CHELMSFORD — Kronos employees and interns may have won the first Kronos-UTEC basketball game, but UTEC’s young adult clients walked away the true winners.
Following the Wednesday afternoon game, Sarah Sheehy, Kronos’ director of strategic sourcing and chair of the GiveInspired Committee, surprised UTEC with a $35,000 check — the giant kind, which the youth were happy to pose for pictures with.
It was the second installment of a $105,000 promise to UTEC over three years, and only one of the ways the two entities have partnered.
Members of UTEC took a trip to Kronos a few months ago to provide a demonstration of the organization’s mattress recycling program, and got excited when they saw Kronos’ new basketball court, UTEC Director of Youth Promise Tom Southerton said. One of the company’s attorneys suggested they play against one another, said Kronos Vice President of Global Sales Operations Barb Vlacich, who recently joined UTEC’s Board of Directors.
“They love basketball, so the chance to play on an actual court with a scoreboard, especially when there’s refs, makes it all that more real and more fun for them,” Southerton said.
In addition to the game, food and other goodies, the event highlighted the rap stylings of three UTEC members: Adrien “Duke” Vega, Felix Nieves and George “G-Laz” Lasanah.
UTEC played hard and put up a good fight, but the Kronites — as the company calls its workers — ultimately won the game 53-40.
Southerton said Kronos has been a great partner for UTEC, providing resources to help the organization continue its workforce education programming that helps its members succeed.
Sheehy said Kronos’ GiveInspired philosophy is to empower the next generation workforce in the company’s communities, and Kronites support partner organizations in a number of ways, including grants and volunteering.
“It’s really important to us, when partnering with a grant partner or charity, not just to give money but to get very involved,” she said.
Sheehy said UTEC is a preferred caterer for the company, which also sends new hire groups for dinners at UTEC. She said Kronos will also hold a career fair for the young adults to learn about different jobs in the company.
Vlacich said they hope their efforts to support UTEC help to highlight its work and encourage the broader community to take advantage of its services.
“They always think of us and it’s really wonderful to have their support,” said UTEC Senior Development Manager Raeann Whalen.
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