Who We Support And Why: Proctors Theatre and Universal Preservation Hall

Philanthropy is a Schrader and Company core value.

We have recently decided to show support to two of the most important arts venues in our region, Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, and Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, not only because they offer world-class entertainment that keeps our communities vital and fun, but because the arts need our support now more than ever.

It’s no secret that live music venues and the arts in general were extremely hard hit during the pandemic. Lockdowns and isolation kept us all indoors and away from the concerts and programs that these venues rely upon to stay open.

Both Proctors and UPH are historic buildings with long and glittering histories of attracting some of the top performers and musicians from around the world.

While we all look forward to gathering once again under their beautiful roofs to enjoy the entertainment they provide, they can count on patronage from us, and their community at large, to support their mission to bring the arts to our region for all of us to enjoy.

Fine Food and Philanthropy

Chef dinners are back!

The pandemic necessitated a long pause since the last time we were able to host (and share with you!) one of our private chef dinners, as donated by our company and auctioned off at local charity events.

In September, we were finally able to welcome the winners of our chef dinner from the 2019 Boys and Girls Clubs of Schenectady Fall Fling. Valued at $2,000, this particular event was catered by the fabulous PDT Catering Company.

The dinner for ten attendees was prepared by Chef Adam Foti, and inspired by French wine.

PDT provided everything, from the delicious food to the thoughtful wine pairings, the table settings, and flowers.

It was a magical evening, made better by the knowledge that the winning bid for the dinner was going to support The Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady. 

Their mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. They provide services to nearly 13,000 children per year, right here in our area.

We are so thankful to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady for their tremendous work in our community, to PDT Catering for putting on such a splendid event here in our showroom, and to our guests for the evening who bid on our auction item.

 

Who We Support and Why: Pitney Meadows Community Farm

We love introducing you to the local organizations that better our community and inspire us with their spirit of giving.

Pitney Meadows Community Farm, established in 2016, is one of those organizations. Pitney Meadows is a non-profit 166-acre farm in Saratoga Springs. The land is protected under the Open Space Fund, and represents a relationship between the city of Saratoga Springs and the original Pitney Farm, which has been used for agriculture since 1862.

At Pitney Meadows, customers can participate in a “pick your own” CSA. Pitney Meadows also offers garden plots for tending, hiking trails, educational programming, beekeeping, and composting. They host some wonderful culinary events with visiting chefs who make the most of the fresh produce at the farm.

Pitney Meadows is also committed to fighting food insecurity in our own neighborhoods, and one of their initiatives is providing multiple pop-up food pantries throughout the area. 

As their website states, “Our Pop-Up Produce Pantries, in partnership with many local organizations, allow us to increase the impact of our food donations by providing free, fresh produce directly to our neighbors in need. We strongly believe that everyone is entitled to access to fresh produce. Therefore, we have targeted certain neighborhoods within our region where access to fresh produce is limited.”

Ben and his family love volunteering at the pop-up pantries. It’s a simple, kid-friendly way to involve the whole family in a local philanthropy, and the kids love spending a couple of hours setting up the tent and working the stand.

For more information on Pitney Meadows Community Farm, visit their website, or check them out on Instagram or Facebook.

Thank You for Your Support of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York

2020 was a year that tested everyone’s strength and resolve. Yet even in the toughest of times, bright lights shine everywhere. One of the brightest beacons for us at Schrader and Company was you, our clients, and your loyalty, support, and generosity. This was never more apparent than when we reached out to you for contributions for our holiday philanthropic endeavor. Your response was, quite simply, extraordinary.

We made the decision to lend financial support to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. As we all know, food scarcity is a problem right here in our own communities, and the pandemic has put many New Yorkers in a more precarious position than ever before. We asked out clients if they’d be willing to donate during the holiday season, specifically to augment the Backpack Program, which helps alleviate child hunger by discreetly providing hungry children with backpacks full of nutritious and easy-to-prepare food on Friday afternoons so they have food to eat throughout the weekend. We committed to matching client donations up to $5,000 dollars.

You answered the call with the generosity and kindness we have come to identify as a particular trait of our clientele. Together, we raised more $22,000 for the Regional Food Bank, which will be used to fill the backpacks of more than 6,500 students in 240 schools across 22 counties.

We cannot thank you enough for your open-hearted and open-handed help. We are so proud to be in business with people like you.

Giving Back This Season

holiday

Dear Clients,

We are wishing you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. In this uncertain year, we are more thankful than ever for your support, loyalty, patience, and flexibility.

As we continue to weather the storm of the pandemic together, we are experiencing a healthy demand for our construction services as people look to make their homes true havens of comfort and peace. We are grateful to be able to continue our culture of giving back to our community this year.  With cautious optimism, we are undertaking a new philanthropic initiative.

Food scarcity is real, and right here at home in our communities. This may prove to be a more challenging winter than ever before for local families. We will be partnering with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York to raise funds for their backpack program, which serves local schools and provides food donations to students and their families.

Schrader and Company will be proud to match up to $5,000 in funds raised by client donations. You can donate right here, or mail a check (see details in the attached image). We will collect donations until December 20, 2020.

We thank you again for your patronage and support, and wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Best Wishes,

Schrader and Company Construction Services

Who We Support and Why: Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy

Philanthropy is a cornerstone of our company culture. We love to support local organizations that are doing good in our shared community, and we learn about new causes to support all the time.

In this case, we learned about a great local philanthropy from one of our longest term clients. In sharing their passion for the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy with us, they inspired us to get involved as well.

The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy is an environmental protection organization founded in 1992. They work to protect the natural, scenic, agricultural and cultural landscapes of the Mohawk and Hudson River valleys. To date, they have succeeded in protecting more than 12,000 acres of land in Albany, Schenectady, and Montgomery counties.

MHLC’s conservation work has resulted in 18 public preserves for hiking, cross-country skiing, and other educational and recreational opportunities. 

If you’re passionate about protecting the natural beauty of our wonderful corner of the northeast, you can visit their website and learn about ways to support the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy.

 

Thank You to the Veterans

At Schrader and Company, we are proud of our long legacy of military service. Company founder Peter Schrader enlisted in the United States Navy Seabees in 1968, served in Vietnam in 1968/1969 and at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Puerto Rico in 1970, and he was honorably discharged July 1970.

His son, and current company co-owner Silas Schrader enrolled in Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  After research and reflection, Silas chose to join the Marines, wanting to experience the very best in leadership training, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 2002. Silas was deployed twice to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2004 and again in 2005 with 3d Battalion, 1st Marines. Silas’s current Marine Reserve commitment  is with the Marine Forces Pacific out of Hawaii.

It is clear to both Peter and Silas that their military backgrounds have been extremely beneficial to their professional careers, helping them acquire skills and apply developed instincts they have used time and again in building their business and facing the challenges of everyday life. 

Because of this personal experience and connection, Schrader and Company recognizes the value in employing and supporting veterans. We are currently the only non-Union organization in the area which employees recent veterans through the Veteran’s Apprenticeship Program, a part of the GI Bill. 

Through this program, veterans earn wages and work during an apprenticeship, while learning the skills needed in that occupation. Veterans receive compensation as they learn a skilled trade, and the company benefits from the talents of these men and women who have so bravely served our country.

On Veteran’s Day, we give thanks for the sacrifice and service of veterans everywhere, most especially those within our own company. Thank you Jeff Peterman for your service as a Sergeant in the United States Army and to Mark O’Lena for your service in the United States Air Force. We are proud to employ veterans, and are so thankful for the unique gifts they bring to Schrader and Company.

Who We Support and Why: Saratoga County 4-H

Our support of local philanthropic organizations allows us to help our neighbors, and strengthens our connections to our community. It is particularly gratifying when we have a personal connection to an organization, as is the case with Saratoga County 4-H.

Saratoga County 4-H is a local branch of this national organization which defines its mission as  “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.” The four “Hs” refer to Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. 4-H programs promote a “learn by doing” ethos, and offer education in areas of agriculture, engineering, science, health, and citizenship.

The Schrader family became involved in 4-H when all three kids joined The West Charlton Super Stars in grade school. Silas recalls fond memories of building bird houses, making crafts, participating in the Saratoga County Fair, and yearly public presentations at the county offices. Leigh Schrader has also been involved in 4-H for over 15 years. She began as a young child in the Ponies and Horses 4-H club and has continued to stay involved as a mentor, presentation day judge, horse bowl coach, and has also judged projects as well as fitting and showmanship, and trial classes at the Saratoga County Fair. 

Schrader and Company has proudly sponsored the 4-H walkathon for the past three years. Silas, Leigh and their own children have walked the event in both 2018 and 2019. Their oldest daughter is getting ready to join the 4-H Clover Bud program, continuing their family tradition of 4-H service.

If you would like to learn more about Saratoga County 4-H, and the ways they are educating and supporting youth in our community, please visit their website.

Who We Support and Why: Charlton Historical Society

We love being an active part of our community and sharing with you the organizations and philanthropies that matter to us.

The Charlton Historical Society is one such organization, and because of the good work they do, as well as the fact that it is home to some of our valued Schrader and Company team members, we count them among our favorite local philanthropies.

The mission of the Charlton Historical Society is to promote and encourage original historical research, disseminate educational material on local history, and cooperate with educational institutions to gather, preserve, display and make available for study materials and records relating to Charlton History.

Learning more about our local history is always a positive thing. It links us to our neighbors and connects us to our roots. 

One of the ways we support the Charlton Historical Society is by sponsoring their Charlton Heritage 5K. We’ve enjoyed being a sponsor since 2013. Proceeds from the race go right back into the Charlton Historical Society to support their continuing good works. 

To learn more about the Charlton History Society, you can visit their website.