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A Day of Community Service for NPI and BCLT
South Burlington, VT – January 17, 2006
January the 16th, 2006 marked the 20th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday. The date also marked Network Performance Inc.'s fourth annual Community Service Project. The entire staff of NPI has spent at least one day involved in community service for more than 10 years. Four years ago the company decided to associate their efforts with Dr. King's philosophy of community service and make the holiday "a day on, not a day off". The focus of this year's service is the problem of affordable housing in Chittenden County. We will be teaming with the Burlington Community Land Trust (BCLT) to assist their efforts to improve the availability of affordable housing in our area.
From our office in South Burlington, NPI serves the business computer networking and security needs of companies all over Vermont and parts of New York and New Hampshire. A fifteen year presence in the industry, NPI's certified professionals provide secure, reliable networks for all levels of business. Over the years this expertise has been used to help worthy organizations like Spectrum Youth & Family Services, Community Health Center of Burlington, and VT Campaign to End Childhood Hunger to name a few. Burlington Community Land Trust was chosen this year because BCLT is an excellent example of Dr. King's commitment to community and innovative thinking.
BCLT is helping hundreds of families in the area to secure decent affordable housing. This past year BCLT completed three projects that resulted in 76 new homes: a farmhouse duplex in Jericho, fourteen homes in Shelburne, and their largest effort yet, 60 condominium units in South Burlington. In 2005 the Trust expanded the number of perpetually affordable homes to 380 and educated 365 households in the NeighborWorks Home Ownership Centers (152 graduates purchased homes). BCLT also builds and manages rental properties, fulfilling a tremendous community need for safe and affordable housing for low and very low income citizens.
NPI spent approximately 100 hours certifying wiring, updating software and hardware, reconfiguring resources and making sure the computers are free of internal dust bunnies. Have to admit that we found a few dust buffalos along with the bunnies! One computer is being rebuilt as was past saving. The 'Day On' will continue until all the problems identified are repaired. NPI will also help BCLT plan the new office they are planning. As John Burton, the President of NPI said, "The NPI goal this year is to improve BCLT's computer systems to free their time and funds so they can do what they do best - making the American Dream come true for more people each year."
The time spent at Burlington Community Land Trust was a pleasure. Rarely do the support, sales, and technical staff members get a change to work together. We rely on each other every day, but working shoulder to shoulder is a treat. The camaraderie was shared with the members of BCLT on hand to help. A long lunch on Church Street allowed us to get to know one another, and learn more about BCLT's mission, relax, and just have fun. Everyone worked a full day with a couple of hardy souls continuing on until 7pm. No one wanted to leave their task unfinished.
BCLT Director Brenda Torpy, and Finance Co-Director, Mary Houghton, were with the crew on MLK Day. Mary helped greatly with the prep work that a project like this requires. Both helped answer the myriad of questions that arise when several computers are being updated, cleaned, repaired, and/or moved all at once. More than 30 computers were worked on in total.
Brenda and Mary also welcome any questions about BCLT and/or the Martin Luther King Day project that you may have. They can be reached at BCLT's main telephone (802) 864-2608 or via email. Brenda Torpy is btorpy@bclt.net and Mary Houghton is mhoughton@bclt.net.
Dr. King called on everyone to come together to strengthen our communities and improve living conditions for all. He believed that great strides are made by practicing "creative altruism". BCLT is doing just that, and NPI wants to be sure they have the tools needed to keep doing this excellent work – today and tomorrow.
For more information please contact Chantal Bade at 802.859.0808 or .
