SCS Elevator Products Receives an Award For Their Partnership With Guide Dogs of America
We are thrilled to announce that at the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) annual convention last month, SCS Elevator Products received the 2021 Spirit Award! This award is due in large part to our involvement with Guide Dogs of America (GDA) as a sponsor of a guide dog.
How Our Partnership With Guide Dogs of America Began
One of SCS’ goals for 2021 was to find ways to give back that fit our core values and mission. It was our east coast Regional Sales Manager, Brian Hilfrank, that found GDA and suggested the partnership.
“Partnering with Guide Dogs of America seemed like the perfect opportunity to support a great organization and connect us back to our history as a company,” says Hilfrank.
SCS Elevator Products was established in the mid-1970s as Stencil Cutting and Supply Co. by Robley G. Cook, a visually-impaired individual who used the services of a guide dog and recognized the need for directional braille signs to help visually-impaired people navigate the world around them. He identified the elevator industry as the primary market for his braille sign products, and the rest, as they say, is history.
This summer, SCS joined Guide Dogs of America in their mission to transform the lives of blind and visually-impaired people through partnership with guide dogs.
Meet Our Sponsored Puppy, Kona!
Through a puppy sponsorship, SCS has provided funds that will cover all expenses from the time the puppy is 8 weeks old until it returns to campus for formal training at age 15-18 months. We were excited to learn a few weeks ago that the puppy we are sponsoring is a black lab named Kona.
For the next 15-18 months Kona will be in the home of her “puppy raiser” family. These are carefully-screened foster families and individuals who teach the puppies proper house manners and basic obedience and provide experiences that will help build the skills and confidence they need to navigate in the real world.
As Kona grows and learns new skills, SCS will get updates on her progress, including pictures and videos. Join us over on our Facebook page to follow along with Kona’s journey!
“We are very excited to be a part of Kona’s journey to become a guide dog. She is already part of our team here at SCS Elevator Products (we even have a “mini Kona” stuffed animal here in her honor) as she works hard on her training in California,” says SCS President Dave Muelken.
About half of the puppies that begin training do not end up graduating as guide dogs but are transferred to GDA’s sister program, Tender Loving Canines, to be service animals for autistic children or vets with PTSD.
“We know that no matter the final outcome, our sponsorship of Kona will be well worth it, as she will help improve the life of an individual in need. To be a part of that is truly priceless,” says Muelken.
Here at SCS Elevator, we couldn’t be more honored to receive an award for taking part in something we hold so dear to our hearts. If you’d like to learn how you can support the important work that GDA is doing, visit their website here.
SCS is the leading manufacturer of elevator jamb and cab braille and elevator signage in North America. We have built a reputation for designing and manufacturing the highest quality elevator signage, jamb and cab braille, elevator buttons, and more while maintaining industry-leading standards for customer service and on-time shipments.
