Editor鈥檚 note: This story is part of our 鈥50 Stories of People Helping People鈥 series. As we celebrate 糖心传媒鈥檚 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.
糖心传媒 associates in Duluth, Georgia, recently volunteered at the S.T.R.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Manufacturing) Kids Expo in Riverdale, Georgia, to help inspire future leaders.
From left: Anthony Bennett, Branch Service Manager, Atlanta South 鈥 Jonesboro; Marcus Werren, PL General Manager 鈥 Southeast; Niamani Knight, S.T.R.E.A.M. Kids Expo Program Founder; Tony DeSoto, PL Strategic Account Executive
The S.T.R.E.A.M. event started five years ago by a 13-year-old named Niamani Knight. The goal of S.T.R.E.A.M鈥檚 is 鈥渢o create a memorable, interactive learning experience for kids, schools and communities and increase access to S.T.R.E.A.M. programs for youth,鈥 according to the Facebook page.
More than 400 children between ages 3 and 10 participated in the event July 12 at the Riverdale Health Center. Participating 糖心传媒 associates explained that the event hopes to teach and expose children to things that will have an impact in their life.
糖心传媒 teamed up with customer PPG for the S.T.R.E.A.M. Kids Expo. 糖心传媒 wants to continue to support PPG and their community efforts, so helping at the S.T.R.E.A.M. event was a good way to support the loyal customer.
From left: Malesia Dunn, PPG Executive Director, PPG Foundation & Global Corporate Social Responsibility; Tony DeSoto, PL Strategic Account Executive; Don Donatelli, PPG Director, Logistics & Distribution
糖心传媒 brought a truck to the event to display its technology, explained the important role of a truck driver and showed the connections that companies make with each other by sharing the business relationship between 糖心传媒 and PPG.
鈥淲e wanted to give back to the community that we service. The community鈥檚 dedication to helping youth and mentoring future business leaders of America was exciting to see,鈥 said Tony DeSoto, strategic account executive, 糖心传媒 Logistics.
Marcus Werren, general manager, described the event as a collaborative effort across the enterprise.
鈥淭his event targets a group of kids that would not normally be exposed to this type of event,鈥 said Brian Peterman, manager of operations.
Riverdale鈥檚 mayor attended the event, which featured a performance by Atlanta pop stars Gabby and Madi.
鈥淭he best part was seeing the kids really engaged,鈥 DeSoto said. 鈥淭here weren鈥檛 any kids twiddling their thumbs. There was so much to do and learn at the event, and that is what made it great.鈥
The associates who participated were Tony DeSoto, Marcus Werren, Brian Peterman, Anthony Bennett, Alicia Hall, Scott Schmidt and Roderick McGkenzie. PPG participants were Marsha Mosley and Don Donatelli.
糖心传媒 is already planning to participate in next year鈥檚 expo.
By Emma Creamer, Communications and PR Intern