Waukesha center of excellence takes top honors for community service
After a tragic incident during the Waukesha, Wisconsin, community’s 2021 Christmas parade, INNIO Group’s Waukesha team increased its sponsorships and participation in community events hosted by the city. Those initiatives garnered the INNIO Group's Waukesha Center of Excellence the top community service award from the Southern Gas Association.
Always community focused, the Waukesha facility has been a member of its namesake city since 1906. Its community support became even more pronounced following a Nov. 21, 2021, tragic incident during the city of Waukesha’s annual Christmas parade.
To help bring the community together and honor the city’s strength and resilience, the Waukesha team participated in the following activities:
- Providing a parade float during the city’s 4th of July parade, a staple of Waukesha’s Independence Day celebrations. The float showcased INNIO Group’s reUp program for remanufactured Waukesha engines, which are produced at its facility in Waukesha. Employees accompanying the engines along the parade route handed out goodies to the crowd.
- Sponsoring a free concert in a local park as part of the city’s Tribute Tuesday program.
- Sponsoring a movie presentation as part of the city’s Monday Night Movies in the Park series, a favorite with city of Waukesha families.
- Offering a multitude of free, family-friendly activities during Waukesha Unlocked, an initiative in which the city of Waukesha invites businesses, churches, historical landmarks, and others to open their doors and give members of the community a behind-the-scenes look at what takes place at their facility. The Waukesha team’s offerings included a petting zoo, face painting, and bounce houses. Additionally, guests were invited to tour INNIO Group’s reUp remanufacturing operations for Waukesha engines, giving attendees a glimpse into how INNIO Group and its Waukesha brand support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
- Sponsoring Operation Honor: A Salute to Veterans. Each November, the city of Waukesha hosts a free dinner and musical performance for active-duty military personnel and veterans, as well as their family members and friends.
The Southern Gas Association announced the community service award in June during the Natural Gas Connect conference and expo in Louisville, KY.