2008 Summer Search (Ongoing)
Guidant is providing ongoing employee time and financial support to Summer Search throughout 2008. Summer Search is a leadership development program with a unique commitment to providing a lasting support network for low-income high school students. Its mission is to inspire students to become responsible, altruistic leaders by providing year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences and college advising.
Guidant has participated with the Seattle chapter in numerous events, and employees have returned each time re-energized and inspired. The events have included an introduction breakfast, a run around Seattle’s Greenlake and the going-away potluck for graduating students.
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On May 31, 2008, over 30 Guidant employees, friends and family joined together to rehabilitate the home of a Kirkland, Wash., family. This is the second time Guidant has been a “House Sponsor” for the Rebuilding Together organization. Rebuilding Together’s mission is to preserve affordable housing by bringing volunteers and communities together to rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners.
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Employees from Guidant’s Appleton, Wisc., office participated in the The Sole Burner Run/Walk – an event put on by the American Cancer Society in Appleton. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.
On February 1, 2008 a group of Guidant Financial Group employees paid a visit to a local high school that has a unique program for teens with high functioning autism. One of the biggest challenges that these kids face is simple day-to-day interaction with other people in social situations. A great way to improve these skills is to watch themselves in mock scenarios or vignettes that the kids create themselves. The students also videotape these skits and edit them, using advanced editing software, to turn them into fun movies and skits to be reviewed later as a part of the learning process.
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The holidays were made a little merrier and brighter for the residents of Life Care Center of Puyallup, WA, when a group of Guidant employees paid a special Christmas visit to the facility on December 22. Life Care Center provides assisted living for seniors, particularly those in need of nursing assistance and medical care. Administrators and residents alike were especially grateful for the gifts and money personally delivered by Guidant staff, and those residents without family were markedly appreciative of the company Guidant staff-members provided during this particularly difficult time of year. The event, which was organized by Guidant’s Social Commitment Committee, included the singing of Christmas carols to residents outside their rooms.
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Guidant is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Outdoors For All Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting healthy, outdoor activities for children and adults with disabilities. Guidant’s contribution of $1350 will go towards the foundation’s charitable efforts throughout the Greater Puget Sound region. While perhaps best known for instruction in winter sports like snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross country and downhill skiing, Outdoors For All (formerly Ski For All) also provides instruction for other outdoor activities, including cycling, hiking, in-line skating, river rafting, canoeing and kayaking, day camps, water skiing, rock-climbing, and camping.
Guidant employees and their friends and family from our Appleton, Wisconsin, office raised over $1500 by participating in the October 3, 2007, American Cancer Society Walk. Guidant’s Social Commitment Committee matched the $1500, making the total donation to the American Cancer Society over $3000.
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Guidant’s Wisconsin office held their first annual food drive on October 30, 2007, and raised over $400 worth of food for the Salvation Army. By matching the $400, Guidant’s Social Commitment Committee brought the total contribution to the Salvation Army up to $800.
On November 18, 2007, 15 employees from Guidant’s Bellevue office participated in the Seattle Marathon by manning a water station, passing out water and Gatorade® to over 40,000 runners. Guidant also donated to the event by contributing $3000 to the University of Washington Medical Center Patient and Family Housing Fund. This fund provides local and affordable housing for transplant patients, their families and others who travel great distances for specialized medical care.
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Guidant kicked off September with the First Annual Golf Invitational that supported the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue, Wash. Guidant donated nearly $800 to the local organization.
Bellevue Boys and Girls Clubs are dedicated to enabling all young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Club programs and services promote the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.
Guidant is proud to be a “blue-level” sponsor of Connect Cheer Association, an organization dedicated to supporting healthy activities for children in our community. Connect Cheer and Guidant share a commitment to the values of teamwork, taking risks, sharing power, striving for common goals, and supporting others’ efforts.
Connect Cheer Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that supports the activities of all the Connect All-Star Cheer Teams. Connect All-Star Cheer is an award winning program for children of all ages and ability levels. The program’s competitive cheer routines are a high-energy combination of cheering, stunting, dance and gymnastics.
Pictures to come!
Employees in our Washington and Wisconsin offices kicked off the new school year in August with our 3rd annual School Supply Drive, filling over 30 backpacks with pens, pencils, notebooks and calculators to benefit children at the YWCA in our local communities.
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More than 25 Guidant employees participated in the 2007 Susan G. Komen Foundation's Race for the Cure in Seattle on June 16th. Guidant Employees and the SCC donated over $5500 to the foundation nearly tripling the amount contributed by Guidant in 2006.
Guidant also ranked as the second Highest Average Pledge per Participant in the corporate division!
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Because Guidant is committed to supporting and enriching the community in which we live in, we have chosen to become a "House Sponsor" for Rebuilding Together in 2007. Rebuilding Together is a non-profit organization dedicated to assuring that low-income homeowners live in warmth, safety and independence through maintaining and repairing homes. As a "House Sponsor," Guidant will be financially underwriting a standard project site. Guidant employees, friends and family will be volunteering on-site to work as a team in building community and contributing to housing preservation and revitalization.
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Guidant selected to team with the Seattle Chapter of SCORE, to support and encourage small businesses owners in the Great Seattle area.
In 2006, Guidant helped rebuild and launch SCORE’s website. With enhanced navigation and features to allow entrepreneurs easy access to online tools and information. These enhancements will help research, plan, finance, and open a small business or franchise. Both organizations believe working together will broaden the scope of resources available and more effectively match resources with prospective and existing small business owners. Guidant will continue to sponsor and maintain the Seattle SCORE website through 2007.
SCORE, is a national non-profit association dedicated to entrepreneurial education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses.
During the holiday season, Guidant employees graciously filled over 35 stocking with toys, clothes and surprises to help make the holidays brighter for underprivileged children.
In November employees participated in the 2nd annual company Thanksgiving food drive. By the end, 50 bags were filled with non-perishable items and were donated to NW Harvest so those less fortunate could enjoy a good meal.
Over 40 Guidant employees and family members participated in this 2007 event held at Quest Field in Seattle, WA. Guidant employees donated nearly $1500, and the company paid an additional $500 for a combined contribution of $2000.
Employees kicked off the new school year in September with the 2nd annual School Supply Drive, filling over 25 backpacks with pens, pencils, notebooks, calculators, etc., to benefit children in the local community.
22 Guidant employees and family members braved a rainy weekend to support the fight against cancer by participating in the American Cancer Society’s 24 hour Relay For Life event in 2006. Contributions totaled $1200 for the first year of participation.
Each year, Guidant employees sponsor local families through a giving tree. The giving tree was covered with ornaments (which had names, ages and gift wishes), all those wishes were fulfilled through wrapped gifts and monetary donations. Guidant helped many less fortunate families celebrate the season with a smile – and let them know there are those out there willing to lend an extra hand.
