CDM Raises Funds, Awareness During Third Annual Water for People Workplace Giving Campaign
June 01, 2007
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS—During the month of May, employees of CDM participated in the firm's third annual Workplace Giving Campaign to raise funds to support Water for People, an international humanitarian organization committed to improving global water quality, sanitation and hygiene education. Together, CDM and it employees raised more than $120,000, more than double the campaign's original goal.
"Perhaps no other charitable organization aligns itself more closely with CDM's core water and wastewater services than Water for People," stated Thomas D. Furman, Jr., P.E., BCEE, CDM Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. "The ingenuity and dedication that our employees demonstrated in local fundraising campaigns deserve recognition." Through bake sales, auctions, luncheons, cook-offs, golf tournaments, softball games, and friendly competitions within and between offices, they helped to increase awareness about the thousands of deaths that occur every day, mostly children, due to unsafe drinking water and lack of basic wastewater facilities—and raised money to reverse that trend.
"Water for People's mission truly resonates with our staff," said John L. Roberts, P.E., BCEE, CDM Executive Vice President. "There is great enthusiasm and energy generated by our Workplace Giving Campaign events, which bring employees together in ways beyond their normal work duties, providing them the opportunity to collaborate on one common, life-sustaining goal." Through employee efforts and contributions, CDM has once again earned the distinction of Water for People's Global Sponsor, the highest level of sponsorship and one achieved by only six organizations.
Since Water for People's founding in 1991, CDM has supported the organization through volunteer leadership and financial contributions. Frederick H. Elwell, P.E., BCEE, CDM senior consultant, and Kathryn L. McCain, CDM management consultant, have served on the Water for People Board of Directors; Elwell is the current Water for People president; Roberts is currently on the board of directors and champions CDM's annual Workplace Giving Campaign; and several other employees chair or are actively involved in state-level chapters.
Billions of people throughout the world are without safe water and adequate sanitation. The World Health Organization and UNICEF estimate that the combination of these conditions results in 6,000 deaths every day, mostly children. Safe, sustainable potable water and basic wastewater facilities are fundamental for improving the quality of life and achieving development goals.