Shure Incorporated

NILES, Ill., July, 2011—With images of relief organizations responding to crises in remote regions of the globe appearing on television almost daily, it is all too easy to forget the everyday needs of people in our own neighborhoods.  And while massive events require massive responses, the actions of one person can make an important difference on a local level.

Recently, dozens of Shure Associates participated in the 18th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon.  The event is the city's largest day of community service, when more than 6,000 volunteers come together to transform public schools and improve learning environments for more than 18,000 Chicago students.

“This was the third year that Shure sponsored the Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon, and many of our Associates were repeat participants,” said Vicky Kraft, HRIS Manager at Shure, who volunteered for the third time.  “You work hard all day long, but at the end of the day you know that you’ve really accomplished something.  The principal, parents, and students at the Academy were very enthusiastic at our arrival and very appreciative of our day’s work.”

More than 40 Shure Associates, family members and friends participated in this year’s event.  They were assigned to the Brentano Math & Science Academy, which serves Pre-K through 8th grade students on Chicago’s north side.  The volunteers painted eight classrooms, three stairwells, three hallways, and a mural.  They also built and painted eight benches and some storage shelves, and painted hopscotch and four-squares on the school’s playground.  All of the work was done using donated materials.

“Mr. Shure strongly believed that individual volunteerism is one of the best ways to build stronger communities,” said Sandy LaMantia, President and Chief Executive Officer at Shure Incorporated.  “We are inspired by the Associates who gave their time and energy to help create a better place to learn for everyone.”