Mid-States Concrete recently gave team members an opportunity to give back to the community through the Stateline Community Foundation.
About 10 years ago, Mid-States Concrete Industries started what the Stateline Community Foundation refers to as an Acorn Fund with a $10,000 gift. From the growth in assets of the fund each year, the company earns a dividend/interest amount to be donated to charities of our choice. This year, Mid-States had $600 to disburse and at the last administrative team meeting offered team members a chance to put their name in a drawing for a chance to choose the deserving charities.
“Part of our purpose as a company is to help those who are in need within the Mid-States family, as well as our community-at-large,” said Hagen Harker, President of Mid-States Concrete Industries.
The winners of the drawing were Tracy Christianson, Preconstruction Support, and Tricia Goecks, Payroll Specialist. Each winner was allotted $300 to earmark for a charity of their choice.
“It is always so heartwarming to be able to donate to a charity that is close to your heart,” Tracy said.
Tracy chose to donate to The Wayward Society of Rockford. This organization provides in-home therapy for Autism to Tracy’s grandson.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to choose the charity,” Tracy said. “This organization only works based on donations and sponsors. They cannot bill insurance companies, so every donation is appreciated so much. They also do not charge the people that they help. They will accept any type of donation, but there is no actual charge ever. They are there to help anyone they are able to.”
Tricia chose to split her donation amount between two organizations: the Charles V. and Lois H. Harker Fund and the Students of Color Scholarship Fund.
“I think it is always important to give back to the community,” Tricia said. “In addition to helping our community, it strengthens our bonds to where we live, work, and play. Through volunteering and charitable giving, we support missions that are greater than ourselves.”
She selected the Harker Fund as a way to show gratitude to the Harker family for what they do for the Mid-States team, as well as for all their charitable giving and what they have done for the Beloit community.
Tricia selected the Students of Color Scholarship Fund because her grandchildren are biracial and she has seen firsthand the education setbacks her grandchildren have had because of the pandemic-related school shutdowns.
“I believe the pandemic had a significantly more detrimental impact on minority students,” Tricia said. “I am concerned that the ripple effect of the school shutdowns will be felt for decades, especially in the minority communities. I wanted to be able to support other minority students who do not have a support system at home like our grandchildren do.”
While previously disbursement of funds had been determined by a select group from leadership and the team’s involvement committee, it was important for Mid-States to open the opportunity to others this year.
“The importance is two-fold,” Hagen said. “We live our purpose statement. We can see it in action and we share the feeling of hard work and ownership.”