After a typical morning working on manufacturing custom air handling equipment, 30 Nortek Air Solutions (NAS) executives, engineers and factory employees finished their work day handling paint brushes and brooms at the Filters For Life (FFL) center, Kingfisher, Okla.
The community service effort to spruce up the 10,000-square foot air filter fabrication facility was just another checklist item in NAS’ ongoing corporate volunteer partnership with the FFL’s non-profit charity owner, Center of Family Love (CFL), Okarche, Okla.
The partnership illustrates NAS’ corporate philosophy “To Create a Better Tomorrow Every Day.” It also mirrors a growing U.S. trend where businesses aren’t just workplaces, but also functioning community support organizations.
CFL provides direct-care for more than 130 adults living with intellectual and physical disabilities, many of whom reside at the 39-year-old organization’s 11-building, 20-acre Okarche campus. Believing that everyone has talents, abilities and a true purpose in life, regardless of the challenges they face through their disability, CFL has created career opportunities for residents in viable, self-sustaining businesses, such as the FFL and Kristy Lyn’s Flowers & Gifts, the charity’s retail giftshop and garden center that also received NAS’ updates. It’s the FFL where the budding partnership blossomed. NAS’ Kevin Flynn, vice president of engineering and a parent with a disabled child, volunteered engineering expertise to convert the FFL from handmade pleated air filters to an automated shop using high technology equipment donated and commissioned by NAS. Consequently, the FFL, which has a contract with the Oklahoma’s Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to provide replacement air filters to all state building HVAC systems, will meet its quotas with the ensuing productivity increases. Furthermore, the 22 FFL workers have replaced strenuous labor tasks with more push-button automation. The uptick in production will allow NAS to also purchase FFL’s surplus pleated fabric air filters for its Temtrol commercial air handlers it manufacturers at its nearby 300,000-square-foot Okarche plant.
Flynn eventually introduced Buddy Doll, NAS’ group president to CFL; now many employees volunteer at CFL in various levels including mentoring. Consequently, NAS is the charity’s most influential partner. “Our partnership with NAS is one of the biggest blessings to our ministry. Not only are they helping us improve facilities; they are truly fulfilling every aspect of what a partnership can be between a corporation and a charity,” says Debbie Espinosa, CFL’s president and CEO. “We are beyond grateful for the financial support and expertise provided by NAS, and while they could’ve just left it at that, they continue to share their time and energy, playing a crucial role in our community and in our residents’ lives. NAS’ actions demonstrate what a partnership is truly about.”
“When two great organizations come together, they can make a difference for people who just need the opportunity to do great things, too,” states Doll. “The CFL partnership has also changed the lives of our employees too. Giving back to such a worthy cause, has left a lifetime impression on our employees.” The community service day, which is one of many planned for 2020, concluded with a fellowship reception attended by NAS, CFL employees and CFL residents on the charity’s Okarche campus.