Here at Chalmers, we believe that community matters. That’s why we offer each coworker 16 paid volunteer hours every year to step away from their desks and make a difference in their local communities.
Whether it’s gardening at an elementary school, helping out at a food bank, or supporting nonprofit events, our team has been making the most of this opportunity to give back. These shared experiences have brought us closer as a company and strengthened our ties to the communities we serve.
We asked five coworkers who’ve been actively involved to share their stories. Here's what they had to say:
Meet Madelyn
“It feels really good to engage and support the community we live in.”
Madelyn has participated in a variety of community service projects, including roadside cleanups, the Effingham Elementary School Garden project, Red Cross blood drives, and events for Jen’s Friends.
She says the work builds camaraderie and creates real ties with the people she sees every day in the community. Volunteering has strengthened her relationships with coworkers and deepened her connection to the areas Chalmers serves.
Madelyn values that Chalmers supports this kind of service, explaining that coworkers coordinate to make sure there’s always office coverage, which allows everyone to participate when they’re able.
Meet Carissa
“It’s about showing up, lending a hand, and making a tangible difference in someone’s day.”
Carissa has both participated in and led major volunteer events at Chalmer’s and beyond. She’s hosted and donated to blood drives, taught Junior Achievement classes to elementary students in Gorham, contributed to the Gorham Backpack Program, helped with the Gorham community garden, and even chopped vegetables for the free Thanksgiving meal her office helps prepare.
Outside of work hours, she’s actively involved with Make-A-Wish, having recently completed a term as Chair of their Young Leaders Council, and continues as a Wish Granter. She was also able to volunteer for a full day at a Make-A-Wish golf event using her community service hours.
Carissa hadn’t been involved in her local community much before joining Chalmers, but the company’s strong community ties inspired her to change that. Volunteering has helped her feel more connected to both her workplace and her neighbors.
She also finds that participating in projects with coworkers has built stronger relationships through laughter, shared purpose, and meaningful impact. To make time for volunteering, Carissa plans ahead, scheduling flexible opportunities like Junior Achievement sessions or blood donations around her calendar.
Meet Heather
“Volunteering has made me appreciate what I have and to be thankful that I am able to help out others in that way.”
Heather has delivered food for the Harrison Food Bank, helping families who couldn’t pick up their food themselves, and she’s also volunteered by reading to her child’s class at school.
She says delivering food was particularly meaningful because without those deliveries, the food might have gone to waste and families in need would have missed out. The experience gave her a sense of gratitude and purpose.
Heather tries to do as much community service as she can each year and she’s grateful for the flexibility Chalmers allows her to have so she can take the time to help when opportunities arise. She typically signs up in advance and plans her volunteer time in smaller increments, usually an hour or two at a time, which makes it easy to manage with her work schedule.
Meet Ethan
“The people in our community are not just clients—they’re our neighbors and friends.”
Ethan has taken full advantage of Chalmers’ volunteer hours since he joined nearly 10 years ago. He has coached youth sports for children in grades K–8, including basketball and baseball/softball. He currently serves as President of the Gorham Youth Basketball Association, is a member of the Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club, and has held leadership roles in organizations such as the Gorham Economic Development Corporation and the Gorham Business Exchange.
He’s also participated in cleanup events and organized initiatives to help local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ethan says that community is at the core of who he is and who Chalmers is. Being part of a company that values community service has made Chalmers feel like home. The connections he’s built contributed not only to his personal life but also his business success.
He believes the company culture, where everyone genuinely cares about giving back, is rare and meaningful. With such an open and supportive volunteering community at Chalmers, Ethan finds that to balance volunteering and work, he prioritizes business needs first and manages his time carefully to make space for community service.
Meet Jodi
“Doing community work with coworkers has strengthened our relationships.”
Jodi has helped serve meals to Bridgton residents during the pandemic, rung bells for the Salvation Army, and served lunch at a local summer camp.
She says that volunteering is important because Chalmers has a well-known presence in the community and continuing to give back helps maintain those kinds of relationships.
These experiences have helped her feel more connected to the company’s values, and she’s built stronger relationships with coworkers by working together outside the office.
Thanks to a supportive team, Jodi says she’s able to step away from her desk when opportunities come up, knowing that coworkers will help keep things running smoothly while she is out.
At Chalmers, we believe that small actions can have a big impact. We’re proud to be able to allocate time so our team can spend time working in the larger community, making an impact in any way that feels right to them.
