As the year is coming to a close, we reflect on the events over the last twelve months. Each year, we work to improve the communities where we work and live. ms and our employees are committed to supporting various initiatives and non-profit organizations. Here are just a few highlights of our 2016 contributions.

Courtney Boyle, ms Youngstown, provided a hands-on learning experience for children in the Youngstown area. As part of the Summer Manufacturing Institute (SMI), Courtney and about 20 students built their very own rain garden at the ms Youngstown office.

The SMI is a collaboration between Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology and the YWCA of Youngstown. Students participating in this summer event learn about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and meet industry professionals, visit manufacturing facilities and work on engineering challenges.

Some of the highlights included how to build the rain garden, ideal weather conditions, plants, including native varieties, and the environmental benefits of rain gardens. Building the rain garden was a collaboration among ms employees, the SMI, the YWCA, and Youngstown State University’s STEM College. Additionally, Murphy Construction excavated the area and Second Nature Landscape services helped with landscaping.

With more than 11,000 participants, the annual Panerathon event is known as the “largest fundraising event in the valley.” The Panerathon is a 10K/2-mile walk/run held at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown. Each year, ms Youngstown employees participate and fundraise, benefiting the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center.

To date, the Panerathon has raised more than $1.3 million, supporting the first comprehensive breast care center in the Youngstown area.

This year, the city of Akron held its second annual Blue Heron Homecoming Environmental Festival and Open House. The free, community event was an open house held at Akron’s Water Reclamation Facility. Community members joined together to learn what services the City of Akron provides to protect the environment and public health. ms Akron’s Jeremy Gaston and Deb Houdeshall both volunteered for the event that also educated residents on water quality, sewage overflow, and how the residents can help reduce water pollution. The event featured interactive displays, a model of Akron’s new sewer system, and the introduction of the Akron Waterways Renewed! mascot—Eco.

See some photos of the event in our Facebook album.

The Central Ohio STEM is Expo is an annual educational outreach event for K-8 students, led by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Central Ohio Section. ms employees volunteer to help out with interactive activities and exhibits in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Past year’s activities have included building truss bridges and straw towers, modeling buildings under earthquake loading, reviewing blue prints, and building race cars. ms also an activity sponsor for the event.

Visit the ASCE, Central Ohio Section webpage for future events and how you can participate.

Check out some of the photos from this year’s event on Facebook!

Some other 2016 initiatives included:

• Youngstown Community Cup
• Akron STEM Fest
• Water for People
• Children’s Water Festival
• Step Up for Diabetes
• American Red Cross Blood Drive
• Relay for Life
• Creative Life and Work Services (CLW) Workshop

Visit the ms Community Involvement page to see more. Have an organization or event you’d like us to participate in? Email Krystal Paisley at kpaisley@msconsultants.com and tell us more!