Viewpoint: Giving Thanks

It’s hard to believe that it is already November, and time to look back at 2018 with our annual Year in Review. But November is also a time for looking back at the past year and giving thanks. Personally, I am thankful for all the support I have received from throughout the industry during my first year editing Outdoor Power Equipment magazine. I am also thankful for the OPE industry as a whole, and the continued efforts of those in this industry to help those in need. I know I will undoubtedly be leaving out many more examples of people and companies in this industry who have given time, effort, support, equipment, charitable donations and more to help others, but I want to at least draw attention to some of the news that has come across my desk this year that highlights the amazing efforts of those in our industry.

  • Husqvarna partnered with Men Against Breast Cancer for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Husqvarna helped drive awareness for the non-profit and its mission as a supporting organization for men whose families are affected by breast cancer and donate to their cause.
  • Fisher Engineering also supported Breast Cancer Awareness month in partnership with SnowEx. During the month of October, Fisher Engineering ran a special promotion featuring limited-edition pink Fisher XV2 v-plows and lift arm kits, and donated $100 from the sale of each pink XV2 v-plow and $50 from the sale of each pink lift arm kit to the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition.
  • Case Construction Equipment and its dealers were involved throughout the year in various efforts to support those in need. Case dealer Hills Machinery provided a compact track loader and excavator to assist in mudslide cleanup in Polk County, N.C. Case and dealers Titan Machinery and Sonsray Machinery donated the use of skid-steers, a compact track loader and an excavator for a disaster cleanup operation in response to the “tinder fire” that swept across more than 500 acres in Coconino County, Ariz. And Case and dealer F&W Equipment provided equipment for a cleanup operation spurred by three EF-1 tornadoes and one microburst in Connecticut.
  • Generac helped in areas impacted by Hurricane Florence by shipping portable generators to the affected areas. Generac also deployed storm response teams – 10 technicians and a trailer full of parts – to the Carolinas to service or repair generators of all types, and to support the company’s servicing dealers.
  • Briggs & Stratton Corporation announced a $1 million commitment to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, extending its exclusive 23-year title sponsorship of Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk – the hospital’s longest-standing, and one of its most successful, fundraising events – through 2022.
  • Scag Power Equipment’s “Simply the Brave” program offered pricing discounts of 15% off the retail prices of Scag lawn mowers and mower accessories to current and retired fire, police and EMT personnel, as well as active-duty military and military veterans. Scag also made a donation to The Gary Sinise Foundation – First Responders Outreach Program and Nation of Patriots.
  • Kubota Manufacturing of America and Kubota Industrial Equipment jointly announced a $1 million donation to the Lanier Technical College Foundation in support of its Technology and Industry Building on its new campus set to open in January 2019.

 

Our thanks go out to all those in the industry who have gone above and beyond this year to help those in need. Please share additional stories of industry support and generosity with us by e-mailing me at jkmitta@epgmediallc.com.

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