Community involvement is important to Sparton in DeLeon Springs, one of West Volusia’s oldest and largest employers and a premier defense contractor for the U.S. Navy. The holiday spirit of giving has been very gratifying, and employees have been rewarded with feelings of compassion and selflessness, which encourages them to do more.
The partnership with Capt. Camilo Rojas and Capt. Monica Rojas of the West Volusia Salvation Army in DeLand began last year, when Sparton adopted 74 children in need associated with the “Angel Tree” program.
The effort was a huge success, and now for the second year in a row Sparton’s employees enthusiastically rallied, this time adopting 110 “angels” for which to purchase toys, clothes and gifts.
LOADING THE GOODIES — Sparton President and CEO Tracy Howard, left, helps VP of manufacturing operations Scott Anderson load up toys, clothing and gifts for more than 100 “angels” from the Salvation Army’s annual “Angel Tree” program for children in need.
“Thanks to Sparton and other community partners, The Salvation Army West Volusia will be able to provide Christmas gifts to more than 400 kids in our community this Christmas season,” Camilo Rojas said.
“The Angel Tree program is something our employees look forward to each year. I am always humbled by our participation,” said Christine Cartwright, executive assistant to the CEO. “Sparton has a vested interest in our neighborhoods, and building relationships within the community is the foundation for strengthening our society.”
On Dec. 9, Sparton and Salvation Army employees joined together to load up a van with gifts for 110 local children.
“I am grateful that Sparton offers the opportunity to adopt an angel, and give them the best Christmas they could ever imagine,” Operations Technician Becky Bruno of Sparton stated. “It felt good to be able to share my Christmas with someone who may not have had it in the first place without the help of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.”
Randall Redondo, VP of production programs at Sparton, adopted multiple angels. He takes the opportunity to shop for Angel Tree toys and clothes with his daughters, teaching them the value in charitable work and getting the “inside scoop” from his daughters on the latest and most popular items.
LOOKING FOR MORE ROOM — Sparton employee Cathy Cook transfers more toys, clothes and gifts for needy children into a van from which the presents will be disbursed by the Salvation Army of West Volusia in its annual “Angel Tree” program.
“As a family, we participate annually in adopting angels to foster the spirit of Christmas for every child. We coordinate shopping for each angel with our children so they understand the importance of caring for others,” Redondo said. “We adopted six angels this year to celebrate the joy of giving this holiday season.”
In the past year, Sparton has not only bonded with the Salvation Army, but also with the United Way and specifically with Louise S. McInnis Elementary School in DeLeon Springs. A school supply drive conducted during the summer resulted in Sparton employees providing more than half of the 400-plus student body with school supplies.
Earlier this month, Sparton was honored by the Volusia Manufacturers Association with an award for social responsibility. This recognition is given to companies who balance profit-making activities with activities that benefit the society in which they operate.
For more information about Sparton, go to www.sparton.com.
IN CHARGE OF BOOSTING THE SPIRIT — Sparton Executive Assistant Christine Cartwright, left, and Sparton President/CEO Tracy Howard, right, flank Salvation Army Capt. Camilo Rojas before Sparton employees recently loaded up a van with toys, clothes and gifts for 110 children on the Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree.” Sparton employees accounted for gifts to more than a quarter of the “angels” on this year’s tree.
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