In an effort to celebrate and honor highly committed team members, Grade Tech has continued its long-standing tradition of donating to local charities in the name
of its employees on their work anniversaries. This month, Grade Tech is recognizing two such individuals for their performance and dedication. Mahala Velasquez and David Barlow are both celebrating work anniversaries in June. As per tradition, Grade Tech will make a donation to the charity of each employees’ choice.
“It’s always a privilege to support our devoted team members by making a donation to a charity that means something to them in their name,” Rory Hall said of the Grade Tech Giving Back Initiative. “Both Mahala and David are valued members of the Grade Tech team, but also are involved in these community efforts working to improve the lives of others.”
Mahala Velasquez is celebrating nine years at Grade Tech working as Grade Tech’s Office Manager. She is known around the building as the heart and soul of ensuring that things around the office go according to plan. Mahala has been involved with the nonprofit Ink Against Cancer for several years now which is what she decided she wanted proceeds to go towards. Grade Tech donated $1,000 to the foundation as it continues to
work to bring together national tattoo artists in an event that provides financial assistance to those in need of alleviating financial strains as they fight cancer.
Ink Against Cancer holds a fundraising event each year where tattoo artists team up with local music and entertainment professionals to provide a unique experience where donations are raised to combat financial strains associated with cancer treatment. This charity remains close to Mahala’s heart as she has lost a number of close family members and friends to cancer. Those tragic events led her to start volunteering at Ink Against Cancer fundraising events, something she has now done for several years.
“Mahala is an office backbone and we are so grateful to have had her on our team for the last nine years,” Hall continued. “Helping those engaged in their fight with cancer is something we at Grade Tech are proud to do.”
David Barlow is also celebrating a work anniversary with Grade Tech as the Foreman of Operations. When starting his professional career, David was hired by Grade Tech who proved to be a valuable member of the team. He took a brief leave of absence to start
a landscaping operation but returned to the Grade Tech team in the summer of 2020. To honor his work anniversary, David chose to support the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. Grade Tech made a $1,000 donation to the organization which continues to provide meaning to David as his family was personally touched by the hope the Make-A-Wish-Foundation provides those in the thick of health challenges.
“David has proven to be a valuable member of our team and we are so grateful for the work he has done since coming back to Grade Tech,” Hall said. “Supporting the Make-A-Wish-Foundation is something Grade Tech feels blessed to be a part of.”
Donations through these work anniversaries are all a part of Grade Tech’s initiative to give back to the community. To learn more, visit our giving back page.
