After zvelo held its Q1 Quarterly Company Meeting in the morning, its employees headed over to Project C.U.R.E.’s International Headquarters in nearby Centennial, Colorado. Project C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment) was founded in 1987 and its mission is to identify, solicit, collect, sort and distribute medical supplies and services according to the imperative needs of the world. In addition to its largest distribution center in Colorado, Project C.U.R.E. also has five other distribution centers and eight collection centers across the United States.
When we arrived at Project C.U.R.E., we were greeted by with smiles and asked to sign in through their volunteer system online. Next we were ushered into their meeting room where a video was shown to us about the history and impact that Project C.U.R.E. has made through its ambitious initiatives such as
C.U.R.E. clinics, C.U.R.E Cargo, C.U.R.E. Kits, Kits for Kids, C.U.R.E. Coffee, and more. While on the way to the room, I was drawn in by a huge map on the wall with colorful push pins indicating all the places across the world where this incredible non-profit had made a difference.
Next, our tour guide took us through the shipping, receiving, storage, sorting, pre-sorting areas of their distribution center which I can best describe as unbelievably massive. So much medical equipment is donated every day to Project C.U.R.E. that was either no longer used or never had been used. Our guide pointed to crutches, wheelchairs, and other medical equipment and said: “Can you believe that they were going to throw this stuff in the garbage when there are so many people who could use it and don’t have access to it or can’t afford it?”
I honestly can say that I have not thought about the amount of medical equipment that must wind up in our landfill. Now, I have.
Following the
tour, zvelo employees paired up with Project C.U.R.E. staff and experienced volunteers to
help sort and pre-sort medical supplies. I helped by counting out 50 wooden tongue depressors and putting them in a plastic bag to be included as part of the C.U.R.E. kits. Each kit includes 2,000 USD of donated medical supplies that can be taken on an airplane to an under-served region of the world. As I counted the tongue depressors, I imagined the faces of all the children and adults who would open their mouth to one of these tools across Armenia, Belize, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic and other countries in dire need of medical supplies.
Other zvelo employees volunteered in the pre-sort areas where they diligently separated various types of bandages, antibiotic ointment, tubing, and other medical supplies.
Our data scientist at zvelo experimented with their computer system and printed out label that was stored within
their database system. This label went on a box that was to be stored within their warehouse. Project C.U.R.E. is an industry leader among non-profits charities with efficient and accurate inventory systems, supply chain management, expert management of logistics and strong in-country relationships.
I felt as though my hours were well spent at Project C.U.R.E. I am so fortunate to work for a company like zvelo that cares about volunteering within its own neighborhood to help out other communities across the world.
Here’s what some of the zvelo employees have to say after spending an afternoon at Project C.U.R.E.:
“It was a very powerful experience to volunteer at Project C.U.R.E Denver with zvelo. I had no idea the sheer volume of medical supplies that are being wasted. Their warehouse was FULL of usable supplies that would have just been thrown out! The work Project C.U.R.E is doing to make sure these supplies get a second chance and get to people who need them is wonderful. This is definitely a cause I’ll be donating both my time and money to in the future.” —Taylor Mabry, Strategic Accounts Manager
“I was able to connect with some on the Engineering team in a more personal way … getting to know them a bit more outside the office was helpful.”
—Cordell BaanHofman, VP, Business Development
“It’s great to be able to give back by helping those in need and even better when you can do so with your friends and co-workers. I’m grateful to work at a company that cares enough to give us the opportunity to work together for great causes such as Project C.U.R.E. I thought of the recipients that would be getting the boxes we packed full of medical supplies and it gave me hope for humanity that there are programs like this around, and that so many people volunteer for this and other fantastic causes that are making a difference in the world.” —George Goldstone, Technical Account Manager“I had no conception of the significant amount of useable medical equipment and supplies that are simply ‘thrown away’. In Colorado alone, DAILY pickups from area hospitals are made for such supplies and equipment. I found it interesting that items I viewed as “waste” could be repurposed without the need for refurbishing.I was humbled to realize how fortunate I (and my family) are in regards to available medical services. I was proud to take part in such community service tasks and look forward to doing more. It got me thinking as to how I can personally donate items, time and money to further support the project.”-– Jay Rollings, SVP Service and Delivery
