Since his first job as a paperboy, Pat Sheehan learned about giving back. Through their example, his parents taught him the responsibility of setting aside a portion of his pay for others. “They emphasized the idea of giving what you can. The amount wasn’t important. It was all about participating.” Elaine Sheehan had a similar on-ramp to philanthropy when she was awarded scholarships to attend college. “I made sure, when I was able, to pay back the college, and then some. I never forgot that.”
When their granddaughter was diagnosed with cancer, they saw the community rally around their family, giving more meaning to their passion for inspiring further generosity. On a Make a Wish trip with their granddaughter, Pat read a book called “Give Kids the World” that gave him the idea of expanding philanthropy at their IT business, DMC Technology Group. “I thought, ‘We can do this. We can harness DMC and our team to make a real difference. As a locally-owned business, we have made it a priority to give back to the local community we serve.’
The program is called DMC Gives Back. It consists of 2 parts, treasure and service. When an employee donates 1% of his/her earnings to a local 501c3, DMC contributes $4,000. This is managed by the Community Foundation. In addition, employees get 3 paid time off days a year to perform service work in the community.
“The goal is simplicity,” says Elaine. “Employees can choose their own service projects, but we also offer group opportunities.”
Steven Kern, a DMC employee, has taken advantage of both the financial and PTO components of DMC Gives Back. He has struggled with mental health challenges, and through his wife, a social worker, became aware of The Cocoon, a women’s domestic violence shelter. “I’ve struggled with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. But I have so many people who are supporting me and helping me get better. I couldn’t imagine being in a position where someone in my life was making it harder to heal. The barriers are bigger with victims of domestic violence.”
Steven has used his PTO to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, Camp Miakonda, and The Cocoon. The Cocoon is Wood County’s only comprehensive domestic and sexual violence advocacy agency which provides emergency safe shelter as well as community-based services to all survivors. Steven uses his skills in landscaping at The Cocoon to assist in creating a welcoming green space which includes a native prairie, an outdoor yoga and meditation space, walking trails, and pergolas with benches, for those at the shelter.
“Having a beautiful green space should not feel like a luxury. It should be a part of the human experience, no matter who you are.” Steven is passionate about raising awareness of domestic violence in the community, a pervasive issue that is easy to forget.
Pat and Elaine are passionate about creating a giving culture at DMC. Their future plans involve rallying around a ‘transformational project’ where all 30 employees can be involved together giving back. “No one is self-made,” Pat reflects. “We are where are today through God’s blessing and the support of our families and community.” Elaine is eager to share and learn from other companies that want to inspire philanthropy within their organizations. “Nothing about DMC is extraordinary when it comes to being able to do this. If we can make this happen, any company can.”