In just one day, 500 employees of Ruppert Landscape will transform the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH), known locally as DC’s Old Soldier’s Home. As part of Ruppert's annual corporate social responsibility program, the Maryland-based company will host the 2015 Field Day on Friday, September 18 beginning at 7:00 a.m. More than 500 of Ruppert’s top employees will be competing in a variety of events, some fun in nature, like relay races and obstacle courses; others testing their knowledge and skills, like identifying plants and operating heavy equipment; and others that will have a direct, lasting and high-quality benefit for the AFRH.
AFRH, located in Washington, DC, is home to approximately 500 residents who are veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and other conflicts around the world. “When we began looking at potential sites, we wanted to pick a site where there was great need and where what we did would provide great benefit,” said Craig Ruppert, Ruppert Landscape CEO. “It just made sense to support our veterans who have supported our country all these years and we are happy to be using our landscaping skills to benefit such a deserving community.
This day will involve a significant investment of both time and materials, totaling approximately $150,000. Ruppert will be working with AFRH to ensure that the site improvements align with their master plan with an overall goal of encouraging residents to enjoy the property’s amenities. Site improvements will include installation of pavers, sod, perennials, grasses, groundcover, shrubs and trees. In total, over 6,000 man hours are being donated to bring this project to fruition.
Field Day is Ruppert Landscape's annual community service day that enables the company and its employees to give back to the community, combining charitable giving, training and competition amongst branches. Since 1993, Ruppert Landscape has transformed the grounds of 26 DC Public Schools, Inman Field in Atlanta and Carroll Park in Baltimore.
AFRH-Washington administrator Shaun Servais, “AFRH-Washington is thrilled to have been selected for Ruppert Landscape's 2015 Field Day. We are looking forward to seeing the outcome of numerous grounds beautification projects on our 270-acre campus. Ruppert's generous donation will honor and benefit the Veteran Residents of the Home by improving outdoor spaces for the residents to enjoy.”
