Edwards is committed to the community. Philanthropy, community involvement, and people working together is paramount in making communities stronger.
We believe Community Connection is Vital, so much so, that it is one of the company’s four core values.
________
Each year, Edwards chooses a major organization to support based on employee input. Walks, fundraisers, or preparing meals – Edwards employees support the community and it’s people.
Since the beginning, Founder, Steve Edwards has given his time to local organizations and encouraged employees to participate in their community.
Our Charitable Matching Program matches employee contributions, donating corporate money to support philanthropic activities and non-profits. But, our contribution doesn’t stop with a check; we volunteer in our community as a group and individually.
Founded in 2013, the EC Partnership works with local business and community leaders. After two devastating floods, Main Street was closed for months to repair the damage. EC Partnership worked to support local business owners and help shops reopen.
Let’s continue to show our support and help the businesses become more successful than before.
Get involved; visit their website for more information.
ECStrong 5k
—
In July 2016, Main Street Ellicott City was devastated by a flash flood. Sidewalks were uprooted and businesses destroyed. Shortly after the flood, local running group, the Elkridge Pavement Pounders put together a 5k run in support of Main Street and the rebuilding efforts. The run was such a success, they planned to make it an annual event.With a second flood in May 2018, the annual fundraiser to support the Ellicott City Partnership became even more critical to rebuilding the community.
Being so close to our home offices, Edwards has sponsored the 5k since its inception and continues to invest in the Ellicott City community. For more information about Ellicott City and the ECStrong5k, please visit their website.
Their facility maintains 18 beds for men, 33 family rooms, and 24 hour crisis hotline support. Their center is also connected to the suicide prevention line and hosts more calls than any center in the United States. Grassroots serves approximately 50 people three meals daily and is always accepting food and household item donations; as well as gift cards for gas, grocery stores, and Walmart/Target.
For more information on how you can join Edwards in supporting Grassroots, please visit their website.
Service in Action
—
To date, Edwards has sponsored cookouts, meals, and pantry item collection for the residents, as well as their holiday drive. We deliver meals to the 55+ residents of Grassroots 1-2 times each quarter. Sometimes we host a BBQ – shopping, preparing, and serving the meal; and sometimes, we purchase ready to serve pot pie or other prepared food for their kitchen staff to serve.We also offer Casual Friday – allowing employees to wear jeans to the office with a $5 donation. All funds collected are either donated directly to Grassroots or used to fund our meal delivery.
For more than 90 years, United Way of Central MD has improved MD communities – supporting their residents through educational programs, donations, and life changing services. From meal preparation, fun runs, career support, and family events, to a 2-1-1 helpline. United Way also partners with agencies and smaller non-profits to expand their reach.
This year, our employees will participate in a variety of their hands on volunteer events. Join us and get involved today!
Summer Send Off
—
In May 2018, Edwards collected items for United Way’s Summer Send Off. This program provides students in United Way’s On Track for Success program with fun, educational, and recreational goodies to take home at the end of the school year. Employees made donations of items from a predetermined list or donated money toward a shopping trip to collect outstanding treats.School Supply Drive
—
Edwards participated in United Way’s annual school supply drive in August 2018. This program works with the community to collect materials and supplies for ~2,500 underprivileged students across Maryland schools. This year, Edwards helped supply 125 backpacks (stuffed with supplies) to Cradlerock Elementary School in Columbia, MD, where over 50% of the school population qualifies for free and reduced meals.Day of Action
—
United Way’s Day of Action is an annual event offering 40+ opportunities to volunteer and serve the community, divided by county. This year the event fell on October 4, 2018 and Edwards’ employees volunteered at four different service locations – collecting trash, reading to children, painting, and produce collection projects.
As a Baltimore based not for profit, Building STEPS provides a breadth of programming to ensure college completion and career success, all through a STEM lens. Building STEPS empowers students to realize their potential and achieve success.
Edwards' employees volunteer with Building STEPS through workshops, internship fairs, and mentoring events to educate and prepare students for career readiness.
Blossoms of Hope started as a beautification project to bring cherry trees to Howard County to give back to the community in a meaningful way, but as the organization has expanded, they have looked to other avenues to help support their community.
Edwards' sponsors various Blossoms of Hope community events that allow for funding of various beautification projects and monetary donations for charitable organizations.
Veterans are given the opportunity to learn from the horses and contribute to service-oriented projects in a rural environment – building relationships with the horses and their fellow veterans. The ranch also offers holistic health workshops to encourage exercise, reflection, learning, and play.
Edwards provides an annual monetary sponsorship to give back to our veterans, leveraging hands on application for socialization and PTSD support through activities. We are proud to support them and their work in the veteran community as a sponsor this year. For more information on Restoration Ranch and their mission, please visit their website.