“Through a collaborative team effort we were able to create an ‘end product’ that brightened the day of folks dealing with daily adversities.”

The day before Christmas, American Crane & Equipment employees diligently worked together to fill and decorate over 170 backpacks with candy, snacks, hot drink mixes, stationery and toiletries. The items that filled these backpacks were donated by American Crane and its vendors and were delivered to the Reading YMCA Transitional Housing Programs. In addition to the backpack contents, vendors also donated cash, children’s toys, clothes, diapers, and other baby and toddler products in support of the programs.

The Reading YMCA Transitional Housing Programs were created in 1998 to help homeless men and women recover from substance use disorder and achieve self-sufficiency. The 11 transitional housing programs accommodate approximately 24 children, 30 women and 120 men; many of whom are homeless, recovering from substance use disorder, or escaping domestic violence. These housing programs also aid homeless veterans and men and women transitioning between treatment centers/prisons and independent living. “Receiving the gifts donated by these vendors gave every single resident of the Housing Programs a gift to open on Christmas morning; and to a group of individuals who often feel isolated and stigmatized, this shows that there are a multitude of people that care and want the best for them,” said Ryan Herrera, Assistant Director of the YMCA Housing Programs.

This team-centered activity took place during American Crane’s annual employee holiday luncheon and training day, December 24th. “Each year we provide employees with a meal, training, and a light-hearted activity designed to promote ‘team spirit’, but this year we achieved so much more,” said Karen Norheim, Executive Vice President of American Crane & Equipment Corporation. “Through a collaborative team effort we were able to create an ‘end product’ that brightened the day of folks dealing with daily adversities.”

American Crane & Equipment Corporation extends a big “THANK YOU” to the vendors who donated these gifts. This list includes: Aerotek Commercial Staffing, Assurant Employee Benefits, Briggs & Associates Inc., Brown Transmission & Bearing Co., Delta Dental, Diamond Credit Union, Goodman Vending, Highmark, Phoenix Safety Optical, Reading Eagle, Rumsey and Rite Aid. “Your kind and generous contributions not only helped to support a great initiative, such as the YMCA housing program, but made a direct impact on the lives of over 170 people!” said Norheim.