National Volunteer Week: How Safran employees are making a difference

National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 by Presidential Proclamation, encouraging Americans to give their time to community outreach organizations. Throughout the week, Safran is shining a light on some of our employees whose support and work in local organizations embody Safran’s commitment to contributing to community development.

Bao Dang
Data Analyst, Safran Optics 1 
Organization: New Hampshire Red Cross Emergency Services

• What is your assignment?

In times of disaster, I served as a shelter manager overnight and on weekends, so that it did not conflict with my work schedule. As a shelter manager, I would oversee the operation in that shelter. I would check people in and out, organize volunteers and staff and ensure that everyone was comfortable, safe, and had a place to sleep. Other positions I’ve held with the American Red Cross throughout the last 16 years include: International Services Coordinator (Restore Family Links), Client Case Worker, Fundraiser Accounting, and First Aid Event Coordinator. 

• Why did you choose this volunteering opportunity? 

When I was 12 years old, my family first left Vietnam by boat in the Pacific Ocean in 1989. On the third day, we were out of food. On the fifth day, a Japanese ship saw us at sea, rescued our boat, and brought us to the Philippines and we stayed at a temporary refugee camp for 10 months. We were later brought to Japan. During that time, the Japanese Red Cross took our group for a field trip where I learned all about the Red Cross. In 1991, I came to the US as a refugee. Once I was able to establish myself and my family, I decided I wanted to give back to the Red Cross organization. 

I have been volunteering with them since 2008. In times of need, I have previously spent upwards of 40 hours a month volunteering with them!

• What have you gained from the experience? 

I gained friendships. I felt a sense of community. I trusted all of the people I volunteered with and always felt comradery. In 2013, I was the first New Hampshire recipient of the International Humanitarian Service Award. 

 

Helen Giczkowski
Business Analysist - Information Technology Department, Safran Aerosytems Oxygen Systems
Organization: Alden Home Bureau

• What was your assignment?

Collecting food and paper products for the less fortunate at our local church. 

• Why did you choose this volunteering opportunity?

The “Blessing Box” helps many people who cannot afford to have extra food in their homes.  My organization checks the Blessing Box to make sure it is stocked with various items. We have two meetings a month where we discuss what is needed, and our 17 members donate the items or we purchase them with funds collected from a raffle.

• What have you learned from the experience?

The fact that we replenish the Blessing Box many times during the month proves how many people are in need of assistance.

 

Chris Federici
Senior Software Engineer, Safran Power Units
Organizations: Cub Scouts / Scouts of America

• What is your assignment?

Adult leader 

• Why did you choose this volunteering opportunity? 

My son has been involved with scouting since the second grade. I started to help out as a Den Leader and my involvement has grown from there. Scouting is a great way to be involved with the community and get exposure to a wide range of skills and activities. 

• What have you gained from the experience? 

I have gained an appreciation for the amount of work that is completed by volunteers and staff of parks, museums and other organizations. I’ve learned how rewarding it can be to help others learn a skill, and the importance of challenging yourself to continue to learn and grow throughout life.

 

Jessica Pridmore
Business Process Engineer, Safran Aerosystems Evacuation
Organization: Adopt a Pet

• What is your assignment?

I mostly deal with emergency and long-term fostering for dogs with issues. The rescue will pull a dog with known or unknown issues and needs a place to safely evaluate their needs. This would range from abused, aggressive, under socialized, shut down, or physically disabled animals. My role is to determine what the dog is able or unable to handle, how much work it needs and the type of home the dog would be best suited for. If the dog requires long-term rehabilitation due to aggression or reactivity, I would foster the dog for as long as required to be able to safely place into a home. I have successfully placed around 15 dogs, with only one dog being unable to home due to aggression, which I ended up keeping as a personal pet. 

• Why did you choose this volunteering opportunity? 

I chose the problem dog path as there are little to no people who will foster dogs, let alone “problem” dogs. Sure, puppies are super fun to have around and require a lot less work than a bite risk, but it is much more rewarding taking in a dog who is wary of strangers and helping them to gain trust. 

• What have you gained from the experience?                    

I have learned and gained so much from working with these dogs. From learning from the best dog trainers in the USA to creating personalized training and rehab programs for individual dogs – not to mention the reward of seeing a dog with little trust in people turn into a confident animal!

 

Donald Wegst
Manufacturing Engineer, Safran Aerosytems Oxygen Systems
Organizations: Depew Volunteer Fire Department and Bowmansville Volunteer Fire Department

• What was your assignment?

Captain, Lieutenant and Fire Chief

I joined the Depew Volunteer Fire Department in 1974 at age 18.  Within the first six months, I became an interior firefighter, going into structures and extinguishing fires.  During the 12 years in Depew, I was elected Lieutenant for two years, and Captain for four years.  In 1986, I transferred to the Bowmansville Volunteer Fire Department, where I served as Lieutenant for two years and Fire Chief for five years. After being Fire Chief, I transferred back to the Depew Volunteer Fire Department.  I currently am a Pump/Driver and I hold the office of Financial Secretary and Trustee and I’m involved in numerous department committees. I have been in the fire service for almost 50 years.

• Why did you choose this volunteering opportunity?            

Family and friends were firefighters, and now my son is one. When I joined the fire service, my dad was a fire chief and he took me to many functions and fire calls.  I got to know the firefighters and became friends with them.

• What have you gained from the experience?                    

Hundreds of hours are spent annually on training dealing with safety and firefighting.  Training includes new technologies such as electric cars and solar energy, which teaches firefighters how to handle them in case of fires.