The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) has received its first grant from the Sundt Foundation: $5,000 to support hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) research and treat children with the disease. TSRHC is a leading pediatric care center specializing in the treatment of orthopedic conditions, related neurological disorders and learning disorders like dyslexia. The hospital established a one-of-a-kind pediatric HSP clinic in August 2012 that focuses on devising and implementing new programs to meet the complex needs of patients and their families.
“Sundt Foundation members in Texas chose to fund this organization because of the great work they do, and to support one of our senior project managers,” said Abby Shaver, the Foundation board member who represents Texas. “His daughter was diagnosed with HSP shortly after birth and she undergoes continuous research and treatment at the TSRHC. The hospital is currently treating 115 children from all over Texas in many of the cities where Sundt works, including El Paso, Fort Worth, Wichita Falls and San Antonio.”
The Sundt Foundation was established in 1999 by Sundt Construction, Inc., as a way for its employee-owners to give back to the communities in which they work. In addition to sponsoring volunteer activities, the Foundation distributes grants every quarter. The money to fund those grants is raised primarily through contributions from Sundt employees, which are then matched dollar-for-dollar by the company.
Since its inception the Foundation has made grants totaling more than $5 million to hundreds of worthy organizations. Approximately 75 percent of the money goes to help disadvantaged children, with the remaining 25 percent is dedicated to community issues. Most grants are awarded in communities where Sundt has an established office or major project underway. Employees can also earmark their donations for charitable organizations that benefit members of the military and their families.