b'PERCEPTICStheFoundation.Giftsgivenorhoursvolunteeredby employees family members are eligible for Foundation funds, as well.FOUNDATIONOver the last 11 years, the Perceptics Foundation has donated to hospitals, schools, shelters for victims REACHES $1Mof domestic violence, animal rescue organizations, volunteer fire departments, youth sports programs, veterans groups, food banks, and more. IN GIVING JulieStropp,LeadGroundtrutheratPerceptics,has submitted applications to the Foundation for a variety of non-profits over the years. BY CASEY SELF, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING,The Foundation means a lot to me because we are able PERCEPTICS to help so many different people and causes, she said. When the Great Smokey Mountain wildfire hit in 2016, I Governedbyaboardofdirectorsmadeupofknew I had to volunteer. I spent several days working at employees and friends of Perceptics, The Percepticsa donation drop-off location, helping families that lost Foundationwasfoundedin2008asawaytogiveeverything shop for essentials. I turned in my volunteer back to the various communities to which Percepticshours and the Foundation plus-ed my efforts. The non-employees belong.profit I volunteered with was thrilled and was able to help so many more people.The Perceptics Foundation has been a wonderful thing that weve been able to support, said Perceptics CEOIn addition to individual giving, each year the Foundation John Dalton. You can tell that over the years it has hadhostslunchandlearnstoraisemoneyandbring an amazing impact in Knoxville and even around theattention to various causes that affect employees. InPercepticsemployeesareincrediblygivingoftheir world. the last year, the Foundation has hosted the Americantime and gifts, said Herrera. We want them to knowINSTEAD OF COMPANY CancerSociety,theCysticFibrosisFoundation,that what is important to them in their personal lives is The Foundation is not a typical corporate giving fund. SecondHarvestFoodBank,andYoung-Williamsimportant to the leadership at Perceptics. LEADERSHIP CHOOSING InsteadofcompanyleadershipchoosingagivingAnimal Center. Employees submit their favorite localA GIVING PROGRAM, THE program, the Foundation supports causes that arenon-profit for consideration, and the Foundation BoardCorporategivingprogramsservetoconnecta important to the individual employees and their families.chooses a recipient at random. company to the community while providing valuableFOUNDATION SUPPORTS unconventionalteambuildingopportunities.While Those that give monetary donations to registered non- Having the employees get up and talk about a causethey can take many forms, the programs that solicitCAUSES THAT ARE profits will see that donation tripled by the Foundation.that is important to them and to see all their coworkersvolunteer ideas from employees tend to be well receivedIMPORTANT TO THE Thosewhovolunteertheirtimewillseeeachhourthere to support that cause is always wonderful, saidas they feel a sense of ownership and responsibility to valued at $100, which turns into a $300 donation fromFoundation President Kim Herrera. We all get to learnthe cause. Programs that encourage family membersINDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES something new while enjoying each others companytoparticipatehelpbringthespiritofgivingback over lunch. beyondtheofficeandintothehome. A corporateAND THEIR FAMILIES.givingprogramcanbesomuchmorethanjust Additionally, each year, the Foundation chooses onedonating profits to a charity or setting up a volunteer large volunteer team event, such as honoring veteransday. It can be a chance to strengthen an organization, as part of Wreaths Across America or building homeseducateemployees,andmakearealdifferencein with Habitat for Humanity.your community. Someofmyfavoritememorieshavebeenhelping families build their Habitat for Humanity homes, saidCASEYSELF istheDirectorofMarketingatPerceptics,LLC,aKnoxville-basedhigh-Stropp.Notonlyareweworkingalongsidetheseperformance imaging company that supplies vehicle imaging systems and services to the hardworking families during the build, but we get toITS, tolling, commercial vehicle, and security markets. She also serves on the Board of the present them with the keys to their new home. ThatsPerceptics Foundation.always a very special day. 23'