Community
We Partner with Local Schools
As a foundation to our commitment to education, we gave a total of $22,000 to 11 schools this year. Donation recipients were determined based on need in conjunction with Dothan City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Sam Nichols. Donation recipients included Ashford Elementary/High School, Webb, Cottonwood, Hidden Lakes Elementary, Grandview Elementary, Kelly Springs Elementary, Girard Middle School, Faine Elementary, Selma Street Elementary, and Landmark Elementary.
Knology plans to continue to work with local educators to assist in providing needed volunteers and to assess annual funding needs to touch as many schools as possible in the coming years.
Habitat For Humanity
We recently joined the Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity family by becoming a Habitat house sponsor. We donated $22,500 – providing 50% of the funding for a Habitat home – and has enlisted more than 50 volunteers to assist during building. We were also able to provide one-year free cable, telephone, and Internet services.
On October 7, 2006, our employees, along with family and friends, participated in the house-raising for the Newby family to be located at 1212 East Adams Street. On December 2, 2007 Family Day was held to encourage younger volunteers. The grand finale, the Newby house dedication, was held on Saturday, December 16, 2006.
The gift of giving proved contagious. Our employees reached out into the community and their local churches to organize ways others could give to Habitat and the Newby family. Other gifts included linens, canned goods, home décor items and Christmas ornaments for the holidays.
United Way
The Wiregrass United Way has served the Wiregrass area since 1938. We have supported the United Way for the past six years.
Already, our employees have pledged to give $15,867.38 during 2008.
Each year, we serve as a Pacesetter, campaigning for funds from employees during the month of August prior to the true campaign season. These early efforts provide momentum for following campaigns and challenge others to give to a worthy cause. The Wiregrass United Way currently funds 37 member agencies, serving Houston, Henry, Dale, Coffee, and Geneva counties.
Half a million babies are born prematurely each year. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many lifelong disabilities. Knology is committed to nurturing the children of our community, and helping to pave the way to a healthier tomorrow.
As a Title Sponsor for Blue Jeans for Babies, we are helping to raise funds to support research that saves babies’ lives.
As a corporate sponsor for Bike Night, we participate in fundraising each week – often to help an immediate need in the local community.
The Southeast Alabama Child Advocacy Center serves as advocates for children of abuse and aims to reduce the trauma and anxiety for child victims of sexual and severe physical abuse. Knology is a Distinguished Friend of the Center and a sponsor for National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.
During the month of April, the Center coordinates a community-wide Blue Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness and raise funds. In 2007, the Center provided 9,148 services to more than 1,300 victims of abuse.
Knology is partnering with the American Heart Association to sponsor Houston County’s Go Red for Women campaign. This is the Heart Association’s national call to increase awareness of heart disease – the leading cause of death for women – and to inspire women to take charge of their heart health.
On National Wear Red Day, February 1, 2008, community citizens are asked to wear red to show their support for the women and the heart disease awareness movement. Citizens, especially women, are also encouraged to know their numbers (cholesterol, blood pressure, weight and glucose levels), talk to their doctor, and take steps to reduce their health risks.
Knology joined in with 3.5 million people nationwide to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember those lost to cancer, and fight back against a disease that takes too much. As a Relay for Life sponsor, we took part in Relay For Life, a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gathered at the Farm Center in Dothan, AL, took turns walking laps, and cooked food for participating teams and attendees.
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.
Unweaving the Web
Knology partners with local schools and churches to promote Internet safety and encourage parent-child discussions. The 3-hour seminar, entitled Unweaving the Web: Helping Parents Recognize Dangers, Hold Discussions, & Make Decisions, focuses on three major areas: The Parent Perspective, Social Networking and Security/Home Networking. To further support the need for awareness and parental involvement, Sgt. Robinson (Juvenile Detective, City of Dothan Police Department) vividly describes what he sees and hears on a daily basis – not nationally – but right here at home.
If you would like more information on how this program can be brought to you, please contact Allyson Johnson at allyson.johnson@knology.com or at 699-1170.
Our Employees get Involved
Banding together with other area businesses, Knology and its employees are involved in task forces, committees and local events aimed at business growth, educational opportunities, and workforce development. Employees devote time and energy to Leadership Dothan, the Young Professionals Group, and ENVISION.
ENVISION is comprehensive planning effort that allows citizens, elected leaders and business owners to identify key issues to address so that continued improvements can be made in the Wiregrass area. As a part of this effort, Knology employees participate in the Technology and Grow the Economy task forces.
Various other civic organizations, such as the local Rotary Club and Kiwanis International, gain valuable volunteer efforts from local Knology employees. Kiwanis means “we share our talents.” Knology volunteers believe in doing just that as they seek out ways to serve the community and children through this organization. Likewise, the main objective of Rotary is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. And, Knology employees are, once again, privileged to have the time and talent to contribute to these efforts.
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