Congratulations to EZ-ACCESS, the winner of the Auburn Area CONNECT 2020 SPOTLIGHT "Impact" Award.
The SPOTLIGHT Impact Award recognizes an Auburn Area business that has had a significant cause-oriented impact in its sector and/or community and contributed to the advancement of the economy.
The 2020 SPOTLIGHT Impact Award was sponsored by the Boeing Company.
The SPOTLIGHT Awards Program is an annual initiative of the Auburn Area CONNECT Chamber of Commerce that recognizes businesses, nonprofits and community leaders in the Auburn Area, who serve the community and, through their business products/services, employee programs, volunteerism and/or mission statement, benefit and improve the Auburn Area and help our region thrive as a center of economic activity and social leadership in the South Puget Sound. Members of the community are invited each year to nominate a deserving business, nonprofit or individual leader for our SPOTLIGHT recognition. Following the nomination period, Auburn Area CONNECT board members and members of the business community vote on the nomination they believe best represents the spirit of each award.
The Auburn Area CONNECT Chamber of Commerce is delighted to recognize EZ-ACCESS as our 2020 "Impact" SPOTLIGHT Award Winner.
EZ-ACCESS, a division of Homecare Products, Inc., is a family-owned and -operated business, headquartered in Algona, Washington. Founded in 1984 by Glenda Everard and her daughter, Deanne Sandvold, and later joined by son Don Everard, EZ-ACCESS has more than earned its reputation as a trailblazer in the marketing and manufacturing of wheelchair ramps and access solutions for the residential, commercial, industrial and recreational industries. With a second manufacturing plant located in Morganfield, Kentucky, EZ-ACCESS can efficiently serve customers and communities nationwide! At EZ-ACCESS, employees are driven by a "commitment to enrich lives by providing access to life beyond barriers. (Click here to learn more about the company's history and mission.)
EZ-ACCESS was nominated for the 2020 SPOTLIGHT Impact Award based on their commitment and service to their employees and community, in addition to their success as a commercial business. As a company, EZ-ACCESS organizes frequent opportunities for their staff to give back to their community, whether it's volunteering their time at Northwest Harvest, or raising funds to support local nonprofits such as the Auburn Food Bank, Auburn Valley Humane Society or Toys for Tots. The company also participates in the annual Auburn Veterans Day Parade and, even on a weekly basis, finds simple ways to thank local veterans for their service.
And they don't stop there! EZ-ACCESS brings mobility solutions directly to those in need. Through their foundation program, volunteers from EZ-ACCESS respond quickly when they hear of someone in need of access. When such opportunities arise, volunteers make home visits to evaluate and install donated EZ-ACCESS ramps. The statement nominating EZ-ACCESS for the SPOTLIGHT Impact Award told of one such install project:
[The EZ-ACCESS] Outreach Team recently completed a wheelchair ramp installation for a couple that were both facing health and mobility challenges which prevented them from independently entering and exiting their home. Employee volunteers were able to implement this solution that allowed them to safely navigate their elevated entrances without depending on their family caregivers. Just one example of how they help provide some in the community with access to life beyond barriers.
In addition, when the COVID-19 pandemic arose, EZ-ACCESS responded quickly and effectively to protect the health of their staff and the company as an "Essential Business." Employees who were able to work from home were given the opportunity to do so and on-site workspaces were re-designed to accommodate for social distancing. While manufacturing slowed, EZ-ACCESS leadership took steps to ensure the financial stability of their employees.
As in many industries, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on business operations. However, through the crisis, as shared in the award nomination statement: "EZ-ACCESS remained profitable and kept growing." Through innovative design, EZ-ACCESS developed a new "partition" product to support social distancing in businesses, schools and other public spaces. They also re-focused their efforts to assist people in modifying their current living spaces to provide accommodations in order to remain in their homes during a time when transitioning to a care facility carries heightened health risk.
Again, as shared in the nomination statement:
EZ-ACCESS deserves to be nominated for the CONNECT Impact Award because this family run business loves helping the local community, loves watching employees grow and protecting them like family, and doing their part to boost the economy by providing practical and economical solutions to those aging in place and living a life beyond barriers.
Watch the award presentation video below:
We want to thank Deanne Sandvold and Don Everard for joining us to receive the 2020 SPOTLIGHT Impact Award. Thank you also to Karen Ankerfelt, Suzanne Whitbeck and Emily Fowler, and all the employees and staff at EZ-ACCESS for your IMPACT in the Auburn Area.
And thank you again to The Boeing Company for sponsoring the 2020 SPOTLIGHT "IMPACT" Award and supporting our local chamber.
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Learn more about EZ-ACCESS online at ezaccess.com.
Also, visit their blog, which is frequently updated with information, news articles and tips to improve access and ease of mobility in various settings, available online at ezaccess.com/blog.
Social Media:
Facebook: facebook.com/EZACCESSRamps
Twitter: twitter.com/EZACCESSramp
YouTube: youtube.com/user/EZACCESSramps
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ez-access/
