Sixty-eight Comcast team members showed up at Mainspring Schools’ bright and early last Saturday. Mainspring Schools is a long- term funded partner of United Way for Greater Austin and is among eight percent of centers in the U.S. accredited by the NAEYC, the nation’s most rigorous early childhood accrediting body.
“Comcast Cares Day is one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” Executive Director of XFINITY Home Wholesale, Tom Chmielewski said. “I have volunteered as the chair of an Austin nonprofit who has benefitted from the United Way’s support. I am proud that Comcast is a long time United Way supporter and want to support this great organization that does so much for our Austin community and neighbors.”
Representing different backgrounds, ethnicities and socio-economic levels, families come from all over Austin to attend Mainspring. Seventy-five percent of Mainspring students receive tuition subsidies. They believe diversity is crucial to developing self-aware, well-rounded children.
Comcast team members volunteered as a part of Comcast Cares day, a nation wide annual tradition of Comcast NBCUniversal. 2018 marked the 16th annual Comcast Cares Day and Mainspring was the first event located in Austin. On April 21, 2018, 100,000 volunteers worked to improve 1,000 project sites at community centers, schools, gardens, parks, beaches and more throughout the U.S. and in 20 other countries
“A day of service is such a small effort that can generate lasting positive impacts for an environment and individuals,” Manager, XFINITY Home Wholesale
Siara Johnson said. “I am beyond grateful to work for a company and with leaders who value giving back to our communities, I could not pass up on the opportunity to leverage our resources to put even a momentary smile on the face of the staff, families and children of Mainspring Schools.”
Volunteers cleaned, organized, resurfaced play areas with sand, installed a new brick zen garden, weeded, picked up trash, cut artwork posters, built a compost bin, assembled lunch tables and more.
“Thanks [to the Comcast team] for all they did for our school on Saturday! It looks great. The kids and teachers noticed a difference right away,” Executive Director of Mainspring Schools, Jason Grindele said. “Comcast Volunteers are welcome at Mainspring any time.”
A Special Thanks to the Comcast work committee members.
- Tom Chmielewski, Ashley Reed, Sean O’Malley, Jake Thorwart, Danny Sandoval, Mirella Batista, Peter Tung, Meribeth Fuqua, Rob Judkins, Travis Kaspar, Tony Anderson, Chuck Granberry, Mohammad Aali, Brian Rucker, JoAnne Thanner andMatthew Thanner
To see Comcast’s photos from the event click here.
To visit United Way for Greater Austin’s Flickr account click here.
Every year Mainspring hosts a luncheon as a fundraiser for the school. At this year’s luncheon on April 19 they shared two videos (here and here) if you are interested in learning more about the teachers and a family’s experience with the school.