Arthrex employees are working to change the lives of those in their community through service.
Recently, 26 Arthrex Manufacturing Inc. South Carolina (AMISC) employees participated in a build for Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County. Just this year, employees at AMISC have volunteered more than 170 hours at their local Habitat for Humanity. Employees across all departments have participated in the volunteer initiative.
“The effort provides a better environment for the homeowner and their family," said Operations Production Senior Manager John Skojec. “We get to partake in making their lives a little better. Building a home for someone who is deserving really feels like you made a difference. They have so much gratitude for the help and hard work that our employees put in."
The partnership began in February 2019 when John joined the Board of Directors at Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County, where he currently serves as vice-chair. Seeing the effect Arthrex volunteers have on the community is one reason he is passionate about the program.
Human Resources Senior Manager Melanie McLane saw the initiative as a good fit for a volunteer PTO opportunity for Arthrex employees. Arthrex’s Volunteer PTO benefit allows all employees eight hours of paid time off to volunteer one day a year.
“It’s a win-win situation. We are making a real impact in our community while building camaraderie among employees," she said.
In 2019, a group of 20 AMISC employees joined John and began volunteering for their local Habitat for Humanity. The volunteers installed vinyl siding on houses. Night shift employees joined the effort by volunteering at Lights of Hope, an evening light show fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity during the holiday season.
After a positive experience, employees wanted to continue their volunteer efforts. Giving back has grown community awareness within Arthrex. John says volunteers feel they are making a tangible difference in the Anderson community by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
Development Director at Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County Kylie Yerka Herbert is grateful for the Arthrex volunteers.
"They all have hearts for service and aren’t afraid to work hard and get a little dirty to change someone’s life," Kylie said. “And they truly are changing lives."
Suture Technician II Tiffany Bryant knows firsthand the impact this work can have. Four years ago, she became a Habitat for Humanity homeowner and credits the organization for providing her access to safe, affordable housing for the first time.
"Habitat changed my life in all kinds of ways. I’ve never had a place to call my own," she said.
Tiffany was pregnant, living in a two-bedroom rental apartment with her mother and wanted to find a more spacious home. Tiffany was looking for affordable housing with a large backyard for her daughter, Samiya, to play in. That led her to consider housing opportunities with Habitat, which would provide a comfortable, safe home for Samiya.
Tiffany put in hundreds of hours of work building her own home with the organization. She now resides in a three-bedroom, two-bath home with plenty of yard space for Samiya to play.
“It was hard, Tiffany said. “Sometimes I wanted to give up, but I had my little girl looking up to me. It was worth every minute."