EESF Honors Contributors, Founding Members and UNITED Team at Recognition Reception
October 20, 2009 - The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) hosted its annual fundraiser on Sunday, September 20, 2009 during the UNITED Convention and Exposition in Orlando, Florida. The event, a reception recognizing contributors, EESF’s founding members and the UNITED team, raised $25,901 to help the EESF’s mission to educate the public on the safe use of elevators, escalators and moving walks through informational programs. Of this total, $1,470 is earmarked for the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation of Canada (EESFC). The amount raised by this event will enable the Foundation to purchase materials to educate 92,503 children with the Safe-T Rider program.
The event was held immediately following the UNITED Presidents’ Reception. Attendees enjoyed decedent dessert martinis, “magic” ice cream, various desserts and cocktails. The Cordial Dessert Martini Bar, sponsored by GAL/Hollister Whitney and Innovation Industries, Inc. featured delicious combinations of creams, chocolate, coffees and liqueurs. The Pure Magic Ice Cream station, sponsored by Canton Elevator, the Elevator Conference of New York and The Peelle Company, was a show and a dessert, as a liquid nitrogen blast created ice cream made to order in an array of flavors.
Other sponsors include Silver Sponsors AFD Industries, Inc. and C. E. Electronics as well as Bronze Sponsors AEDARSA, C. J. Anderson & Company, Courion, Draka Elevator Products, EHC Global, Inc., The Elevator Radio Show, Leistritz Corporation, Maxton Manufacturing and Minnesota Elevator, Inc.
EESF displayed 17 signs throughout the ballroom – one for each year the Foundation has been supported by an annual campaign with a list of each campaign’s contributors.
During the reception, Rob Merlo, NAEC Liaison to the EESF Board of Regents, presented awards of recognition to EESF’s founding members – Elevator World, the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC), the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International (NAESAI) and the National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII).
Awards were also presented to the UNITED team – the Canadian Elevator Contractors Association (CECA), NAEC, NAESAI and the National Association of Vertical Transportation Professionals (NAVTP, now the International Association of Elevator Consultants [IAEC]). Each award was inscribed:
“The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation recognizes it’s Founding Members / the members of the UNITED team for your generous commitment of time, support and inspiration to educate the public on the safe and proper use of elevators, escalators and moving walks through informational programs.”
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Mike Ryan receives Elevator U’s donation from Jimmie Anicich (Arizona State Univ.) and Phillip Oliveri (Univ. Of California, San Diego)
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CECA and Elevator U each presented their 2009 campaign contributions to EESF at the event with CECA donating $5,000 and Elevator U giving $2,500. The Foundation appreciates the continued support received from both of these organizations.
The event was an excellent opportunity to network with fellow UNITED attendees and EESF members while being recognized by EESF for being an integral part of the mission of the Foundation. Merlo served as the chairman for the Recognition Reception Planning Committee, whose members included Bobby DeFrancesco and Cornelius Walls. The committee and EESF staff extend a special note of appreciation to the UNITED team – without them, this event would not have been possible.
The event hosted 332 attendees with 16 companies in the industry as sponsors of the reception. These sponsors typically support the Foundation throughout each year by becoming members, volunteering in their communities as well as sponsoring multiple events and fundraisers. It is because of their giving that EESF was able to recognize the giving of others through the Recognition Reception.
