“Brown Goes Green”
C.W. Brown Inc. is committed to the future of the environment and, therefore, has integrated green initiatives into our daily business operations. This work ethic allows the company to have a significantly reduced carbon footprint and enable us to maintain our firm-wide initiative to LEED standards and sustainability.
Our company participates in programs that recycle construction waste materials. Recycling of these materials conserves natural resources and puts less strain on the environment by reducing the cost of hauling and disposal and keeps valuable construction materials out of landfills. We regularly recycle wallboard, metal, ceiling tiles and carpeting.
Solar energy is abundant and infinitely renewable and we are doing our part to help the environment by using solar energy at our home office. We have installed a photovoltaic electrical energy generating system. These solar panels are installed on our rooftop and turn sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. This electricity then flows into an inverter that converts it to alternating current (AC) electricity.
“Paying it Forward”
A majority of the C.W. Brown staff hold volunteer positions in local, civic, religious and charitable organizations. The organization as a whole is proud to be actively involved in many charitable projects and offer the following as examples of our work.
Andrus is a private, non-profit community agency that provides assessment, treatment, education and preventive services for children and their families in residential, day and other restorative programs. C.W.Brown and their subcontractors donated the labor and materials to build a new kitchen for the children in the Center’s Griffith Hall. On top of that, C.W. Brown supports Andrus by being a major sponsor to their yearly Awards Dinner and by participating in their benefit golf tournaments. Renée and Charlie Brown, CEO and President of C.W. Brown, received the 2007 “Hearts for Kids” award.
The Boys and Girls Club is a nonprofit organization that provides supervised recreation, physical instruction and educational, cultural, and social programs for the children of Northern Westchester County. C.W. Brown is a proud supporter of the BGCNW. Renée Brown sat on the journal committee for their annual dinner.
Burn Care… Everywhere Foundation Inc.
www.burncarefoundation.org
Burn Care’s mission is to improve the quality of life of burn survivors and their families. They also educate school aged children and seniors on the seriousness of burns and work closely with the Connecticut Burn Camp for Kids. C.W. Brown has often been a corporate sponsor for the Burn Care golf outings, which help to fund their programs.
Food Bank for Westchester
www.foodbankforwestchester.org
The Food Bank for Westchester raises funds to help feed approximately 200,000 hungry children and their families in Westchester County. C.W.Brown continually supports the Food Bank’s “Take Heart Against Hunger” Valentine’s Day Event. They also participate in the Food Bank’s “An Evening in Good Taste” to help end childhood hunger.
Friends of Karen
www.friendsofkaren.org
Friends of Karen (FOK) is a non-profit organization that provides support for families with children suffering from life-threatening illness. C.W.Brown first became acquainted with Friends of Karen when they were asked to bid on the expansion of the FOK offices in Purdys, NY. A close look at the organization and the services they provide, however, inspired C.W.Brown to turn this money-making situation into an opportunity to pay it forward. They arranged it so that as many services as possible were donated. The Carpenters’ Union sent volunteer apprentice carpenters, many suppliers donated materials and several sub-contractors reduced the cost of their services. C.W. Brown was able to bring in the project under budget, allowing FOK to complete additional items on their “wish-list.” C.W. Brown continues to support them by providing free labor to perform small projects around the FOK building twice a year. In thanks for the project, FOK made Renée and Charlie Brown the honorees at their first Gala in 1996. C.W. Brown has attended and supported the bi-annual Gala ever since.
Green Chimneys
www.greenchimneys.org
Green Chimneys uses animal-assisted therapy to work with children struggling with emotional, behavioral or learning disabilities. Jack DiGirolamo, Vice President of C.W. Brown, is a former member of the Board of Directors of Green Chimneys. Throughout 2008, C.W.Brown will be helping Green Chimneys by restoring an old barn and converting it to a general store. The children of Green Chimneys will use the store to sell items from their farm. In the past, C.W. Brown has supported Green Chimneys by participating in their annual golf outings.
Community Center of Northern Westchester
www.communitycenternw.org
The Community Center of Northern Westchester, located in Katonah, NY, works to provide affordable food, clothing, and other domestic necessities to under-privileged citizens. Renée Brown is a former member of the Board of Directors at the Community Center. She is still actively involved in supporting the center.
March of Dimes
www.marchofdimes.com
March of Dimes is an organization that uses research, community services, and education to prevent birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. C.W. Brown has supported the March of Dimes through continued attendance at the annual Real Estate Breakfast and the annual Mothers of the Year awards dinner. Renée Brown is a former member of the dinner committee.
MetroPool
www.metropool.com
MetroPool is an organization that provides free commuter services to employers and commuters. They work to improve the mobility of people, increase workforce effectiveness and enhance commuter’s economic well being. Jack DiGirolamo is a member of the Board of Directors of MetroPool.
The Pleasantville Cottage School
www.jccany.org
The Pleasantville Cottage School is a residential program located in Pleasantville, NY, that works with troubled kids and their families. They work to resolve the domestic issues that landed the children in the school in the first place. Every Christmas C.W. Brown adopts a cottage at the school. The boys in the cottage, aged 7-15, put together a wish-list and send it over to C.W. Brown. All of C.W. Brown’s employees contribute to and help purchase the presents for the boys. On top of that, company members are encouraged to bring extra gifts to C.W. Brown’s annual Christmas party. C.W.Brown then hosts a holiday party at the cottage and distributes the gifts to the boys.
St. John’s Church
St. John’s is an Episcopal church located in South Salem, NY. Renée and Charlie Brown are active members of the church and Renée Brown has been a Youth Group leader for the past 8 years.
St. Luke’s School
www.stlukesct.org
St. Luke’s School is a private day school in New Canaan, CT. Over the years, the school has completed many renovations to improve the campus and suit it for a larger, more inclusive, student body. Charlie Brown, a member of the Board of Trustees and the Building Committee, uses his knowledge of the construction industry to help the school with these projects. He was avidly involved with the master plan for the construction of the new athletic facilities and performing arts center. |
