Category: Philanthropy

Giving Thanks

Like all of you, we are looking forward to sitting down later this week with friends and family and giving thanks for the many good things in our lives. This time of togetherness is so important for every one of us. It affords us an important opportunity to reflect on our good fortune and pause in a moment of gratitude.

We at Schrader and Company are so thankful for our wonderful clients and the trust they place in us to better your homes and lives. We are so appreciative of the incredible talent and dedication of our team of employees and all of the gifts they bring to the table. And we are thankful that we have had the opportunity over the years to connect to our community, and support a multitude of wonderful local philanthropic organizations.

rebuilding together If the spirit of the season has you thinking about ways to give back in the capital region, we’d like to suggest partnering with any of the below organizations. We have had enriching experiences with each of the foundations listed below and can attest to the good work they are doing for our friends and neighbors.

You will note that “Toys for Tots” is listed below, and we have a toy drop box located in our own office. That box will be available for you to drop off a new, unwrapped toy until December 15th.

However you celebrate this week, we wish you good health, good cheer and a grateful heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A suggested list of local charitable organizations:

–Toys for Tots

–Rebuilding Together of Saratoga County

-SNAC Pak

–Shelter Box

–Ainsley’s Angels

–Habitat for Humanity

-Your local Rotary Club

–Saratoga Bridges

–Saratoga Hospital Foundation

–Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region

In honor of those who serve

Peter and Silas Schrader - proud veterans On this Veteran’s Day, those of us at Schrader and Company wish to send our deepest gratitude to all of the men and women who have served our country. We need look no further than to our own company founder Peter Schrader and current co-owner Silas Schrader to witness the integrity, selflessness, and strength of our nation’s veterans.

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.

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 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. He was again deployed to Norway for Operation Cold Response with Fox Company, 2d Battalion, 25th Marines in 2010. Silas was promoted to Major in February of 2013.

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.

“My military experience has afforded me the opportunity to work with all different kinds of people all over the world,” says Silas. “I’ve gained a perspective on life and working under pressure.”

Theirs is a hard-won view, and the harsh realities of armed service and their sacrifice make clear what is so often easy to ignore; Life is short. You must do what you love, and do it to the very best of your abilities. This passion has helped shape Schrader and Company into the rarified small business success it is today.

Peter formed this company with the Seabees “Can Do” motto in mind. Silas cites two specific military creeds as being especially translatable to his work with Schrader and Company: “Semper Fidelis”, meaning “always faithful”, and “Ductus Exemplo”, meaning “leadership by example”.

Legions of satisfied clients can attest to the importance of faithfulness and reliability to the employees of Schrader and Company.

We are so proud of both Peter and Silas, and think of them with sincere gratitude and appreciation today, and every day.

Rebuilding Together – Cock N Bull Dinner

Earlier this month, we were thrilled to host the second in our series of private chef dinners won by lucky bidders as part of our “Rebuilding a Better Tomorrow” initiative.This month’s prize was won at a gala event in support of Rebuilding Together Saratoga County which renovates and revitalizes homes for low-income families across our region.

This time, the guests of honor were Mike Tuck and friends and family. The chef for this evening’s festivities was Rick Sleeper, the owner of The Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant, a beloved capital region institution for forty years. In a huge show of generosity, Rick donated his time and talents for the evening.

Together with his creative director Andrea DeCiero, Rick presented the crowd with a sumptuous fall feast in keeping with his “farm to table” philosophy, which has been a staple part of The Cock ‘n Bull since it’s conception.

A great time was had by all, and we continue to revel in the sense of community and philanthropy that the “Rebuilding a Better Tomorrow” initiative has sparked. We thank Rick and the Cock ‘n Bull for their generosity and delicious cuisine, and the Tuck family for sharing the evening with us. We look forward to more celebrations as additional private dinners are scheduled.

The Spirit of Service at Schrader & Co.

Ben and Silas form the Habitat for Humanity Student Chapter at RPI and in 2002 win 700th campus chapter and a visit from Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity

When Ben Cangeleri and Silas Schrader took the helm at Schrader and Company Construction Services, Inc., they knew that a spirit of service would be a defining characteristic of their leadership of the business.

Both Ben and Silas come from strong backgrounds rooted in community philanthropy, having been the founding members of the 700th chapter of Habitat for Humanity at their alma mater Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

In their roles as President and Vice-President of Schrader and Company, Ben and Silas are committed to continuing that tradition of community involvement and volunteerism in the greater capital region. Their combined efforts are diverse and multi-focused, but with the common denominator of a hyper-local focus.

Silas, Ross, Jeremiah and Will volunteer at Camp Chingachgook during Rotary District Conference

Ben is the chairperson of the Community Service Committee for Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs, and helps coordinate and facilitate many service projects. Saratoga Rotary provides support to such notable causes as The Salvation Army, Rebuilding Together, Trees for Tributaries, SNACPak (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children), and The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, among others. Rotary Club of Saratoga raises extensive funds and funnels all money back into the community via scholarships and by meeting the requests and requirements of various local causes.

Silas is on track to become the future president of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Rotary, which does such good works in the community as fundraising for the Food Bank of Northeast New York, providing support to the Cleft-Craniofacial Unit of Albany Medical Hospital, providing scholarships for local schools, and raising funds for community events like holiday tree lightings and concerts, as well as beautification of parks and other public areas.

In addition to these individual endeavors, Ben and Silas have led Schrader and Company in their “Rebuilding a Better Tomorrow” initiative, in which they paired with some of the best charitable foundations in the greater Saratoga area and donated spectacular auction items to support their fundraising efforts during last summer’s charity gala season.

Ben and Saratoga Spring Rotary volunteer with Rebuilding Together

“We don’t have one cause or theme to our volunteer work,” says Ben of the company’s varied philanthropic pursuits. “We instead try to focus on meeting needs wherever we see them in our local communities, and give of our time and support wherever we can make a positive difference.”

“We see service as both a personal value and a company value,” adds Silas. “A small business can only survive by being invested in the health of the community that supports it. We all live here, and are raising our families here. We want to see our neighbors and neighborhoods thrive and if we can help, we will.”

Hosting the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Rotary Club

As many of you will know from following our “Rebuilding a Better Tomorrow” initiative, we as a company have prioritized our local philanthropy efforts in recent months, learning about worthy causes that impact our greater capital region and partnering with the wonderful organizations who strive to make a difference in our communities.

One such organization is the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Rotary, and Schrader and Company, Inc. Vice-President Silas Schrader is a proud board member, on the ladder to become the organization’s president.

On the global level, Rotary defines itself as “a network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad.” In operation for more than 110 years, rotary brings together passionate, motivated citizens to take action against the world’s most persistent issues. There are over 35,000 individual Rotary clubs.

The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Rotary Club is in involved in all kinds of good works, including fundraising for local schools, support for regional food pantries, and providing educational platforms for such issues as clean water and the eradication of disease.

On April 3, Silas hosted fellow Rotary members for their meeting at the Schrader offices, and was able to share the Schrader and Company mission and history with these other involved citizens. Silas’s wife Leigh Schrader is also a membership chair for the Burnt Hills Ballston Lake MOM’s Club.

For the first time, the MOMs club will be joining Rotary by hosting a kids craft table at a popular annual fundraising event, a pancake breakfast on April 29th. Proceeds from the event will benefit the local Burnt Hills Ballston Lake community. Details can be found here.

We are proud of Silas’s involvement in such a worthy organization and the strong community connection he shares with Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. We look forward to learning more from him and this excellent club in the future.

An enjoyable Client Appreciation Event and fundraiser for a great cause

On Tuesday, February 7th we will gather with our valued customers for another fun Client Appreciation Event. We look forward to hosting these gatherings. It gives us a chance to reconnect and celebrate the unique relationship we enjoy with the families who entrust us with the improvement of their homes, and who are such a vital part of our success.

This year we will gather at The Cock N’ Bull Restaurant in Galway, and enjoy a wine tasting with food pairings created using delicious locally sourced ingredients.

We will also be fundraising for an extraordinary cause, and supporting a local family who are pushing past barriers to achieve mobility for their son, and for children everywhere. Ainsley’s Angels of America is a national organization that defines their mission as striving to ensure that everyone can experience endurance events, including those in the special needs community. They aim to build awareness about America’s special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life, by promoting awareness, providing education, and participating as active members in local communities.

Here in our own community, the Evans family is doing their part. In 2015, Shaun Evans and his son Shamus, who has cerebral palsy, ran 3,200 miles across the Unites States, from Seattle to New York City on behalf of Ainsley’s Angels. They were supported in their journey by their family and pit crew, mom Nicole and younger brother Simon. Along the way, the Evans family presented over 30 running chairs to other children, so that they too could participate in endurance events and experience the freedom and joy of rolling in the wind.

This summer, Team Evans will once again run to provide the gift of mobility to children and their families, this time journeying along the Mississippi River, a distance of over 1,700 miles.

We are thrilled to lend our support to the Evans family and Ainsley’s Angels in this worthy venture. It is sure to be a special evening.

To learn more about how you can support Ainsley’s Angels of America and “Power to Push” (the Evans Family Team) click here for information, visit them on their Facebook community page or their website.

Chef Mark Hannon Dazzles at Inaugural Private Dinner

On Friday, November 18th we were so pleased to host the first in a series of private chef dinners won by lucky bidders as part of our “Rebuilding a Better Tomorrow” initiative.

At Saratoga Bridge’s “White Gala” in July, we donated a prize package for the live auction that granted the recipient a private dinner and wine pairing for ten in our beautiful showroom prepared by The Lake Placid Lodge’s Executive Chef Mark Hannon, and complimentary concierge service to coordinate guest details and transportation.

Chef Hannon, who has trained and cooked all over the globe from Dubai to Bangkok and worked with such culinary greats as Michelle Bernstein and Michael Demaria, is one of the premiere chefs in upstate New York. He now delights diners with his elegantly prepared, locally-focused cuisine at the most exclusive resort in the Adirondacks.

On the evening of the private celebration, the guests of honor were the Mangino family–owners of successful local businesses Mangino Buick GMC and Mangino Chevrolet. They arrived with their guests to a lovely autumnal table, as prepared by Christine Wheat Special Events. We were thrilled to welcome them into our showroom and offer a true front row seat to such a rare culinary experience.

From there, Chef Hannon took over, captivating the crowd with his thoughtful and decadent menu and wine pairings to complement the carefully chosen notes and flavors of each course.

The event was a rousing success, the company warm and congenial, and the cuisine spectacular.

We look forward to celebrating with the other winners of the private chef dinner packages auctioned over the course of the summer and fall. Chef Hannon and the wonderful Mangino party of guests have certainly set the bar high.

You can learn more about Chef Hannon and The Lake Placid Lodge here. For information on Mangino Buick GMC and Mangino Chevrolet, visit their website here.

And watch this space for more updates on our “Rebuilding a Better Tomorrow Initiative”.

Celebrating Rebuilding Together

Volunteers, partners, sponsors and supporters gathered on October 13th to celebrate Rebuilding Together Saratoga County at their annual fundraiser. It was a fantastic night to laud this organization and the meaningful work they do to help our neighbors in need restore and repair their homes.

Held at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga, the evening kicked off with a cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by a lovely dinner and then the live auction. We are so pleased that our donated package of a private chef dinner for ten at the Schrader and Company showroom with Rick Sleeper of the Cock ‘n Bull went to the highest bidder for $1,600.00. The evening raised a total of $75,000.00 for this wonderful organization.

These funds will go on to benefit Rebuilding Together and every homeowner who is helped by their care and attention, like the recent recipient of Rebuilding Together Saratoga County’s services who spoke at the event. This homeowner had long suffered from a chronic illness which left her housebound and isolated. Rebuilding Together worked to provide her with a much-needed ramp. The simple act of being able to collect her own mail for herself gave her a sense of control and independence. Schrader and Company President Ben Cangeleri himself has volunteered in her home doing other various projects to improve the space, and by extension the homeowner’s quality of life.

Her moving testimonial is just one example of how seemingly small home improvements can hugely impact the lives of individuals with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and families in need.

We are proud to support Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and their efforts to restore pride of ownership to our neighbors across the capital region.

To learn more about Rebuilding Together, visit their website.

fundraising philanthropy Rebuilding Together Saratoga County

Rebuilding Together – Fundraiser Information

We are so looking forward to this Thursday’s fundraising event to benefit Rebuilding Together of Saratoga County, our local chapter of the National Rebuilding Together Organization.

This annual event brings our community together to raise both needed funds and support for this incredible group and the invaluable work they do to improve the homes of our neighbors in need. Whether it’s making modifications to an existing home to accommodate a disability, providing weatherization or critical home repairs to low-income families or the elderly, or beautifying a community gathering place, Rebuilding Together works to restore pride of ownership to hundreds of capital region citizens.

This Thursday, October 13th we will join with them to celebrate their cause, which resonates strongly with all of us at Schrader and Company.

To help in their efforts we have donated another one of our enticing private chef dinner packages, this time featuring Rick Sleeper of the Cock ‘n Bull restaurant. A dinner for ten in our showroom and concierge service to coordinate all details awaits the lucky winner with highest bid at the event’s auction.

Tickets for Rebuilding Together’s Annual Fundraiser at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga are still available. You can learn more by CLICKING HERE.

We’ll be back with a re-cap and photos of the event soon!

Rebuilding Together – The Cock ‘n Bull

October 13th marks the Rebuilding Together Saratoga County Annual Fundraising event at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga. We will be there to show our support for this wonderful organization and the work they do to improve the homes and lives of our neighbors in need.

We have donated another private chef dinner package for their auction, and Rick Sleeper of The Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant, a beloved capital region institution for forty years, will be delighting the winner and his or her lucky party of guests at the Schrader and Company showroom.

Rick is the owner of The Cock ‘n Bull, a nineteenth century barn turned year-round dining establishment, which is as proud of it’s fine American cuisine as of it’s unique rustic ambiance. For The Cock ‘n Bull, the “farm to table” food movement is no new trend. Rick has long fostered special relationships between his restaurant kitchen and local growers, championing both healthy food and our regional economy. The Cock ‘n Bull is also a great place to catch local musicians, who take full advantage of the barn’s great acoustics.

If the thought of perfectly prepared steak, an extensive wine list, charming atmosphere, and excellent music appeals to you, don’t miss out on your chance to enter our contest to win a $200 gift certificate to experience The Cock ‘n Bull for yourself. CLICK HERE for details.

We are confident the bids at the Rebuilding Together auction will be plentiful for this tempting prize. Watch this space for more information about the event and our Rebuilding a Better Tomorrow Initiative.