SOLitude Lake Management Announces Record Year of Community Outreach in 2015

Virginia Beach, Virginia, January 8, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Through its corporate volunteering and outreach program, The SOLution, SOLitude Lake Management, an industry leader in lake and pond management, fisheries management and related environmental services for the United States, announced that 2015 was a record year of volunteering and community outreach activities, donations and partnering with key organizations who share in their mission. The company recorded 1,453 hours of volunteering, which exceeded the 2015 goal by 21 percent and was an increase of 38 percent over 2014’s volunteering totals. In addition, the company donated $38,825 in cash and goods, supported over 7,600 under resourced families, participated in trash and environmental clean ups which collected 37,137 pounds of trash, recycled 13,030 plastic containers and an additional 524 cubic yards of cardboard, plastics and paper, and helped 291 dogs and cats find their forever homes.

SOLitude's Director of Marketing, Tracy Fleming, noted that the increase in volunteer hours recorded by the team is a reflection of the culture of the company and the desire of all team members to truly make a difference in our community. “The SOLution is not simply a program we have; it is how we operate as a company,” she said. “Each year, we find a need to fill and causes to support, and through the dedication of our team, business partners and local community partners, we have the ability to make a difference. It is extremely gratifying for us all.”

For the third year, SOLitude grew both of their holiday giving programs, Little GOBBLERS and HOLiday Cheer. The Little GOBBLERS program increased by 13 percent, donating turkeys and grocery store gift cards to 163 under resourced families at elementary and middle schools throughout the United States for the Thanksgiving holiday.

With an increase of 35 percent over 2014, $5,000 in HOLiday Cheer was spread to under resourced families and to children spending the holidays in the hospital. This year, two “adopted” families with school aged children received several gifts from their wish lists along with gift cards to allow the parents to purchase additional presents and household items. In addition, games and toys were delivered to the children who spent their holidays on the oncology floor at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (CHKD) in Norfolk, Virginia. The Massachusetts Toys for Tots program also received gifts and donations from the SOLitude staff, and 45 under resourced families with elementary aged school children in Virginia received turkeys and toys to increase their “holiday cheer.”

Throughout the year, continuing the tradition of supporting organizations that have similar core values for improving the world for those in need and tending to our waterways and the environment, The SOLution program touched many organizations throughout the United States. The SOLitude team improved a recreational lake at a camp for disabled children, donated to Combat Wounded Coalition to help enhance clothing modifications for wounded veterans, extended a hand at clean up events for various watershed improvement groups, taught youth about fishing and ecology at various outdoor events, sorted and organized food for several local Food Banks and planted 200 new trees through the National Forest Foundation.

Also as part of The SOLution program, SOLitude named J.Wesley Allen as the volunteer of the 4th quarter of 2015. Wes exemplified the values of The SOLution during his 47 hours of volunteering during the year and he exceeded his personal goal of quarterly volunteering at his local Food Bank. Wes continues to participate in environmentally-focused volunteering events to improve the waterways and shorelines in his home state of Delaware and has motivated the team to join him on every occasion. From preparing the DuPont Nature Center for its grand opening, to cleaning the Brandywine River, to planting Cape American Beach grass at Delaware Seashore state park, to removing invasive Wineberry weeds, he has embraced the company culture while focusing his efforts on the environment and a love for the outdoors.

The SOLution is a company-wide program that encourages the company and all employees to strive to “create a better world” through volunteerism, community outreach, sustainability and environmental consciousness. SOLitude’s company leadership feels it is important to not only be good stewards of the environment, but also to fulfill company core values to “take action and be accountable” and to “protect and respect nature.” To participate or share a non-profit's goals for consideration in The SOLution, contact Tracy Fleming at [email protected].

SOLitude Lake Management is committed to providing full service lake and pond management services that improve water quality, preserve natural resources, and reduce our environmental footprint. Our services include lake, pond and fisheries management programs, algae and aquatic weed control, installation and maintenance of fountains and aeration systems, water quality testing and restoration, bathymetry, lake vegetation studies, mechanical harvesting, habitat assessments, invasive species management and nuisance wildlife management. SOLitude is the third largest distributor of AquaMaster fountains and aerators in the US and the world. Lake, pond and fisheries management services, consulting, and aquatic products are available nationwide. Learn more about SOLitude Lake Management and purchase products at www.solitudelakemanagement.com.