This fall, the PSI Gives team fully embraced the meaning of the season by participating in multiple volunteer efforts to support central Ohio throughout the holidays. From Dancing with the Columbus Stars, to packing meals for families in need, the team made it a priority to give thanks, and give back.

About Byron Saunders Foundation

Leading up to Thanksgiving, PSI partnered with the Byron Saunders Foundation, a nonprofit fueled 100 percent by volunteer support. Founded by President & CEO Brian Wollenberg, the Foundation works to feed thousands of Ohio families during Thanksgiving. We spoke with Brian to learn more about the goals of the Foundation, and how PSI Gives has helped the organization to reach its goals this year.

“I started the Foundation because I always wanted to give back and it was in my heart,” said Brian. “I just never knew exactly what it was, until I met a lady named Marty Muncy that did Adopt A Family in Groveport. We became good friends and it was her idea to try Thanksgiving.”

Since its inception 25 years ago, backed by contributions from area businesses like PSI, the Foundation has been able to feed over 30,000 families. During the holiday months, the need for assistance to families tends to increase. For 2023 the Foundation’s goal was to reach over 5,000 families, following an impactful 2022 when the nonprofit supported 4,945 families.

Partnering with PSI Gives

It is with community support through volunteer time, food and monetary donations that the Foundation is able to positively impact a significant amount of families each year.

“We connected with Monica [Dominic, PSI Chief Client Officer] through the Dancing with the Columbus Stars Event, which is Byron Saunders Foundation’s main fundraising event,” said Brian. 

Monica partnered with professional dance instructor Colton Hutton at the event, surpassing their competition with 22,781 total votes from the vast audiences. The event featured food, dancing, and fundraising opportunities to benefit the Byron Saunders Foundation.

“Through the help of community partners, I was able to raise almost $23,000,” said Monica.

Building Thanksgiving Meals for Families

Following Dancing with the Columbus Stars, the team came together to further support the Foundation by building boxes to feed families of four for Thanksgiving. These boxes also included a $20 Kroger gift card to go towards the purchase of a turkey. Brian explained that the partnership with PSI Gives assisted in more ways than one, such as added awareness, volunteering, and fundraising.

“When a business like PSI is volunteering it’s so supportive,” Brian said. “It supports us with our process and brings their team together, creating amazing results.”

During their coordinated volunteer time, PSI assisted with sorting of inventory and making meals. Individuals interested in contributing to the Byron Saunders Foundation outreach efforts are encouraged to connect with Brian Wallenberg to discuss opportunities. Current openings include board and committee member positions, amongst others.

“It’s also great to have a conversation and see how involved you may want to be,” said Brian. “We are always looking for volunteers.” For more information on how you can make a positive impact this holiday season and help families in need, visit www.thebyronsaundersfoundation.org.

PSI Gives Community Outreach Team volunteered at the COSI Science Festival downtown Columbus May 4^th– 7^th, which featured an exciting variety of events at multiple locations the community. 

“You’ve heard of an art festival, a wine festival, probably even the macaroni and cheese festival – but this is the first science festival!” exclaimed Jessica Body, COSI Director of Major Gifts. “The first three days, partners of all kinds, invited adults and youth alike to learn how fascinating STEM topics, organizations, and careers can be.” 

Over 100 partners from school clubs to NASA made an appearance at the Big Science Celebration on the final day of the festival to showcase how science shows up in almost everything we do. 

The PSI volunteer team supported the ZeroWaste initiative, which is the diversion of 90% of discarded material from the landfill through reuse, recycling, and composting. PSI helped COSI to serve tens of thousands of people in a way that was cognizant of impact and authentic to the organization’s values.

Service-Oriented Leadership

“PSI comes to COSI without ego, and with service-oriented leadership,” said Body. “PSI volunteers get done what needs to get done – even when it’s not an action that provides great public recognition or is a glamorous job!” 

The goals of the event were to increase exposure and access to science and teach participants of all ages that science is fun and important in our daily lives. In conjunction with local governments, schools, private and nonprofit organizations around the world, attendees were able to experience awe and contribute to research.  

“The Columbus Science Festival was meant to expose Central Ohio to how STEM is part of everyone’s everyday lives and activities,” commented Monty Ragland, PSI President and COO. “As an organization whose focus is delivering technology subject matter expertise, our partnership with COSI and it’s STEM workforce development efforts is a perfect match.”

A Lasting Partnership

PSI helped the COSI team build some of their first Learning Lunchboxes when the organization closed due to the pandemic. The Learning Lunchboxes are one of COSI’s most critical and impactful ways to reach students beyond the building. 

“The impact and engagement of these STEM events will be amplified by the distribution of COSI Learning Lunchbox education kits,” said Boyd. 

Learning Lunchboxes are interactive science kits filled with all supplies needed for five fun STEM activities and additional exciting learning resources. Fun for the whole family and perfect for school-age learners, all Learning Lunchbox content is aligned with national learning guidelines and standards.

About PSI Gives 

PSI proudly encourages our full-time team members and contract IT talent to support our community in volunteer activities throughout the year. 

“We encourage all of our team members to join in community outreach efforts,” stated Monica Dominic, PSI Vice President of Client Success. “Traditionally, PSI closes the office for a half day to allow team members to participate on service days.” 

In order to ensure everyone has the ability to participate without conflicting with client needs, PSI also schedules weekend volunteer events.  

“Our contractors started expressing interest in supporting the community, so we made it happen,” said Dominic. “We arranged a Saturday service day and allowed any of our contractors to come support. It was a hit and will be done again. Be on the lookout for the next weekend volunteer opportunity and make sure to express your interest!”

Community Responsibility is a continuing commitment by PSI to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of our workforce and their families as well as of our local community and society at large through the “PSI Gives” Program.

PSI celebrated spring this year in true community fashion by collaborating with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, a long time PSI Gives partner. Families involved with the Ronald McDonald House have one or more children undergoing care at the nearby Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The PSI team had the pleasure of serving the families at the organization a well-rounded meal through the Team Cuisine Program. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio is located across the street from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The facility, staff, and volunteers at Ronald McDonald House provide free accommodations and food for families whose children are patients at the hospital. Their services allow parents who are far from home to stay close to their hospitalized child and benefit from the comforts of home without incurring hotel and food costs. “By partaking in our Team Cuisine Program, PSI has helped the Program grow more and even better,” said Blair Arms, Chef of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. “They provided a great meal for the families and for that RMHC is very grateful for their partnership and support of Team Cuisine.” By providing a meal and place to stay for the families, Ronald McDonald House hopes to relieve some of the stress parents and siblings are experiencing by absorbing a portion of the responsibilities and costs that can be incurred when away from home. “We do not charge the families staying at RMHC,” said Blair. “The goal is to help them in any way we can so that they can focus on their child in the hospital.” During their time at the organization the PSI team planned a meal for Team Cuisine volunteers. They prepped, cooked, and served the lunch to family participants including tuna melts, grilled cheese, and soup. “The RMDH is an awesome organization in Columbus, Ohio and is actually the second largest in the country,” said Monica Dominic, PSI Vice President of Customer Success. “Knowing that we can help families who need some extra love, attention, and compassion falls right in line with what PSI employees aim to do through PSI Gives. PSI is all about supporting the community that has supported us. We want to help organizations in need in our community and we are fortunate that there are so many wonderful ones to choose from.” During previous volunteer opportunities with Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio, PSI has helped clean and ready rooms for incoming families. Sometime in April the team will be returning to make “Snack Packs” for the families. This allows participants to grab a quick bite and bring it with them to their room or to the hospital. “I have two goals that I always try to achieve [through volunteer events],” said Blair. “The first one is to provide a delicious meal for the families, and the second one is to teach a volunteer something new in the kitchen that they can utilize at home. I believe both goals were met.” RMHC provides more than 1.4 million overnight stays each year, helping families save nearly over $443 million in lodging and meal expenses. RMHC believes it is the diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences that each member of the global organization brings to the table everyday that allow the organization to provide the care and support that children and their families need. Additional services the nonprofit provides include Ronald McDonald Family Room programs, which offer a quiet respite for all families right in the hospital, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile programs, which bring fundamental medical and dental care to underserved communities. RMHC believes that no family should have to deal with their child’s medical crisis alone. Participation with RMHC can make a big difference whether it’s holding a fundraiser for the global organization or volunteering with the Central Ohio chapter. Community responsibility is a continuing commitment by PSI to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of our workforce and their families as well as of our local community through the “PSI Gives” Program. If your organization is in need of volunteer support, contact info@psi92.com today. “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” -Muhammad Ali.  

In August the PSI team traveled down to IMPACT Community Action in central Columbus to help distribute fresh produce to community members in need. IMPACT Community Action’s mission is “to fight poverty by providing hope-inspiring help and real opportunities for self-sufficiency.”

IMPACT’s call to action is the “ripple effect” — the repercussions of an event or situation experienced far beyond its immediate location. Moreover, IMPACT’s brand identity was inspired by the following quote from Senator Robert F. Kennedy …

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

At the community produce market PSI had the pleasure of working alongside several inspiring, dedicated IMPACT team members who shared with us what drives them to serve their mission. “At IMPACT we are all about the ripple effect and in this sense it is to make sure all the people in our community are eating,” commented Cherokee Smith, IMPACT Team Member. We are all about helping our community.” Cherokee’s focus with IMPACT is workforce development which can include a myriad of services such as coaching students though school, helping someone to get a license, providing access to work scrubs – whatever a community member needs who is involved in an IMPACT program Cherokee advocates for. IMPACT provides a variety of programs to build up youth and young adults in the community through workforce development. For example, one program is a three-week course teaching critical skills and techniques to help restored citizens re-enter society, reduce recidivism and confront significant barriers to self-sufficiency. Another example is the Roads2Work program which provides participants the opportunity to earn the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training Program. This program offers certified driver and life skills training, one-on-one coaching with a self-sufficiency coordinator, and other supportive services. As part of PSI’s give-back mission, we strive to elevate our community by spreading information and opportunities within the field of technology. By partnering with IMPACT on the community market, we had the opportunity to nourish families with healthy produce, and have those conversations about the various avenues individuals can go down through technology. IMPACT actually has an IT program which is a great opportunity for eligible Franklin County residents seeking to enter the IT field. Through the partnership of IMPACT Community Action and Pyramid CDC. Community Responsibility is a continuing commitment by PSI to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of our workforce and their families as well as of our local community and society at large through the “PSI Gives” Program. “Without our volunteers we wouldn’t be able to serve the community,” said Kevin Jones, IMPACT team member. “It matters no matter who you are. We are glad to have everybody be a part of this project with us. We serve over 2,500 people a month.” To get an inside look on PSI on location spreading volunteerism, check out the video footage: https://youtu.be/AmZh-VDQvYo .

How can corporate philanthropy help nonprofits? Money and staff are the two things that nonprofits have a consistent need for. Unfortunately, the majority of nonprofits don’t have the budget to sustain large paychecks or bonuses and often don’t have the capital to complete the projects and goals for the year. It then goes without saying that they don’t have the profit to sustain large paychecks so employees are often hard to attract and/or keep. When companies adopt an organization it often relieves some stress on staff or the budget. Corporate philanthropy allows the nonprofit to extend farther and help more.

1. It allows employees to spend some time giving back to a nonprofit and build internal synergy.
2. It gives the corporation the opportunity to showcase what it does for the community and where it provides help.
3. It helps to build the brand by showing that it is not just about words or dollars, but about outreach and support.
4. The more companies that take the actionable step of doing, show other companies that it can and should be done.
5. Clients like knowing the dollars they spend get funneled back into helping local charities.
6. Having a greater purpose, especially one that aligns with an individual’s values, is a reason for choosing one employer over another.

Community outreach is about giving, contributing, and helping those who cannot help themselves. Community outreach also allows us to influence younger generations to step outside of their comfort zone, develop new skills, and learn to give back to their community. The PSI Gives initiative is dedicated to enhancing the field of technology by educating youth, spreading awareness, and growing our community. Throughout the course of the pandemic, nonprofits and community members struggled with societal restrictions and economic setbacks. The need for community service and giving by those who were able was extensive. Like many, COSI [Center of Science and Industry], an admired local nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and transforming lives through science, technology, and industry learning, shut its doors in conjunction with COVID-19 regulations. As a hands-on science center, COSI struggled with how to continue providing valuable services to patrons in a remote digital age. One of the ways the COSI team – limited as a result of pandemic cutbacks – combatted the challenge was through COSI Connects. This program launches audiences of all ages into a universe of science through online videos and activities, plus a free mobile app that enables science exploration even when offline. COSI Connects is helping to bridge the digital divide, promote digital literacy, and address critical science education needs simultaneously. Another way is through the creation of educational lunch boxes. The COSI “Learning Lunchbox” is a resource kit filled with hands-on science activities provided to children in need. The lunchbox was designed to feed young minds in Columbus during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. “These boxes can go to a variety of places,” said Kevin Seymour, Manager of Curbside COSI. “Some can be purchased online, some will go to schools that are in need of the free curriculum, and some will go in the Curbside COSI van. Our team is significantly smaller than pre-pandemic, so we are working off of a fraction of the manpower that we had before. We just can’t do them on our own, so having community partners come in to help build these and help construct part of them significantly helps in how many we can get out to the community.” Community responsibility is a continuing commitment by PSI as a way to enhance the field of technology by providing education for youth to learn and grow through STEM. It is our goal to bring awareness to the vast number of opportunities in the technology field and improve the quality of life of our workforce and our local community through the PSI Gives initiative. Assisting the local science center as they worked with limited resources to positively impact children in need throughout the course of the pandemic was a no-brainer for PSI. “Most of these lunchboxes are science lessons that are coordinated with the state department of education so that they fall right in line with lesson plans, which is really relevant for young kids that are just trying to stay interested, and going to school remote right now,” said Monty Ragland, PSI Vice President, Client Delivery. “And one of the things that we have to be involved in – that all companies have to be involved in, is making sure that we’re helping to educate young people and get them interested in science, technology, engineering, and math.” With the help of community partners like PSI Gives, COSI has helped thousands of children stay involved and learn despite the challenges of the last year. As more organizations get involved, The Lunch Box program has the potential to reach children nationwide. Through community service we are connected to the community we live in and have the unique opportunity to make it a better place for all. It is our hope that we can make an impact, however big or small, and improve the lives of those around us by providing opportunities for youth to learn, and talent to grow. “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – Coretta Scott King Check out the event on our YouTube Channel!