By Ana Gore
New hiring and a record sales year for S&C Electric spelled good news for local charities, who collected nearly a half million dollars Wednesday.
The Rogers Park-based electrical equipment manufacturer gave $493,500 to three local organizations, the result of a company-wide annual appeal. The funds represented employee contributions, along with a 150% company match, a company spokesperson said.
“We enjoyed a record year in sales,” said S&C Chief Executive Officer Kyle Seymour. “This is a reflection of that.”
This was the most successful fundraising event the company has ever had, said Laura Sarabia, chair of the campaign and the company’s Manager of Creative Services.
The largest award went to Misericordia, which is located across the street from S&C and has long benefitted from the company’s support, both in terms of financial support and employing Misericordia residents.
Misericordia, which helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live more independent lives, was given $223,935.
Misericordia representative Martha Floberg, on hand to collect the check, called it “an incredibly generous gift.” She said the relationship between Misericordia and S&C goes back many years, both in terms of donations and with many residents working for the company. Two Misericordia residents were on hand for the event. One works at S&C currently. The other is retired.
Also receiving checks were representatives from the United Way, and Community Health Charities.
S&C Electric, which is employee-owned, has about 3,000 employees globally, 2,000 of whom work on the Rogers Park campus, a company spokesperson said. The firm has been based at the corner of Ridge and Devon since the early 1950s, Seymour said.
