ESL’s Donation Match Campaign!

Erika Thorson

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ESL strongly believes in giving back to our community and supporting those in need. Additionally, we recognize encouraging employees to contribute to charities they feel are important helps build a better work environment and positive company moral; especially when your company provides support in the form of financial matching! With these values in mind, ESL decided to launch its first ever Donation Match Campaign encouraging its team to give back to the causes they believe in.Goal_Chart_Donation_Match

… especially when your company provides support in the form of financial matching!

ESL started the new venture by gathering suggestions on charities from our employees. The suggestions were then carefully evaluated and 15 nonprofits were selected for this year’s matching.  All employees were encouraged to give anywhere from $25 to $1000 with the ESL promise to match each donation dollar-for-dollar.  This year’s Charities included:

  • ALSAC – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
  • Americares
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • American Red Cross
  • Augies Quest to Cure ALS Inc.
  • Cure Alzheimer’s Fund
  • Direct Relief
  • Dr. Susan love Foundation
  • Feeding America
  • Hope for the Warriors
  • JDRF
  • Khan Academy
  • Make a wish America
  • Our Companions Animal Rescue
  • Ronald Mc Donald House

The campaign ran for two months and raised $8,180.00 in all! To engage the team and keep the giving going, weekly emails were sent out highlighting charities available for giving. To help keep the company informed on progress, employee contributions were tracked on a donation chart visible in the company lunch room. The participation was outstanding for our first attempt and feedback on the program was excellent.

We would love to hear how your company contributes! Send us a comment with the great things your work place does for its community.

Check out our other blogs on volunteering to see how our company and its awesome employees continue to contribute to worthy causes.

ESL’s Mission to Paradise

Erika Thorson

ESL Motorhome dedicated to camp fire victim

On Monday, December 10th, ESL owners Michael and David Hellmers drove the company motorhome 565 miles north to the devastated town of Paradise, CA.

What was the mission? To drive the motorhome north and donate it to a family who had lost their home in the fire. In addition, ESL reached out to family and friends to help fill the motorhome up with new toys, clothes, unwrapped gifts, and any other helpful items that could be donated.

The one day mission took two days due to a minor rear suspension issue with the Winnebago (possibly caused by all the donations that filled up the motorhome).

Fifteen miles before arriving in Paradise, Michael and David dropped off donations in the form of gifts, supplies, gift cards and checks to the Salvation Army in Chico. Together, with the Red Cross online donation campaign for the Camp Fire Victims, the ESL fundraising program’s total exceeded $15,000.00.

ESL donations to salvation army

Upon arrival in Paradise, the local Cal Fire Battalion Chief, Jason Morris led Michael and David through the burned out city. During their trek to the motorhome’s new residence at Cal-Fire’s Butte Camp, they learned that all of Paradise is completely closed off to the public and most people will not be allowed back in until February or March.

By the end of the second day, Michael and David had given the motorhome to a Cal Fire Captain’s family that was displaced due to the devastation caused by the Camp Fire. Chief Morris, his Captains and staff were extremely appreciative as were the fine folks at the Salvation Army in Chico.

ESL motor home gifted

It will be a while before any of the families displaced by the Paradise fire can return to their homes and even then, the rebuilding of what was lost will be an exhaustive task. ESL was humbled by the efforts made by family and friends to help with this humanitarian mission and realize that there are many ways to give. If you are interested in helping the victims affected by the fire below are a few options.

Donate New/ Unused Gifts:  Specific items that the local Salvation Army’s distribution center in Chico, CA is asking for are unwrapped new underwear/socks, blankets/pillows, hygiene items, diapers/baby wipes, and new toys (no electronics). Salvation Army’s address is: 1100 Marauder St., Chico, CA 95973

Gift Cards: Gift Card donations have been shown to be extremely effective at providing the best benefit to those in need. This allows 100% of the donated funds to quickly help the wide-ranging short-term needs of those who have lost everything.  ESL has been advised that Gift Cards for clothing, food and especially gas are best.

Donate Directly to the Red Cross:  The American Red Cross has over 500 volunteers on the ground locally providing shelter, food, support, clothing, etc and they can definitely use your donation. You can simply visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to contribute!

Be Prepared for Emergency Situations

Patrick Evans

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When Hurricane Michael made landfall on October 10th across the Florida coast and along the Gulf of Mexico it registered as a Category 4 and was the largest to ever hit the Florida Panhandle. By the time the storm subsided it had passed through Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia and the Carolinas’. As of October 12th, over “1.4 million utility customers from Florida to Virginia were without power” according to cbsnews.com. This was likely due to the combination of high winds and heavy flooding taking out power lines and electrical stations. Estimates tracked wind speeds from 45 to 155 mph. Fortune.com predicts damage from the storm could cost up to $4.5 billion in Florida alone.

The frequency and ferocity of high category hurricanes has become increasingly troublesome in recent years and show no signs of slowing down. There are many reasons to be prepared for the worst case scenarios but the unpredictability of these weather patterns is reason enough to take their threat seriously.

Depending on what region of the country you live in, disaster preparedness needs can vary from one area to the next. For example, some areas are more prone to flooding than they are to earthquakes, so it is important to be knowledgeable about the potential disasters that may affect where you live. Tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires and other disasters are often unpredictable. No matter where you live, there are a few steps that should be taken to help you be prepared for emergency situations at home and at work.

At Home:
Prepare a supply kit that has the essential items for the first 72 hours after an emergency. This includes water, non-perishable food, batteries, blankets, and first aid supplies. It’s also a good idea to write down the phone numbers and addresses of family and store it inside of your emergency kit. Finally, be sure to store the kit in a location where everyone can find it.

Once you’ve assembled your kit, you should discuss the plan of action for after an emergency. If needed, know how to shut off gas, electricity and water.  How will you communicate with those closest to you? Texting is easier than calling in the moments following a disaster, and are a great way to let others know that you’re safe.  You also need to discuss places to meet. Remember, different disasters may require you to go to different places; it’s a good idea to have a few meeting spots planned out ahead of time.

At Work:
As a business owner, being prepared means having an effective emergency backup system.  An important step in implementing this system is selecting a manual transfer switch that can quickly and safely be connected to a generator should utility power be out for a prolonged period of time. In ESL’s blog, 6-Ways to Select a Manual Transfer Switch we cover the factors that should be considered when determining which type of transfer switch is most suitable for your business.

In addition to a reliable back up system, your company should have a plan. Determine how you’ll get your business back up and running. Make a Check list! Assign responsibilities and determine if additional training is necessary to perform the tasks assigned. Include a backup person responsible for a task if your primary is off site. For comprehensive steps for contingency planning check out our blog, Do You Have A Contingency Plan? The Cost of NOT Being Prepared.

Some disasters are unavoidable but taking these steps can help soften the blow when one does strike. By being proactive, you can minimize loss in both your personal and professional life. For more information, check out our article on Automatic vs. Manual transfer switches, which illustrates potential threats to a business in the event of a power outage.
If you have questions about Emergency Power preparedness needs for your business, we can help! Click here to request more info.

Product Highlight: ESL’s MIL-C-24368 Shore Power Plugs and Receptacles

Erika Thorson

Increases in maritime shipping and environmental pollution concerns have created a demand for ship-to-shore power solutions that comply with environmental restrictions in ports and harbors. Cold-ironing, a process of ships shutting down on-board generation and then plugging into shore-side power while in berth, can greatly reduce air pollution in neighboring areas.

According to some estimates, cold ironing removes more than three tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 350 pounds of particulate matter from the air in large metropolitan areas. The US Military has used this method for many decades to reduce on-board manpower requirements while in port.

With a continuous commitment to safety, innovation, value, and customer service, ESL continues to forge the way in ship-to-shore power connection solutions.  ESL’s most recent addition to our Shore Power product line includes our QPL listed MIL-C-24368 shore power plugs and receptacles which have NAVSEA qualification approval.

ESL builds the most durable MIL-C-24368/1 plugs on the market; we are the only manufacturer using 316SS passivated castings and all 316SS hardware. This reduces corrosion and increases longevity in harsh marine environments under extreme and demanding use.

ESL Shore Power plugs can be supplied factory-potted with 400MCM or 500MCM customer-specified cable types in lengths. The plug or individual plug components can also be furnished for on-site assembly or repair.ESL's MIL-C-24368/1 plug

Like our plug, ESL’s MIL-C-24368/2 receptacle is manufactured with the highest quality materials. Only ESL fabricates the heavy cast housing and cover from passivated 316SS.

ESL shore power receptacles are typically supplied factory-potted with 400MCM or 500MCM customer-specified cable type in various lengths. MIL-C-24368/2 receptacles can be supplied with 1 or 2 microswitches to enable a safe and convenient means to electrically interlock upstream breakers and connect/disconnect power.

ESL's MIL-C-24368/2 receptacle

ESL provides world-wide support to customers who need mating and disconnect capabilities for NATO shore-power capable vessels. Our commitment to high inventory levels and a responsive production team ensures quick delivery in order to support critical needs of our customers. Download our Shore Power Brochure for a complete listing of our products or feel free to contact us for assistance.