For over 70 years, Chester Inc. has been redefining Architecture, Construction, Technology, and Agriculture. Everyone at Chester Inc. holds the belief that success is measured not only by growth, recognition, and the services offered, but by the persistence of every Chester employee to serve the communities they work and live in. One way to fulfill this capacity for serving is by donating to local charitable organizations and non-profits. Chester Inc. partners with numerous such organizations.
“We’ve held on to the philosophy of our founding fathers, Orville Redenbacher and Charles Bowman,” said Rich Shields, Director of Marketing & Business Development for Chester Inc. “They understood what it means to give back and why it matters.”
Among the many organizations Chester Inc. partners with are United Way of Porter County, Opportunity Enterprises, and Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities (NEO) Adult Education programs, which provides free resources and learning prospects to those who may not have completed their high school degrees or are learning English as their second languages.
Chester Inc. has worked steadily with United Way for the last 35 years.
“We’re actually acting as a Pacesetter for United Way,” Shields said. “We’re helping them start their annual campaign earlier than they normally would.”
Chester Inc. features 100 percent employee contribution to United Way, meaning that every single employee donates a certain amount of money every year to the organization. Whether a certain amount is taken from each paycheck or the employee makes a donation of their own volition, each staff member’s contribution makes its way to United Way, where it in turn benefits the more than 30 different agencies United Way serves in the community.
In addition, Chester Inc. donates to Housing Opportunities and Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of NWI, so that community members struggling to afford a home have low-income choices or shelter, and patients facing terminal illness have the care and comfort they deserve. Chester Inc. also invests in the future of the community by making donations to Ancilla College, Andrean Schools, and Ivy Tech Community College, and many more.
“It’s important to acknowledge that there are those less fortunate than we are, and it’s just as important to make sure that the people from these agencies designed to help those in need are equipped to do their jobs,” Shields said. “We’ve been a part of this community for over 70 years now, and we want to give back to it as much as we can. That’s an act that we cherish.”
