While we routinely award funding to many nonprofits across the country, there’s nothing quite like getting our hands dirty for a cause. When opportunities are identified to put a crew together to volunteer on-location, our passionate employee-owners jump at the chance to help.
Since 1980, ACCEL has been providing exceptional educational, behavioral, therapeutic and vocational programs to individuals with disabilities. The nonprofit has two educational campuses in Arizona — one in Phoenix and one in Tempe — that provide a welcoming, supportive environment for students to learn, work and be empowered to live with dignity and independence.
Sundt’s first major project for ACCEL was facilitated by Training & Development Manager Scott LaPoint, who gathered a team to demo a perimeter wall and gate in spring 2022.
“The students and instructors at the ACCEL campus had a running joke that the large wall and gate made the school look a bit like ‘jail,'” said Scott. “We wanted to help make the outside of the school match the welcoming energy of the inside. It was awesome hearing how excited the kids were when they returned to school after the long weekend to see the surprise that the ‘jail gates’ were gone!”
Later that same year, ACCEL welcomed Sundt back for a bigger project: preparing and constructing a new playground. To prepare for installation, the team dug out a foot of dirt to create space for mulch. Skilled builders from Sundt’s Industrial Group tackled the installation of the playground equipment, using their expertise to ensure the equipment was set up properly and safely. Another group of employee-owners got crafty and painted templates for interactive games like hopscotch on the sidewalks around the new space, as well as positive affirmations for the students on each wall. Finally, ramps were installed to make the playground area as accessible and inclusive as possible for students with a range of different abilities and needs.
Marketing Coordinator Lauren Beers, who participated in two of Sundt’s volunteer opportunities for ACCEL, had previously worked for the nonprofit as an intern. “This is an organization that is very near and dear to my heart, and I feel so lucky to have interned with ACCEL and witnessed firsthand the positive impact they are making on the lives of their students every day. I’m thrilled that I’m able to continue working with ACCEL through these hands-on volunteer activities.”
Throughout the years since our first volunteer activity, Sundt crews have been in and out of ACCEL’s campuses doing a variety of odd jobs, simply because our employee-owners saw a need they could fill. Other projects have included anything from shoveling woodchips for the playgrounds to demolishing a wall to open up ACCEL’s main lobby area, creating a more open and inviting space.
“We love partnering with groups like ACCEL because it gives us an opportunity to bring people together from different groups across the company. Those from the field, admin folks who are based in-office, and everyone in between comes together for an important cause,” said Project Director Jesse McDonald.
Jesse has led several efforts with ACCEL in the last year, and it’s become somewhat of a family affair for him. His son and his son’s friend have also come out a number of times to volunteer, and he said it’s instilled a strong work ethic and sense of purpose in them at an early age.
“When I think about who organizations like ACCEL are helping, I think about my own daughter. Fortunately, our school district has programs that met her needs, but if we were located in a different district, she would absolutely thrive in the kind of environment that ACCEL offers their students,” Jesse said.
To coordinate these volunteer events, Jesse M. works closely with Jessie B. — that is, Jessie Bustamante, ACCEL’s chief advancement officer. Jessie says that it’s a breath of fresh air to be able to rely on the consistency and trained skill from Sundt builders that ensures every detail of the job is done right. Safety is a key consideration for facilities that host children, especially kids with particular needs and abilities, so having the peace of mind that the work is being executed by professionals has been invaluable.
“All of the work Sundt has done for ACCEL has saved us thousands in equipment and labor over the years, on top of the generous grant checks we’ve received from the Sundt Foundation,” said Jessie. “But what has truly been the most meaningful is working side by side with some of the most amazing people and seeing our volunteer events filled up with red Sundt shirts. That consistency and willingness to show up time and time again to support our organization long-term is what means the most to us.”
Sundt volunteers will be tackling a third playground installment in November of this year. If you’d like to find out how you can support organizations like ACCEL, or apply to receive a grant for your nonprofit, visit the Sundt Foundation page for more information.