While most will be pausing to reflect on what they’re thankful for on Thursday, one local company got a jump on expressing their gratitude this year. The Thrasher Group – a full-service architecture, engineering, and field services consulting firm – spent the last 40 weeks showing appreciation to their clients and communities.
Founded in Harrison County, WV in 1983, Thrasher spent 2023 celebrating 40 years in business. In that time, the company has worked with countless cities, towns, and organizations across the Mid-Atlantic region to improve infrastructure of all types. The firm chose to commemorate the milestone by thanking those who have been so instrumental in reaching this hallmark year.
“Whether it’s designing a water line extension to provide clean water to residents or it’s renovating schools so that students have the best educational environment possible, our work is inherently community-based,” said Director of Marketing and Business Development Heidi Handley. “So it’s really important to us to find ways to show our appreciation for the communities where we live and work. That’s the mission we live every day, but it felt particularly important to go the extra mile this year.”
The company chose to do so with a 40 Weeks of Giving campaign. Thrasher randomly selected 40 different clients and asked them to identify a cause or charity near and dear to their community that they would like to direct Thrasher’s donation toward. Then, the Thrasher team made a $1,000 contribution to that cause on their clients’ behalf.
Many of the selected programs centered right here in this region, like Young Life Nicholas County (selected by the City of Summersville), North Bend State Park Foundation (chosen by the Town of Harrisville), and the Doddridge County Family Resource Network (Doddridge County School’s cause).
Overall, though, programs were wide-ranging and touched all types of initiatives – children’s organizations, historical preservation, animal shelters and humane societies, food security, arts and culture, and so much more.
“It was truly touching to get to learn about all of these organizations, let alone contribute to them,” Handley said. “I personally am really thankful to have been a part of it, and Thrasher is truly grateful to have had the opportunity to continue partnering with so many of our communities this year.”
The initiative wrapped up last week with a visit to the Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway, selected by Community Care of West Virginia. Thrasher staff members brought their monetary donation as well as non-perishable food items and spent the afternoon helping to pack holiday food boxes for those in need.