A team effort: Supporting Dallas-area communities

04/13

TI's Worldwide Design & Sales Facilities (WWDSF) team is committed to supporting Dallas-area communities. In addition to coordinating two large-scale United Way "Days of Impact" volunteer events in 2012, WWDSF team members take on special projects throughout the year and encourage others to participate.

Last year, the WWDSF team conducted two "Days of Impact" events at Gabe P. Allen Elementary School. Allen Elementary is located in one of the most economically disadvantaged areas of Dallas.

In May, Bruce Willette, a Worldwide Facilities project manager, led a group of volunteers from the WWDSF team that improved the landscape at the school's entry using donated materials. Leaving no stone unturned, Bruce included the Dallas Independent School District painters in the effort. Under Bruce's direction, these painters and several TI volunteers improved the doors, eaves and soffits in the school's courtyard and at front of the building, and even painted the flag pole.

This volunteer event supported preparations for a United Way CEO Service Project led by TI CEO Rich Templeton last May. This first-of-its-kind "STEM in the Schoolyard" project involved about 40 CEOs and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings to encourage volunteerism from the top level down in North Texas companies that support the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.

In October, Christina Quinones-Kurzyniec, a TI project manager, led a volunteer team that painted a scale map of the United States on Allen Elementary's playground. This map enhances learning for the students while they are at play.

Other special projects

Over the years, the WWDSF team has taken on several other special volunteer projects as well.

In 2011, the team upgraded the administrative space for the Mi Escuelita Preschool in Dallas. In addition to developing a better space plan for the school's existing office area and adding much needed storage space, the team created a new visitor area and furnished it with donated modular furniture.

As part of a year-long project in 2009, the team worked with Camp Fire Girls USA and participated in two "Days of Impact" events. During the first event, team members from several Worldwide Facilities (WWF) teams cleared overgrown trees and shrubs and provided general maintenance support. At an event later in the year, WWF team members rebuilt a fence, upgraded landscaping and provided a general clean-up effort.

WWDSF team members also take on special projects and encourage others to participate.

Corey Sexton, a TI engineer, volunteers at Hamilton Park Elementary School, which is located near TI's South Campus. Several WWDSF team members volunteer with Corey, tutoring students at the school for one hour a week during an eight week session each semester.

Marcus Lockhart, who also works in WWF, leads a volunteer team to support the VNA's Meals on Wheels program. Each quarter, Marcus organizes a team of 12 volunteers who deliver a nutritious, hot, mid-day meal to Dallas County residents who are unable to provide or prepare their own meals due to illness, advanced age or disability.

TI employees Marge Namdar and Kevin Badgett led the WWDSF team's 2012 United Way fundraising efforts and brought outstanding results. The WWDSF team started the campaign with 65.9 percent participation, 10 leadership givers and $12,700 in pledges. At the end of the campaign, the team had 88.3 percent participation, 18 leadership givers and $23,400 in pledges.

"Our commitment to volunteerism as a group improves our day-to-day effectiveness as a team by building on the relationships developed in giving of ourselves to others," Marge said.

"Volunteering as a team definitely helps to promote teamwork and collaboration," Bruce said.

"Working together outside of the office gives us the opportunity to help others and get to know one another better. I have really enjoyed all of the time that I have been able to serve as a volunteer and looking forward to continuing to serve the community for years to come."