Westlake Chemicals employees pose with clients and staff at the Marshall Coutny Exceptional Center following donation of an iPad.
The Marshall County Exceptional Center is making use of a new iPad thanks to a donation by Westlake Chemicals of Calvert City.
The company made the donation last month after contacting the center to identify how it could help. David Huyck, plant manager, said employees raise funds which are matched by the company to assist local agencies.
“We have a community outreach here at the plant — a committee of employees — that raise funds throughout the year,” Huyck said. “The employees are very much engaged in this. We don’t want to make a big deal about it, we just want to do what we think is right. We’re not the only ones doing it, several of these other plants do it, too.”
Huyck said employees presented staff and participants with the iPad, case, headphones and shirts.
Westlake employees also assisted Marcella’s Kitchen, Cassidy’s Cause in Paducah and HOPE Unlimited in Benton. Huyck said employees will be volunteering their time at the Sheriff’s Boys and Girls Ranch in Calvert City to clean up and make repairs before summer begins.
For MCEC, Director Lindsey Walker said the gift will have a significant positive impact on clients, especially those with conditions impacting their speech. There are apps available to help autistic and other non-verbal individuals communicate easier and more effectively.
“They approached us, which is phenomenal,” Walker said. “We had been unable to purchase iPads or new technology because we just didn’t have the funds. This is a tremendous tool for us. I really appreciate the people at Westlake coming to us and asking what we need.”
To learn more, or to donate to the center, visit them online at https://m-c-e-c.org/default.aspx.