Commute Another Way Day

For the third year we are participating as a company in the State's Commute Another Way Day.  It's suprising how challenging it is to convince people to try ride sharing or biking to work for even a day.  The good news is that each year we are able to sign up more and more participants. 

With the perpetual high cost of gas and the obvious impact on our climate, driving "smartly" should be encouraged.  We are thinking about an incentive program to reduce the number of cars that drive our employees to work every day and clog up our streets and limited parking.

Construction Has A Softer Side

It gives me great pleasure to pass on this story of a Wright-Ryan Good Samaritan.
A Mr. Paul Walton of Portland Awards & Recognition, whom I have done business with in the past, called to relay an experience he had today with a Wright-Ryan employee:
Mr. Walton sustained an injury which has confined him to crutches making it near impossible to walk much less get in and out of his vehicle.  Walton frequently stops at a convenience store in Falmouth to get the newspaper.  Typically Walton will ask passersby to get him a newspaper when they are in the store.  Today, Walton asked a Wright-Ryan employee driving a WR white van, if he would mind purchasing the newspaper for him.  Our employee said he would be happy to.  When our employee returned with the newspaper, Walton attempted to give him money for the paper.  Our employee placed the money on Walton's dash and said, "Let me do something nice for you."  Mr. Walton was speechless and couldn't wait to pass on this terrific story.  Mr. Walton's comment was, "If this guy is reflective of the type of people that work at Wright-Ryan, you have one hell of a great company."  The driver of the white Wright-Ryan van was none other than Mr. Richard Poulin.
Hats off to Richard for the positive company image he portrayed in this generous and courteous act.

Belfast Project Moving Right Along

I recently visited the Residence at Tall Pines assisted living facility in Belfast.  The project consists of 34,000 square feet and 30 units total with a breakdown of 16 congregate and 14 assisted units.  The building will contain a small rehabilitation center, beauty salon, full commercial kitchen and two dining rooms.  Because of the products selected (steel, gypsum, vinyl siding, pvc trim and fire-rated wood material) the building is virtually non-combustible which was important to the owner.  During the course of my visit, there were 20 roof trusses up within a two hour period!  The project was designed by CWS Architects and is scheduled to be complete in late spring 2006.

Katrina Efforts by Employees

The WR Katrina Relief effort brought in the follow monies:
Employee Contributions:  $3,390
Company Match:  $2,500
Corporate Contribution:  $1,000
Total collected for Katrina Relief Efforts:  $6,890!

Relief agencies contribution made to:
American Red Cross of Southern Maine
Catholic Charities of Maine
Habitat for Humanity
Humane Society
Thanks to everyone for this tremendous outpouring of support.