Culture of Volunteerism for local Charities in Lee & Collier Counties

Friends and family members of Advanced Air present a strong presence in community where their volunteerism benefits local charities all year round.

“Advanced Air’s commitment to social responsibility and to serving people and communities in need is at the heart of everything we do,” said William A. Blaze, president of Advanced Air. “I have volunteered throughout my entire life and it’s a big part of who I am, so I infused a culture of volunteerism at our company from day one,” he explains. He added that the volunteer activities have also helped him get closer with his employees, increased employee morale and loyalty and reduced turnover. "Those relationships have gone a long way," said Blaze.

According to a survey for United Healthcare, conducted in February and March 2010 with 4,582 U.S. adults, research found that 76 percent of the 1,889 workers who volunteered in 2009 felt better about their employer because of their organization’s involvement in volunteer activities.

Most recently, Southwest Florida’s largest full service heating and cooling company, sponsored JEANS DAY, an opportunity for Advanced Air’s office employees to wear jeans on Fridays by contributing $2 per week. Last year, the company employees -- ranging in age from 23 to 57 -- contributed more than $1,000 for the opportunity to wear jeans at work on Fridays.

Later this month, Advanced Air will sponsor a team and canvas at the upcoming 7^th Avenue Chalk Art on 5th Avenue South in Naples, Saturday, January 28^th.   Chalk Art proceeds will be used to fund the Naples Pelican Bay Rotary Club’s charitable contributions, which include college scholarships for neediest local seniors, Quest for Kids scholarships, feeding the hungry with Kids-Against-Hunger, donations to local charities ranging from St. Mathews House, Sunshine Kids, Boy Scouts and the Immokalee Friendship House.

Last year, Advanced Air family and friends supported the Annual Easter Bunny Run to benefit the Golisano Children’s Hospital, the Harley-Davidson Freedom Ride benefitting the Fisher House, Guardian Ad Litem Foundation, Gulf Coast Humane Society and Collier Harvest 2016 collecting more than 257,000 pounds of food in a single day.