Company Gives Back to Community in a Major Way as Thanks for 40 Years of Business

PARKCITY.TV
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (April 28, 2009) — Petersen Medical— a company providing high-quality home medical equipment to Utahns and Coloradoans with in-home respiratory, mobility and medical equipment needs—celebrated its 40 years of business by conducting 40 acts of giving and service that reached throughout Utah, Colorado, nationally and even internationally. The celebration of service included community service, charitable contributions, community beautification, education and cultural contributions.
  
With six retail locations in Utah and Colorado and a corporate office, Petersen Medical was able to make a difference on a broad scale, with such acts of service as helping build a house for Habitat for Humanity, giving a Ronald McDonald House room a complete makeover, volunteering for the Special Olympics Indoor Games, providing Thanksgiving dinners and pies to select families, sending supplies with respiratory therapists volunteering in Africa, donating to flood victims and so much more.

“The 40 Days of Service was a positive and significant experience for all involved,” said Tamara Zappe, Petersen Medical’s director of administration. “We were able to live some of our core values to the fullest—to serve others first, improve lives, create friends and learn continuously—and, in turn, grow into the service-minded company we want to continue being for years and years to come. A number of our efforts will remain a constant throughout the communities where we served.”

Kevin Waterhouse was one recipient of Petersen Medical’s generosity. More than 11 years ago, Waterhouse was in a tragic accident a month and a half before graduating high school that paralyzed him from the chest down. Since then, he has worked hard at recovering and continually setting high goals for himself. One of his loftiest goals is training for the Winter Paralympics in the Triathlon competition, and, in order to compete, requires expensive training equipment. Petersen Medical provided Waterhouse with a state-of-the-art racing hand bike to help him reach his Olympic goals.

“Petersen Medical helped me get my start in competitive hand cycling,” said Kevin Waterhouse, Paralympic hopeful. “There was no way I could have afforded the racing hand bike and furthered my Olympic dreams without their help. And they didn’t give me just any bike, it is one of the best hand bikes on the market.”

Another project was teaming up with Angel’s Hands Foundation (AHF) to assist with their annual Christmas Party. AHF provides support and assistance to Utah families living with rare diseases and undiagnosed conditions. At the Christmas party, Petersen Medical set up a photo studio with lighting and backdrops to give each family a free 8x10 family portrait.

“Working with the Angel’s Hands Foundation was one of my favorite 40 Days of Service experiences,” said Josh Dunn, Petersen Medical project manager. “Many children who attended the event don’t go out in public due to their conditions or physical limitations, and seeing the joy and happiness they shared with their families at the party was inspiring for me. If I was facing a rare disease, I don’t know that I could be as energetic and uplifting as they all were. We provided pictures for them, but I feel like I benefited more from their example.

“I had just started working at Petersen Medical shortly before the 40 service projects began, and, as I became involved, I realized Petersen Medical isn’t a company striving to be a global force, but instead, a company of value. Rather than going to work to climb the ladder of success, the entire company has been focused on serving each other and the community.”

Additional examples from the 40 Days of Service include helping a 12-year-old boy who lost the use of his legs go trick or treating with his family by loaning him a power chair, planting 40 trees and working with Primary Childrens, Make a Wish Foundation, the Food & Care Coalition, the American Red Cross and more.

“Petersen Medical’s vision statement reads: From deep roots we will continue to grow, branch out, plant seeds of service and education, and be there throughout the changing seasons of our patients’ lives,” said Zappe. “With the 40 Days of Service, our vision is becoming a reality.”

To learn more about Petersen Medical’s 40 Days of Service and its ongoing community involvement, contact Tamara Zappe at 801.373.1010 or tamara@petersenmedical.com. Additional company information is also available at www.petersenmedical.com.