PPG's Abilities First Network (AFN) recently sponsored a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® project at Flying Horse Farms in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. Flying Horse Farms is a medical specialty camp that provides healing, transformative experiences for children with serious illnesses and their families.
PPG employees beautify Ohio medical camp for children and their families
The children who attend camp may have a variety of illnesses, including cancer, heart conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, blood disorders, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders and facial differences. The camp experience is designed to help children “leave sickness behind" when they attend and enjoy their time.
For this special project, the AFN assembled a 'One PPG' team, including individuals from our Allison Park, Barberton, Columbus Architectural, Delaware and Strongsville locations, as well as other employees across various strategic business units. Volunteers at this event assisted with yardwork, cleaning and painting in the dining hall and the “Wellnest" medical building.
“It was inspiring to see this group of employees offer their time to beautify Flying Horse Farms, an institution whose mission mirrors our own in the AFN," said Jonathan Hurwitz, director of finance, SCM, and commerce pillar lead of the AFN. “To give back to a team that allows those with serious illnesses to live life to their full potential is extremely rewarding."
PPG has had an existing relationship with Flying Horse Farms through John Lewis, a PPG Refinish retiree. He and his family established a partnership with Flying Horse Farms after his daughter Emily attended the camp. Read about their story and what the camp meant to their family by following this link.
“This event was a personal one to many of us in the Refinish organization because of John's connection to the camp," said Chris Dewes, regional manager, automotive refinish and PPG Foundation liaison. “I believe the work we did will make a difference in the lives of the children that attend camp, and I am grateful for everyone's participation."