Company Spotlight: ConMed Corporation

 

Company: ConMed Corporation
 
Name: Dawn Stewart
 
Location: Westborough, MA
 
What is your role in the company?
 
I am the office manager for ConMed at the Westborough, MA location and have been with the company for fourteen years. Part of my job that I love is coordinating United Way activities that help our community.
 
Tell us about your company.:
 
Founded in 1970, ConMed is a global medical technology company that specializes in the development and sale of surgical and patient monitoring products and services that allow physicians to deliver high quality care.  ConMed is a leader in Orthopedics, General Surgery, Gynecology, Gastroenterology, Laparoscopy, Cardiology and Critical Care markets.  We empower our customers to succeed by our commitment to integrity, quality, responsiveness and a relentless focus to deliver accessible ConMed solutions. Our talented employees and culture are the foundation of our success.
 
Why is it important for your company to give back?
 
As part of being a good corporate citizen, and our obligation to take care of others, ConMed supports the communities where we live and work.  ConMed chooses to partner with the United Way because of their dedication to support the health, education, financial stability and basic needs of the community.
 
How long have you been partnering with the united way? 5 Years 
 
What additional activities does your company do to support the community through the united way partnership?
 
ConMed locations host several volunteer events.  Employees have participated in a Build-a-Bike program, Back-to-School supply donation drives, knitted hats for those in need, built Homeless Winter Care Kits, and hosted a Skate Park build for local youth.
 
Are employees allowed to use any work time for volunteering? Yes
 
how do you promote the united way campaign at your company?
 
Several times a year, the ConMed Westborough location holds donation events to help support the United Way’s efforts to help the community.  Our fundraising efforts include a period each year where we accept monetary donations.  We also collect food for the local food pantry, gather new toys for the Hope for the Holidays campaign, and donate new books to the United Way reading initiative.
 
Do you have any special fundraising techniques for special events you can share with other campaign managers?
 
We start some of our collection events with a kick-off breakfast or lunch to announce the program.  Other campaigns we offer give-aways, such as gift cards, to those who donate, creating a fun atmosphere for our United Way collections.  Our Hope for the Holidays toy event is based around a decorated Christmas Tree in the lobby, where everyone is invited to add their toy donations.  It’s exciting to see the piles of toys around the tree and imagining the delighted children who will receive them. Many of our staff travel, so I offer to collect their monetary donations and am their personal shopper.  This works out well.  Our collections grow, and I enjoy helping.
 
What would you say about us to other companies looking to get involved in the community?
 
The United Way helps those in need on so many levels.  Our local United Way makes it easy to donate!  They are there to answer any questions, offer help, provide literature, or even give pep talks to the company to explain their programs.
 
What is your favorite thing about the campaign in general?
 
My favorite thing about all our United Way programs is knowing that we as a company are doing good, helping those in need, sharing with others.  It’s a wonderful feeling to know that our efforts make lives easier.
 
 
Why do employees at your company participate in the United Way's campaign?
ConMed employees are generous, and the United Way makes it easy for participants to donate in a variety of ways, whether contributing to education, workforce development, the local food pantry, the Ready to Read initiative, toy drive or through personal volunteering.  ConMed employees enjoy making a positive difference in our community.