If you’re an employee at AkzoNobel Decorative Paints North America, you’ve probably helped paint a classroom, donated school supplies or brought a new shine to a school playground. It’s just what you do when you work at AkzoNobel.
The paint company led by Bob Taylor, the company’s president and general manager, has more than two dozen volunteer initiatives that are supported through its community program.
When it’s a painting project, AkzoNobel typically donates all of the paint, stain, tools and materials for a project. Employees donate their time and energy, sometimes during the workday or on evenings and weekends. In 2011, employees in Greater Cleveland used nearly 700 gallons of paint and gave more than 2,300 hours of time to help make the lives of their neighbors a little bit better.
In some cases, the painting is about more than just freshening up a room with color. Studies have shown that certain colors in the classroom can be more conducive to learning and can help students perform better. A brochure helps volunteers work with the schools they’ve chosen to come up with a color scheme that best fits their room.
But not all the good will is spread with a brush. AkzoNobel has been a valuable contributor to area food pantries, including the Strongsville food bank. The company also raises more than $100,000 each year to support the United Way and took part in an effort to help the Cuyahoga Valley National Park rid an invasive plant species from its grounds.
It’s those personal connections made from neighbor to neighbor that make all the difference. When each person does their part, so much can be accomplished and that’s the mindset that AkzoNobel employees bring each day.
How to reach: AkzoNobel Decorative Paints North America, www.akzonobel.com/us
