Edwards Performance provides community Solutions

(ELKRIDGE, Md.—November 13, 2018) Make community connections and make a difference. This is a sentence you will hear daily around the offices of Edwards Performance Solutions. In fact, it is one of the company’s four core values.

“Philanthropy is woven into our company culture,” said Founder Steven Edwards.

Over the past year alone, Edwards has donated upwards of $25,000 between sponsorship, employee donation matches, and other monetary contributions. Beyond that, employees literally get their hands dirty in the kitchens at homeless shelters, planting trees, and collecting litter, among hundreds of additional volunteer hours within the community.

Each year, Edwards chooses major organizations to support based on employee input. In 2018, it focused its efforts on the Ellicott City Partnership, Grassroots Crisis Intervention, the United Way, and Restoration Ranch. See how it supported these groups:

Ellicott City Partnership 

Over the past few years, two major floods have devastated Old Ellicott City. To support local business and help rebuild the downtown area, Edwards sponsors the ECStrong 5k and continues to encourage employees to participate.

Grassroots Crisis Intervention

Edwards supports the only 24-hour crisis center/homeless shelter in Howard County. It delivers meals to the more than 55 residents one to two times each quarter. It hosts BBQs and purchases ready-to-serve food for distribution. Edwards has collected clothes, toys, and other gifts during its holiday drive for Grassroots and have provided monetary contributions through its charitable match program.

United Way

Edwards participated in United Way’s annual school supply drive and gave 125 backpacks, filled with supplies. It also took part in United Way’s summer send-off, collecting items for students who go through the program. For United Way’s Day of Action, Edwards employees volunteered at four service locations and collected trash, read to children, painted, or produced collection projects.

Restoration Ranch  

Restoration ranch is a non-profit that provides equine learning for veteran families in Texas. Veterans work with horses and are given the opportunity to contribute to service-oriented projects, helping them build relationships with the horses and fellow veterans. Edwards provides a sponsorship annually to give back to the veterans, encouraging hands on application for socialization and PTSD support.

Outside of support to these organizations, employees hold volunteer positions in the community, promoting business and economic prosperity in Maryland.

Edwards Performance Solutions received the Maryland Chamber’s 2018 Business Philanthropy Award.