The staff and members of the Greater Michigan Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) took time away from the office and jobsite to give back to their community through a week of ABC Cares events. The Midland-based chapter held its first ever ABC Cares Blood Drive on April 9 and its 27th Annual Make-A-Wish Benefit on April 13.  

Chapter staff and employees from 13 ABC member companies participated in the blood drive. Twenty-three pints of blood were collected for Michigan Blood, which supplies all of the blood used at MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland, as well as Covenant HealthCare and St. Mary’s of Michigan in Saginaw.  

“We want to extend our sincere thanks to all of the member companies that came out to donate blood at this great event,” says Jimmy E. Greene, president and CEO of ABC’s Greater Michigan Chapter. “Our member companies are extremely generous in the ways they care for this community.”  

Adds Tamar Chipp, public relations Supervisor at Michigan Blood: “We are honored that ABC Greater Michigan has made such a strong commitment to mobilize its members to support the cause of saving lives in the Great Lakes Bay Region through blood donation.”  
The following ABC member companies supported the blood drive: 

• Alloy Construction Service, Inc. 
• Brady's Business Systems
• Braun Kendrick P.L.C.
• Compliance Training University
• G.E. Insulation Co.
• Jacobs Field Services of North America 
• J.E. Johnson, Inc. 
• Scientific Brake & Equipment
• Sugar Construction, Inc. 
• The Tancor Corporation 
• Three Rivers Corporation 
• Trillium Construction 
• Valley Electrical Contractors, Inc.  

While the blood drive was a first-time effort, the chapter has a longstanding relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, which grants wishes to Midland-area children suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases. In its 27th year hosting a benefit for the foundation, the chapter set a record of 364 attendees and raised $25,000.  

The evening’s activities included a children’s craft activity table and a live auction, which raised a record $8,300. More than 40 items were raffled, netting $5,000 for Make-A-Wish of Michigan. Make-A-Wish families shared their special stories of how this foundation has impacted their lives.  

“To me, the night is all about reprieve. Reprieve for the children and their families when their wishes are granted,” says Shannon Forshee, a member of ABC Greater Michigan’s Make-A-Wish Committee. “It's about bringing the feeling of relief and cheerfulness if only for a small amount of time. It's about kindness and giving to those that are going through something very difficult in their lives.”