith joined the business, and was named CEO in 1975. Leading the company in the ice control spreading equipment industry, he designed and patented
Interiors feature high-end finishes for the discerning tenant.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
the “Harder Dump Box Spreader Insert” for dump trucks. Wayne envisioned an all-stainless salt spreader as the future of the industry, and the best opportunity for continued success of the company and its team of talented co-workers.
HIGHSL Stainless Steel Sheet and Plate has played an important role in the manufacture of the spreader insert. John Cornwell, Smith’s General Manager, says they value the superior flatness HIGHSL stretcher leveled stainless provides. Its quality has increased productivity and throughput, resulting in processing, forming, and welding improvements, and has eliminated internal stresses that cause flatness problems associated with non-stretched stainless steel. All of these product advantages impact the bottom line by lowering Smith’s operating costs.
HSSC values Smith Metal Works’ business, and looks forward to future growth opportunities for HIGHSL Stainless steel and Aluminum sheet and plate.
Topping Off Ceremony Held for the Statue of Liberty Museum
The final steel beam was set in place for the Statue of Liberty Museum during a ceremonial topping off event held in early December of 2017. The precast concrete panels for this 26,000 square-foot building were fabricated by High Concrete Group LLC at its plant in Denver, Pennsylvania. The museum’s completion is scheduled for 2019.
Diane Von Furstenberg, who serves as the fundraising committee chair, and Stephen Briganti, president of the Statue of LibertyEllis Island Foundation, signed their names on the last steel beam, as did construction crews and design teams involved in the project.
HCG was awarded this high profile job in 2017, and has substantially completed its work on the museum. The insulated precast wall panels will serve as the shear walls for the building, while also serving as its architectural façade. The museum will feature a green roof, including hardscaping and meadow grass, and the front of the building will be encased in glass with a direct view of Lady Liberty. The Statue’s original torch will be placed in the lobby in front of the Inspiration Gallery.
The signed girder is lifted into place during the topping off ceremony.
In the shop with Smith Metal Works‘ co-workers. HSSC‘s Gary Hambright is on the far right.
HHL Opens Its Fourteenth Hotel
High Hotels Ltd. celebrated the opening of a new SpringHill Suites by Marriott on December 13, 2017. The 132-suite hotel is located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, less than 10 miles from the cities of Bethlehem and Allentown.
The hotel lobby is a great place for casual meetings or for guests to relax and socialize.
Ideal for business and leisure travelers alike, the new hotel offers suites larger than typical hotel rooms, with separate spaces for living, working, and sleeping. Guests will enjoy delicious food and beverage offerings, including local craft beer and premium wines available through the hotel’s fullservice bar and bistro, as well as daily complimentary breakfast. The property includes a 24/7 Market, an outdoor patio with a relaxing fire pit, and 780 square feet of meeting space to accommodate meetings and functions of up to 60 people. The hotel also offers business services, complimentary Wi-Fi, same-day dry cleaning, guest laundry facilities, an indoor swimming pool, and a 24-hour fitness center.
“We are excited to mark the opening of our third SpringHill Suites by Marriott hotel and our fourteenth property in the High Hotels portfolio,” said Russ Urban, President of HHL. “We are confident that guests will enjoy this all-suite hotel’s extra space, stylish aesthetic, and convenient location to businesses and leisure attractions.”
HCG Joins Bethlehem Community for Parking Garage Dedication
A dedication ceremony was held on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, for the New Street Parking Garage in Southside Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In addition to representatives from High Concrete Group LLC, area officials and community leaders were present, and spoke about the importance of the garage for the growth of the city, and as a catalyst in the revitalization of the South Side Business District.
Fabricated by HCG, this 626-space garage is comprised of 451 precast pieces with 126,520 cast-in thin bricks. The total weight of the precast for this project was 10,590 tons, and was shipped in 408 loads. Erection of the panels took 35 days.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
Co-Workers Mix and Mingle at Jingle Bell Breakfasts
The Lancaster Co-worker Activities Committee held its Jingle Bell Breakfast on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, East Earl, Pennsylvania. This is CAC’s most popular event, with a total of 1,159 registered. Santa and Mrs. Claus were present to take pictures with smiling High co-workers and their families, and all attendees enjoyed a delicious breakfast. There to assist Santa were elves Emily Simmons, daughter of Jenni Simmons (HCL), and her friend Meghan Clishman. Sara Ensor, daughter of the late Jim Shirk (HT), and her family carried on a tradition, dressing as snowmen and reindeer and spreading holiday cheer in memory of Jim. There were balloon artists and face painters, and HSS’s very own Jack Thompson was on hand to wow the crowd with his magical talents.
Gordon (HCL) with Larry Faust (HCG) and friend.
In Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the Jingle Bell Breakfast was held on Sunday December 10, 2017, at the Holiday Inn. Approximately 175 co-workers and family members attended this fun-filled morning. Santa paid a visit, bringing some bags of goodies for the children. There were crafts for the kids - such as making a Christmas tree from a paper plate or a candy cane from beads, or making an ornament for their own tree.
Thank you, CAC members and volunteers, for helping to make these fun happy holiday events a great success!
Ho-ho-hold it! Is that Santa? No, it‘s Charlie Mazur (HSS) with Jelena Vitor (HCL) at the Lancaster breakfast!
Darryl
This mini Minnie Mouse models her beautifully painted face.
At the Williamsport event, James Ross and his wife, Candace, enjoy a moment with Santa.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
HSS Awarded Contract for Second K-Bridge
New York’s new dual-span Kosciuszko Bridge is planned to last for the next century, due in part to a superstructure fabricated and metalized by High Steel Structures LLC. Fabrication has already begun for the Phase 2, westbound lanes of the K-Bridge over the Newtown Creek in New York City. In the coming months, HSS will fabricate and metalize 3,404 tons of steel for the project, which is being built by Granite Construction.
Rendering courtesy of NYSDOT‘s project website.
Fabrication in action: (right) John Preston operates the milling machine; (below left) Adam Dieffenbacher runs the electroslag machine; (below right) Cody Bufford does the initial fit.
The 2,700-ton Phase 1 eastbound superstructure was fabricated by HSS under a separate contract won in 2014, and was a Design-Build contract, where the general contractor was responsible for the design and construction of the structure. In Phase 2, project owner New York State Department of Transportation used the Phase 1 design as a model and released the project as a traditional Design-Bid-Build project. Although the basic designs of both phases are similar and the finished structures will look virtually identical, there are subtle differences in welding requirements, as well as in the “rocket launcher” cable anchorage tubes that extend below the bottom flanges of the edge girders, which will require High Transit LLC to ship the edge girders in a horizontal position.
Deliveries for Phase 2 are scheduled to begin in late June 2018, and will be completed in February 2019.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
Whistle Blower Policy
It is High‘s policy to comply fully with all laws and to conduct business in an ethical and honest manner. Co-workers are urged to report any information they may have about possible violations of law, fraudulent activity involving any High business or co-worker, or violations of any High policy to any director, officer, manager or supervisor, or to the toll-free hotline the Company has established for that purpose.
The hotline is available 24-hours-a-day, seven-daysa-week. Calls are generally answered by a trained professional, often bilingual. If not answered by a person, callers will be prompted to leave a message (anonymous if desired by the caller) describing their concern. All information will be forwarded to the appropriate Audit Committee Chairperson or Senior Company Manager for handling. Callers leaving their contact information will receive follow-up calls.
Co-workers may not be discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed or in any other manner discriminated against because the co-worker has provided information regarding possible violations, or has reported a violation of law to any responsible federal, state, or local governmental agency. The Whistle Blower Policy is intended to assure that evidence of wrongdoing is quickly and effectively communicated by providing protection against retaliation for co-workers who report information concerning a violation of law, Company policy, or fraudulent conduct.
High Honors
Mansoor Illahi
...earned a Masters degree in Engineering from Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania. Mansoor joined HCG in 2012, and serves as Design Engineer.
Joseph A. Varano
...earned the American National Standards Institute’s CAMT (Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician) certificate. Joe joined HAL in 2014 and serves as Building MaintenanceSpecialized for Greenfield Estates.
Amanda M. Wood
...earned the Pennsylvania Apartment Association-Central’s NALP (National Apartment Leasing Professional) designation. Amanda joined HAL in 2016 and serves as Marketing Representative for Bentley Ridge.
Russell “Rusty” Wynegar
…earned a Masters degree in Business Administration from Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Rusty joined High in 2014, and serves as Plant Manager for the HSS Williamsport facility.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
High Awards
Matthew B. Hensley
...was named Maintenance Supervisor of the Year during the 2017 Bravo Awards - Greater Charlotte Apartment Association. Matt joined HAL in 2013 and serves as Residential Maintenance Leadperson for York Ridge, Charlotte, North Carolina.
James F. Sieck
received the Excellence in Operational Leadership Award in Hilton’s AllSuites division. Jim joined HHL in 2002, and serves as General Manager for its Homewood Suites by Hilton-Reading, Pennsylvania.
Homewood Suites by Hilton-Harrisburg
West
was awarded the Connie Pride Award of Excellence in Hilton’s All-Suites division.
High Associates Ltd.
...residential properties and co-workers in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster and Lebanon Counties received the following awards during the Pennsylvania Apartment Association-Central’s 2017 Best of Living Gala:
Mary H. Sheir
...received 2nd place for Leasing Professional of the Year while with the Greenfield Estates apartment community. Mary joined HAL in 2013 and serves as Assistant Community Manager for The Reserve at Greenfield, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Amanda M. Wood
...was named Rookie of the Year. She joined HAL in 2016 and serves as Marketing Representative for Bentley Ridge, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Bentley Ridge (Community 9 to 30 years old with more than 225 units)
1st place: Curb Appeal Excellence and Maintenance Excellence
2nd place: Marketing and Leasing Excellence and 2nd place: Overall Community Excellence
Greenfield Estates (Community 30 to 43 years old - more than 200 units)
1st place: Curb Appeal Excellence, Marketing and Leasing Excellence,
1st place: Maintenance Excellence, and Overall Community Excellence
Greenland Village (Community 30 to 43 years old - less than 200 units)
1st place: Maintenance Excellence and Overall Community Excellence
2nd place: Curb Appeal Excellence and Marketing and Leasing Excellence
Lebanon Court (Community over 40 years old)
1st place: Maintenance Excellence
2nd place: Marketing and Leasing Excellence and 2nd place: Overall Community Excellence
Village Green (Community over 40 years old)
1st place: Marketing and Leasing Excellence
2nd place: Maintenance Excellence and Overall Community Excellence
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
They Give Good Measure
Amber N. Bunting Cycle Counter
High Concrete Group LLC, Denver, Pennsylvania
Nominators: Stacy D. Artz, Shane S. Frees, and Terri M. Martin
When Amber observed an inefficient work area, she spearheaded an inventory reorganization project to improve productivity.
To begin, she outlined a concept and created a scale layout of the area to be reorganized. In addition to leading several planning meetings and developing the bulk of the materials needed to communicate and execute the project, Amber held a lunch and learn meeting where she highlighted the project’s milestones and payback. Throughout the process, she talked with co-workers, enabling them to voice concerns and provide suggestions, and then implemented these ideas when appropriate. The end result is a work area that has shown significant gains in daily productivity.
By developing and executing this reorganization, Amber has shown herself to be an innovative leader. Her collaborative style has nurtured trustworthy relationships with her co-workers, energizing the team for this and future inventory improvement initiatives.
Erik C. McCulloch
Marketing Representative, High Associates Ltd.
Orchard Ridge, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Nominator: Kathryn S. Sylvia
Living where you work can cause difficulties with work/life balance. As a co-worker and resident of Orchard Ridge, Erik shows that giving Good Measure is a ‘round the clock endeavor!
Residents who forget or lose their keys often show up at Erik’s door. Without complaint, he will go to the office to get spare keys, saving the resident a $50 after-hours service fee. He routinely assists elderly residents by carrying in groceries, shoveling their cars out of the snow, and delivering heavy packages that arrive in the office. He even met a former tenant on a Sunday to give them a package that had been shipped to an old address. In another case, an elderly resident called just as the office was closing and told Erik she had fallen in her apartment while preparing to go to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. Even though the resident claimed to be fine, Erik checked in on her, and then went to the drug store to pick up the prescription.
Whether in the office or off the clock, Erik goes above and beyond his job responsibilities, and consistently demonstrates his commitment to Orchard Ridge and its residents. His kind and selfless acts make Orchard Ridge a great place for his neighbors to call “home.”
HCC Charity Golf Invitational Breaks Fundraising Records
High Construction Company raised more than $52,000 during its charity golf invitational. Held on September 22, 2017, the event benefits Children’s Miracle Network and Penn State Children’s Hospital. Geared toward specialty trade contractors, architects, engineers, and suppliers of goods and services to the construction industry, the golf event has drawn the support of more than 180 local businesses. Since the first golf outing in 2008, this annual event has raised more than $280,000 for CMN.
“Building community and giving back to the community are at the heart of our event,“ says Rick Stoudt, President of HCC. “We‘re connecting our business partners through golf and goodwill; and it‘s making a difference in the lives of our neighbors, friends, and associates that have to bear the unthinkable.” Of the 37 percent increase in funds raised over the prior year, Rick said, “We‘re honored by the staggering level of support that grows each year at our event. It’s all for the kids!”
Serving Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York, Pennsylvania, Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Children’s Hospital, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has raised more than $65 million since 1984. Funds raised stay local to help to purchase life-saving equipment and support vital patient programs, services, and pediatric research at Penn State Children’s Hospital. “We are so grateful to partner with High Construction Company and their generous vendors,” said Danielle Sunday, Director of CMN at Penn State Children’s Hospital. “From equipment that saves lives to programs that help families face the unimaginable, together, we can give sick and injured kids in our community the gift of growing up.”
Members of the High Construction team present the big check to CMN representatives.
Rick Stoudt and Ross Ansel of Greenfield Architects Ltd. show great sportsmanship.
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
The S. Dale High Family Foundation: Building a Bridge to Opportunity
Each year, The S. Dale High Family Foundation aligns itself with community organizations to support positive change within areas of identified need. In 2017, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees continued its focus on eliminating poverty by supporting organizations focused on systemic change. The Foundation provided for many a bridge from poverty to sustainability and financial stability – a Bridge to Opportunity. Throughout 2017, the Foundation also invested in projects and organizations that served to improve Lancaster City aesthetics and neighborhoods, contributing to the overall economic vibrancy of the community.
Thanks to the continued generosity of Dale High and the High Family, significant growth has occurred within the Foundation over the past several years. As a result of this growth, the following organizations were awarded grants in the 2017 cycle of giving:
l Bridge of Hope
l Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
l Chestnut Housing Corporation
l Children Deserve a Chance Foundation
l The Common Wheel
l Community Action Partnership
l Factory Ministries
l IMPACT! Missions
l Junior Achievement of South-Central PA
l City of Lancaster
l Lancaster City Alliance
l Lancaster County Career and Technology Foundation
l Lancaster County Council of Churches
l Lancaster County Conservancy
l Lancaster Early Education Center
l Lancaster EMS
l Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership
l Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity
l Lancaster Redevelopment Fund Inc.
l Lancaster Science Factory
l Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
l Lancaster Theological Seminary
l Library System of Lancaster County
l Milagro House
l Millersville University
l New Person Ministries
l Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
l Real Life Community Services
l The Salvation Army
l Southeast Lancaster Health Services
l Tabor Community Services
l Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
l Vision Corps Foundation
l Wellspan Ephrata Community Hospital
l YMCA
According to Robin Stauffer, Executive Director of the Foundation, “Our niche has been to contribute mainly to capital ‘bricks and mortar’ projects that add to, or enhance, facilities and equipment for the long-term. Thanks to the ongoing generosity of the High Family, many organizations and institutions have been able to provide vital services throughout the communities in which we live and work. Our vision is to continue this support for generations to come.”
For more information, please visit www.sdalehighfamilyfoundation.com.
High Supports First Response Team of America‘s Disaster Recovery Efforts
2017 will be remembered as a historic year when it comes to natural disasters. A record-breaking year of storms affected millions of families, leaving many to figure out how to begin to pick up the pieces. For this reason, the First Response Team of America keeps responding to storms year after year, helping their fellow man in what often is their greatest hour of need. Though the team responded to many tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes in different parts of the United States, Texas urgently needed their help after Hurricane Harvey devastated areas of the state spanning hundreds of miles.
First Response Team provides machinery and labor for disaster recovery efforts, as well as distributing equipment so people can begin clean-up efforts on their own.
When faced with tragedy, the people of Texas are resilient and give of themselves to help others in need, regardless of what they themselves are facing. A family-owned business that embodies that same giving spirit is the High companies. Because of High Real Estate Group LLC’s donated building space in Greenfield Corporate Center, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and help in the shop from High Transit LLC co-worker volunteers, the First Response Team has a home base where they can store and service their response and recovery equipment, ensuring this specialized fleet is always ready to respond to communities in need.
As Hurricane Harvey approached the Gulf Coast, the Team left Lancaster and headed to Texas, where they first responded to Rockport and Aransas Pass, and then served in both Houston and Richmond over the next few months. They cleared roads so first responders could mobilize and storm survivors could gain access to appropriate resources, gutted homes, cleared trees off homes, and provided temporary power and air conditioners for the elderly. First Response also utilized its donated building space in Lancaster to receive muchneeded tools and supplies that were palletized and then distributed in devastated communities in Florida and Texas.
High’s donated space and volunteers help First Response Team make a difference in the lives of so many who’ve lost everything from damage inflicted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. “I’d like to thank High for making this partnership possible. Together we are making a positive impact, giving hope to those who desperately need it,” said Tad Agoglia, Founder of the First Response Team of America. High is proud to support First Response Team of America and the work it does to aid and encourage families during disaster recovery.
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
The S. Dale High Family Foundation Provides
Key Sponsorship for The 2017 Extraordinary Give
The S. Dale High Family Foundation was a Presenting Sponsor of Lancaster County’s 2017 Extraordinary Give, which took place on November 17, 2017. High’s $100,000 contribution was used to help increase the event’s “stretch pool” of matching donations to participating nonprofit organizations by more than 40 percent, for a total of $500,000.
The Presenting Sponsorship is the highest of four sponsorship levels for the Extraordinary Give, which is an annual program of the Lancaster County Community Foundation. Now in its sixth year, Extraordinary Give is a 24-hour online giving event, which has raised more than $22.5 million to benefit more than 400 regional nonprofits.
“We’re delighted to join with the Community Foundation as a Presenting Sponsor of the Extraordinary Give,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Robin Stauffer. “This event is an important point of engagement for philanthropy that is producing meaningful results in Lancaster. We want to see it thrive.”
The S. Dale High Family Foundation makes capital contributions through strategic partnerships that align with its focus on eliminating poverty and strengthening the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as well as projects that lead to enhanced economic vibrancy for the entire community. The sponsorship announcement was made at The S. Dale High Leadership Center, a new facility that is home to the Foundation.
Beyond High, 16 other Lancasterarea companies contributed to the stretch pool at various sponsorship levels. Only one other firm, financial adviser Rodgers & Associates, was a presenting sponsor.
Rick and Jessica Rodgers, represented Rodgers and Associates; Sam Bressi of the Lancaster County Community Foundation; and Robin Stauffer, Suzanne High, and Dale High, representing The S. Dale High Family Foundation.
Dale High talks with members of local media to bring attention to this important community event.
