Legrand North and Central America, an innovation leader in power, light and data technologies for homes, workplaces and data centers, recently spent the day working with students and faculty of Hartford Public High School to help advance the sustainability goals of the school. Legrand employees, and students came together for the Green Apple Day of Service to construct a solar-powered shed in the school’s soon-to-be community garden. Volunteers also helped to refurbish planter beds for the garden, trimmed trees and rehabbed picnic tables in the school courtyard.
As part of the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Center for Green Schools program, Green Apple Day of Service brings together students, teachers, parents and businesses from around the globe to improve school environments through high-impact, high-visibility service projects. 14 Legrand employees as well as 26 students, teachers and coaches from the school came together to enhance the culture of sustainability for the community at the school and prepare students for post-secondary education and careers in engineering and green technologies
“We’re thrilled to have participated in such an important program for our local school system,” said Mark Makwinski, Director of Innovation & Advanced Design at Legrand North America and Better Communities Site Captain for Legrand’s West Hartford location. “As a member of the community, we have a unique role to not only take part in such activities as the Green Apple Day of Service, but to also share with students and teachers the knowledge and insights we have as a building material manufacturer. It was wonderful to work alongside students from Hartford High School and teach them about the importance of sustainability.”
This effort on sustainability in local schools is one aspect of Legrand’s Better Communities program; an initiative dedicated to supporting employee volunteer and philanthropy efforts. Monetary donations to support the Hartford Public School event were collected as part of a fundraiser this past July at the Legrand North and Central America annual leadership summit.