---
title: "2021 Giving Project"
date: 2021-12-15
author: "Yuki"
featured_image: "https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021-Giving-Project-Web-Graphic.jpg"
categories:
  - name: "Events"
    url: "/category/events.md"
  - name: "News"
    url: "/category/news.md"
tags:
  - name: "community"
    url: "/tag/community.md"
  - name: "community outreach"
    url: "/tag/community-outreach.md"
  - name: "giving campaign"
    url: "/tag/giving-campaign.md"
  - name: "nonprofit"
    url: "/tag/nonprofit.md"
---

# 2021 Giving Project

## “The work is our passion. Giving back is our joy.”

Bobbi Westerby, President & CEO

**Once again, ECT embarked on a holiday project to give back to the communities where we live, work and play.**

Ten ECT employees were nominated by their peers to each select a local nonprofit doing outstanding and essential work in their hometowns. These ten individuals were chosen because of their passion about their communities and service, their strong work performance, and for being star performers behind the scenes here at ECT.

Take a moment to learn how our best and brightest gave back $10,000 in charitable donations to support causes near to their hearts.

Happy Holidays from your friends at ECT!

 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021-Giving-Project-Web-Graphic.jpg)  
 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/back-to-school-new-website.jpg)

###  **Kurt Hansen**  
Senior Associate Scientist 

 **Back to School Illinois** provides school supplies for students in low-income families. When we help those in need receive the tools for success, there is no limit to what they can achieve!

Nominated by: Brooke Poppe  
 [  
 Visit ](https://b2si.org/)  
 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/bread-of-the-mighty-new-website.jpg)

###  **Kaylee August**  
 Associate Scientist 

 The  **Bread of the Almighty** food bank distributes food and basic essentials and feeds the hungry. Last year they distributed 18+ million pounds of food, equating to 15,192,705 meals for residents. They predominantly serve children, seniors, and struggling families.

Nominated by: Jen Mathia  
 [  
 Visit ](https://breadofthemighty.org/)  
 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Childrens-home-society-new-website.jpg)

###  **Gladys McMillian**  
Accounting Specialist 

 **Children’s Home Society North Central Florida Region** provides multiple life changing services to children and families who are struggling with day-to-day living matters such as hunger, shelter, and in some cases life threatening health issues.

Nominated by: Debbie Mansell  
 [  
 Visit ](https://chsfl.org/)  
 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ffungi-new-website.jpg)

###  **Ry’yan Clark**  
Landscape Designer 

 **The Fungi Foundation** envisions a healthy planet in which Fungi are recognized as the interconnectors of nature. The foundation promotes engagement and understanding of Fungi and their habitats which we all engage with every day.

Nominated by: Zach Lausman  
 [  
 Visit ](https://ffungi.org/eng/)  
 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/gleaners-new-website.jpg)

###  **David Boomer**  
IT Helpdesk Specialist 

 **Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan**  started in Detroit, in an underserved community, and thrived. They feed many people in the city and downriver, including my neighbors, their kids, and many people I interact with every day.

Nominated by: Tennille Newsome  
 [  
 Visit ](https://www.gcfb.org/)  
 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/grace-centers-of-hope.jpg)

###  **Marty Boote**  
Senior Scientist 

 **Grace Centers of Hope**  is one of the few such facilities I know of that is achieving true transformation in people’s lives – helping people go from addiction and living on the street to become productive workers and homeowners.

Nominated by: Katherine Purcell  
 [  
 Visit ](https://gracecentersofhope.org/)  
 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/metropolitain-ministry-new-website.jpg)

###  **Mike Whitman**  
Senior Accounting Specialist 

 **Metropolitan Ministries** offers a wide array of services for at-risk and homeless families in and around the Tampa Bay area.

Nominated by: Marcia Harrison  
 [  
 Visit ](https://www.metromin.org/)  
 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sleep-in-heavenly-peace-new-website.jpg)

###  **Liz Theile**  
Project Manager – Midwest 

 **Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Auburn Michigan Chapter**   
No child should have to sleep on the floor, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. Children are our future!

Nominated by: Sheldon Nozik  
 [  
 Visit ](https://www.shpbeds.org/chapter/mi-auburn)  
 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/watershed-center-new-website.jpg)

###  **Tonya Lewandowski**  
Senior Engineer 

 **The Watershed Center**  Their mission statement aligns with my family’s love of Grand Traverse Bay and our passion to protect it. For nearly a decade our family has volunteered for TWC, engaging in the Adopt-A-Stream program.

Nominated by: Scott Denahan  
 [  
 Visit ](https://www.gtbay.org/)  
 ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Youth-Justice-Fund.jpg)

###  **Shelby Dix**  
Associate Engineer 

 I chose **Youth Justice Fund**  due to recent involvement with this local organization. They are an amazing resource to help formerly incarcerated youth in Ypsilanti and beyond.

Nominated by: Alice Bailey  
 [  
 Visit ](https://www.yjfund.org/)