MRC Global and Key Suppliers Team Up to Support the American Heart Association
MRC Global’s corporate office in Charleston, WV opened its beautiful campus to team members and their families for a Friday afternoon of fun and recreation. Overlooking the city where the company began, the grounds surrounding MRC Global’s eye-catching glass building were transformed into a beehive of activity for the bi-annual MRC Global Family Fun Day.
Music and laughter filled the air as kids sprang from bounce houses to the craft tent to the euro bungee. Face painters and balloon artists showcased their talents and entertained picnic-goers of all ages. Good-natured cheers erupted as Rob Saltiel , MRC Global’s President & CEO, took his turn along with other leaders for a plunge into the dunk tank. The aroma of hamburgers and hotdogs grilling by supplier, Balon, invited families to take a break from the action to refuel in the shade. Bentley, the 6-year-old son of one MRC Global team member, captured the emotions of many when he said, “I had the greatest fun ever today!”
But the MRC Global Family Fun Day event is more than an opportunity to unwind. Through the generous donations of sponsors in the PVF community, along with ticket sales from a 50/50 drawing and activities like the dunk tank and cake walk, tens of thousands of dollars are raised to benefit the American Heart Association . Any funds that exceed the cost of the event and a sister event in Houston, TX next year, are directly donated to the American Heart Association. The 2021-22 Family Fun Day proceeds provided approximately $80,000 to help the AHA continue to pave the way in the fight against heart disease and stroke.
“We value the long-standing relationships we’ve built with our vendors and we appreciate their eagerness to collaborate with us for a great cause,” said Grant Bates , Senior Vice President of North America Ops & E-Commerce. “On behalf of our MRC Global team, I would like to thank all of our Family Fun Day sponsors for their generosity, and especially Balon for coming out here today to provide food for our team members and families.”
The American Heart Association was on-site providing hands-only CPR training for all ages and generating excitement for their upcoming Heart Walk event, for which Grant will serve as Chair.
“Today was an awesome example of how it’s so good for everyone’s heart health to get out and be active,” said Holly Mitchell, Community Impact Director of AHA. “We’ve been educating people about CPR, talking about exercise and the upcoming Heart Walk. It’s just been an excellent and fun day,” she added. “We are so grateful for the partnership and the opportunity to be involved in the day,” said Michelle Loehr, Executive Director of AHA. “MRC Global does a wonderful job showing appreciation for their employees. It makes my heart happy.”
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Donations to the American Heart Association:
“Most people have had someone in their family affected by heart disease or other complications,” said Grant. “At MRC Global, it’s nice to be able to support a charitable organization that touches so many people and their families, and for our team members to get involved in something that makes an impact in the community,” he added.
In addition to all the fun festivities, the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association (“KCHA”) made a return visit with furry friends to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. KCHA and MRC Global first teamed up during May’s Mental Health Awareness month to lift spirits and to provide an opportunity for shelter pets to get some extra love.
To cap off the day, MRC Global team members joined together for a heart-rending “Country Roads” sing-along. This iconic WV anthem evokes an uplifting and heartwarming sense of home and belonging. It was a great moment to encapsulate the fun day that was had by friends and family and to celebrate MRC Global’s West Virginia roots.
To learn more about the AHA and the ways you can get involved, visit www.heart.org or join MRC Global at the Charleston Heart Walk on Saturday, October 7, 2023.
Vice President Marketing at MRC Global Inc.
1yIt was a great day! Thank you to our team members and suppliers who made it happen!
VP - Sales US Northeast
1yWhat a great day we had! Thank you to all our vendors that supported this event and to all our Team Members that helped to organize a wonderful day at our Charleston Office.