News & Insight

Messer pledges $25,000 to Redwood for specialized playground equipment

The Messer Construction Co. Foundation recently presented a $25,000 grant to Redwood, a Northern Kentucky organization that provides enriching educational, therapeutic, and vocational services to children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities, helping them achieve independence and reach their highest potential throughout life. “At Messer, we’re committed to building better lives for our customers, communities and employees,” said Messer Vice President and Cincinnati region leader Steve Eder. “We’re pleased to present this grant to help further Redwood’s mission. “Growth is a central to everything we do at Messer – growing our employees, growing our community – but few places can enact growth more meaningfully than Redwood. When they told us about their needs and how they aligned with their mission, it resonated with everyone in our room. Needless to say, we couldn’t be more proud to assist an organization that impacts growth and education the way Redwood does.” Redwood will use the grant money to help fund the replacement of its aging specialized playground equipment with a new coated-steel fabricated play system. The improvements aim to provide a safe, accessible and engaging play environment for the roughly 100 children it serves, ages 4-16, with and without disabilities. Renovations have already started and are slated for completion in October. “The children and I are so excited for the renovation of our specialized playground,” said Redwood’s Director of Educational Care, Katrina Proud. “The playground is more than just a fun area for the children. It teaches the children to socialize appropriately in large and small settings while balancing their flow of energy to be more productive in the classroom. Plus, the extra sunshine truly puts smiles on their faces." Messer Human Resources Vice President Karen Pawsat, who has been involved with Redwood for six years and serves on its board, sponsored the organization for Messer’s grant. “I couldn’t be happier to see Messer and Redwood come together,” Pawsat said. “Messer builds amazing buildings, and Redwood builds amazing lives. “After six years of working with Redwood, I still marvel at how real their mission is and the level at which it is brought to life. These improvements will go a long way in furthering that impact.” The new, barrier-free playground will include a large, elevated play structure accessible by ramps, transfer systems and stairs, as well as ground-level equipment like swings, an easy-rocker see-saw style rider, rocking bridge, “drop shot” and activity panels. The project is designed with the growth and development of children with all types/degrees of disabilities in mind, aiming specifically at their cognitive, social and sensory-motor skills. Redwood offers the most comprehensive range of disability services in Greater Cincinnati. Last year, it served more than 800 adults and children with severe and multiple disabilities via more than 450,000 hours of service. It provides a wide range of innovative programs and services aimed to address needs, close service gaps, promote independence through technology, and help those who have no other opportunities available to them. Its programs include educational care, prescribed pediatric extended care, therapeutic intervention, adult day supports and vocational supports. In only its 11th year of existence, the Messer Foundation this year donated its 900,000th dollar to community organizations from across the company’s nine regions of operation.