Steve Wagner, Live United

The year 2011 may go down in the record books as another tough year for most as economic turmoil created feelings of uncertainty and a tightening of pocketbooks. Nevertheless, employees of Larson Manufacturing once again are charging ahead to respond to this year’s Freeborn County United Way capital campaign while recognizing that these times are not the time to cut back in giving but rather a time to give generously when the need is greatest.

“Paying it forward” is not just a trendy term for employees at Larson; it is part of the company culture. For years Larson has lead the way in community giving at a corporate and local level in a variety of ways. Whether giving to the local United Way of Freeborn County or even more directly to area food banks and other organizations in need — Larson Manufacturing continues to make contributions with its small local employee base supporting needs however they can.

This year’s United Way capital campaign is no different and Larson Manufacturing looks to set new goals for employees for the 2012 capital drive.

“We are particularly humbled by the generosity of our employees,” said Jeff Rief, Chief Executive Officer of Larson Manufacturing. “Giving back to the communities we do business in is an ideal that has historic significance for our employees.”

This year employees at the Albert Lea Larson Manufacturing Central Distribution Center have been charged with attaining a new goal in 2012 of 90 percent participation; a goal that will not come easy but is believed to be attainable. United Way giving during the last campaign in Freeborn County resulting in a $95 per employee average gift with 50 percent participation of the Albert Lea Larson Manufacturing workforce.

This year’s goal has been communicated and defined to meet or exceed that amount again with even greater participation.

The employee contribution last year of $4,200 total which was then equally matched by the Larson Foundation was great gift back to the Freeborn County United Way. Despite this great contribution last year, this year Larson hopes to exceed it through yet another challenge to Larson employees.

Though supporting the United Way corporate wide is a long standing tradition for the company, so is Habitat for Humanity. Every holiday season, Larson employees look to give a gift to owner and chairman of the board, Dale Larson, in recognition of his generosity. For many years Larson Manufacturing has given their storm door product and other supporting capital gifts to Habitat for Humanity supporting its national humanitarian mission.

Acts of individual kindness also abound at Larson day to day. “Caught in the Act” is a feature in the company newsletter that showcases people who go above and beyond to help others. Articles have included such acts of benevolence as volunteerism, fundraising for nonprofit organizations such as the American Cancer Society, as well as contributions to the veterans’ Honor Flight.

Throughout the year the employee activities committee in Albert Lea, as well as each company location’s committee give back locally in the communities in which they reside in a variety of ways.

From Larson committee lead efforts of giving time and talents to individually lead small projects through clubs and organizations, employees have led fund raising and community giving projects to benefit the local food pantries, back to school projects, Junior Achievement, the Boys and Girls Club and many other community organizations.

The employees at Larson Manufacturing have discovered that contributing their skills, their time, their donations and a little sweat is not only valuable to the community; it is even more gratifying in times of need.

 Steve Wagner is the manager of the distribution center that Larson Manufacturing has in Albert Lea.