Small Group, Big in Spirit

Charter Communications’ Southern Wisconsin Retail Store team partnered with a local nonprofit in September 2015 to help a homeowner who is battling cancer. It was a small group, but big in spirit.

Their assignment: Applying a coat of paint to outside trim.

Madison and Janesville Charter our Community volunteers worked with Project Home on this effort. The organization assists approximately 600 households each year with a variety of no-cost and low-cost home improvement programs for residents in South Central Wisconsin.

“Doing this project as a team is a great way to give back to the community and we can enjoy each others’ company outside of work,” said Tori Tomas-Haarstick, store manager. Tomas-Haarstick’s son Teran, a junior in high school, joined the group since he’s working toward a white cord to wear on graduation day which symbolizes achievements in community service.

Retail Store Supervisor Deb Haukom said she’s always wanted to get involved with a group that does home repairs, but never knew where to go. So when the opportunity came up with her co-workers she was ready.

 

It’s Personal

For Charter Retail Store Lead Brandy Fjalstad, this project was personal. “I lost my mother to cancer four years ago. So when I heard this homeowner was struggling with cancer I really wanted to help.”

A sense of selfless giving and teamwork was evident as volunteers grabbed their brushes and paired off to tackle different aspects of the project. Within four hours, the painting was finished. The team went above and beyond the call of duty by cleaning out the home’s gutters and even feeding the chickens.

“If we’re not part of the change in our communities it won’t happen,” said Debra Dent, store lead for Charter’s Janesville location. “We need to drive change to improve our communities.”

 

Volunteers are all smiles at the end of the day

Divide and conquer was the Charter Communications' volunteer team motto for the day

This effort, done with Project Home, required multiple teams to tackle different jobs - Charter's job was to apply the second coat of exterior trim paint

Charter Communications volunteer - and project lead - Tori is pleased with the group’s accomplishments

Charter Communications volunteer Ari paints with precision

Charter Communications volunteers Ari and Brandy were asked if they’d be willing to feed the homeowner’s chickens. No problem!

Charter our Community volunteers pose for a group photo

A volunteer touches up the garage

Charter Communications volunteer Jeff noticed the home’s gutters were full of debris so he took time to clean them out

The home’s overhang required a new coat of paint, too.

Volunteers smile for the camera!