Day One – Teams working quickly before the rain

In 2006, the StandardAero Charitable Donations Committee, that administers the Pledge Program, wanted greater involvement in Habitat for Humanity.  The Committee chose to increase the Pledge Program’s donation to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s Adopt-A-Day Program.  The Adopt-A-Day Program allows organizations to participate in a Habitat for Humanity build by sponsoring a day through monetary and “sweat equity” contributions.  Employees interested in the Adopt-A-Day initiative were asked to donate a day to assist in a build.  The inaugural StandardAero Adopt-A-Day event was a rain soaked Saturday providing landscaping for two houses in Winnipeg.  Although the participants were damp, their spirits were not and through true StandardAero teamwork, the team of twenty volunteers spread topsoil, installed sod and other various landscaping duties in less than four hours.  The feedback from the participants was so great that the Committee agreed to participate in this event on an annual basis.  

Day One – SAE Customer Support Team working in the rain

StandardAero continued to participate in 2007 and 2008 on main builds, which involved the construction of the house structure.  In 2008, StandardAero and Habitat for Humanity believed that more involvement was possible.  Senior Leadership of StandardAero approved a program where StandardAero would be the landscape provider for Habitat for Humanity for a minimum of 2 years.  The landscape initiative was chosen because it gave all an opportunity to participate. StandardAero provided any landscaping materials that were not donated by other contributors as well as labour.  Dave Nowosad and Ron Lent, two of StandardAero’s Directors in the TLM Business Unit acted as a liaison between suppliers, Habitat for Humanity and StandardAero. 

Participation in this initiative had a couple of requirements.  The first requirement was participation had to be team-based.  The Committee asked for entire cells or departments to participate.  The result would be a rewarding experience where teams developed a greater sense of team unity while giving back to the community.  The second requirement was for teams to be available on a scheduled date so the materials could be delivered at one time.

Day Two – Teams working hard and having fun

In June 2009, StandardAero sent nine teams over three different days to work on eight properties.  On the first day of landscaping, five teams worked on Minto Avenue during a rain soaked afternoon.  The teams installed sidewalks, moved and shoveled limestone and dirt and rolled out as much sod as possible.  Our Site Leader, Ian Smart, arrived to lend a helping hand and support, which was greatly appreciated.  Despite the conditions, the teams were able to make good progress on the six properties. 

On the second day of landscaping, one team worked on a house on Elgin Avenue and two teams continued work on Minto Avenue.  On this day, Mother Nature was more cooperative and provided a sunny afternoon.  The team working on Elgin Avenue completed the landscaping by late afternoon.  The two teams working on Minto were presented with some challenges from the wet conditions that affected the teams the previous week.  The teams persevered, worked feverishly and completed as much as possible.  The effort was valiant as the two teams made further progress.  After two afternoons, all six properties had sod in the fronts of the houses and a few houses had sod in back.

On the third day of landscaping, one team was deployed to continue working on Minto Avenue.  While rain threatened on that day, the sun did prevail and the team was able to complete another one and half properties. 

Day Three – The TLM Customer Support Team spreading topsoil

Regardless of the weather, all participants felt the initiative was an excellent opportunity to build team spirit and give back to the community.  Some teams used the opportunity to have a lunch event beforehand and made a fun afternoon event.  While the work is not entirely complete, StandardAero is pleased with the progress and is committed to provide support to the remaining houses (one on Minto Avenue and four on Adsum Drive) in the late Summer or early Fall. 

A special thanks goes to all the participating teams:

• PT6 Build Cell
• PT6 Estimate Cell
• StandardAero Energy Customer Support Team
• CF34 Technical Training Program Team
• StandardAero Technical Services Engineering Team
• StandardAero Energy Engineering Team
• TLM Operations Leadership Team
• MIS Applications Team
• TLM Customer Support Team

In addition, thanks to Vern Koop and the entire Habitat for Humanity Team for their coordination, patience and involvement!  We hope that the rest of 2009 and 2010 will be just as fun and successful!