Founded more than 150 years ago, The Westfield Group has a long-established presence in its community. And the company is working on establishing a long history of community service, as well.
This year, the insurance agency invested nearly $600,000 in organizations it believes make the community a better place to live and work. Its list of community efforts and contributions continues to grow every year.
“I think that our employees are a pretty kind group of people,” says Westfield CEO Robert Joyce. “A lot of the employees realize that we need to take a leadership position in the community.”
As the largest employer in Medina County, the company’s employees understand the importance and see the impact of Westfield’s community service and donations.
The company has supported Habitat for Humanity by giving employees the opportunity to participate on “Westfield Wednesdays.” Westfield provides transportation and lunch for employee volunteers, as well as financial support for the project. Over the past five years, more than 800 employees have hammered, plastered and painted to help provide families with new homes.
The company also continues its close partnership with United Way as both a financial and volunteer contributor. Employee pledges and Westfield’s $50,000 company match brought this year’s total contribution to more than $114,000.
The company will also donate $500,000 over a five-year period to the building of a new university in Medina County. This learning center will provide career education and training through a partnership among education, business and community leaders in Medina County, and The University of Akron, which will staff, own and operate the facility.
The company reached even deeper into its pockets this fall to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. It initially donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross before matching another $40,000 raised by employees.
Joyce said the company knew it needed to go above and beyond its projected annual giving amount to help with the unexpected tragedy. The company went a step further by giving additional money to employees whose family members were directly impacted by the hurricane.
Westfield’s Business Continuity team also donated 10 satellite phones to the Medina County Emergency Management Agency to provide an alternate means of communication in the event that cell phones or other technologies are not available.
HOW TO REACH: The Westfield Group, www.westfieldgrp.com
