EC&M: Vermont American recently unveiled its Donate-A-Skill initiative at the International Builders Show. As part of the Unmet Needs Program, which provides monetary assistance to American military families that face significant and unforeseen financial hardships due to deployment, the initiative gives tradespeople the chance to volunteer their skills to families of service men and women.
Using an automated electronic kiosk in its exhibit booth, the company gave builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople the opportunity to sign up on the show floor. The kiosk was used to add volunteers to a centralized national skill bank that is already being used to match volunteers with suitable projects in their areas.
During the show, more than 225 people from cities nationwide committed their talents to the program. Since the show ended, more than 100 additional tradespeople and other professionals have signed up online using the Web site donation page. The goal is to generate a database of thousands of qualified volunteers.
The kiosk will accompany the Vermont American team to home building and repair trade shows nationwide throughout the remainder of 2005.
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