Building Communities From the Inside Out
Community means everything to me; it always has. Whatever I do, I want to be helping other people — to be a part of something bigger than myself.
Giving back has always been a strong focus for our family. My husband is a veteran; when he was deployed, it really opened my eyes to needs I hadn’t been aware of before. I feel fortunate to have been able to talk to so many others about what they were going through and determine what kind of support they needed. It’s a mindset I’ve taken with me ever since.
Home Is Where the Heart Is
I live in rural Wisconsin (U.S.), surrounded by rolling hills, woods and farmland. It’s the kind of place where folks always look out for each other.
I probably know more about what’s going on in Neillsville than most; I used to manage a local bank here. After my work experiences and being on the home front during two deployments, I understood the importance of volunteering and took it upon myself to get involved.
Before I joined Atmus, I already knew a lot of the nonprofit organizers in town. That was handy, as I came here because of our volunteer program. I was looking for a way to make real differences in the communities I call home.
When I started at this company, our Neillsville team was volunteering, but needed a way to involve everyone within the building. I saw opportunities to leverage my community connections and expand the impact the Atmus team could make year-round. What started as a community initiative has grown into an organizational culture in which people feel empowered to bring their ideas, passions and causes forward and make a difference every day of the year.
Creating a Culture of Caring
Most of my colleagues here in Neillsville work on the shop floor, so we had to build our approach from the ground up. We developed grassroots systems to make volunteer opportunities visible and accessible to everyone. Now, we talk about upcoming events in our monthly all-employee meetings. We post flyers near the break rooms and send out emails regularly. But a lot of what we do comes down to good old-fashioned word of mouth and personal connections. We introduce new employees to our volunteer culture right away, so they know it’s part of who we are.
Now, colleagues come to me with ideas. They tell me what they care about, and together, we figure out how to make it happen. Whatever it is we do, our efforts all start with a simple question: How can we help?
One such conversation started recently outside of work with our local librarian. She came to me with an idea for a Storybook Trail, where children of all ages can experience the joys of reading while walking a path in one of our beautiful parks. As a parent and an avid reader, I thought this was a wonderful idea. We wrote a grant to help fund it, organized a team to install it, and even participated in the ribbon-cutting. One of our team members captured a photo of his children walking the trail, reading the story. That moment reminded me why I do this work. It’s not just about volunteering; it’s about building something lasting that brings people together.
Last year, a fire ripped through a neighboring town, a town many of my colleagues call home. One of the damaged buildings was the community’s only food pantry. It served dozens of local families, then suddenly, it was gone. Our employees were heartbroken. They didn’t wait to be asked. They came straight to me, wondering, “What can we do?” We organized a major food drive. It was one of the fastest responses I’ve seen — and a powerful reminder of how deeply our people care about their communities.
Another time, someone heard the Neillsville food pantry was running low on supplies, specifically cereal. It seems like such a small thing, but for families who rely on that meal, it’s huge. We put out a call for cereal donations and our team came through once again. We ended up donating hundreds of servings of cereal to the Neillsville food pantry, helping to keep their operation running smoothly. It was such a simple act, but it made a real difference to many.
Leadership support has been a huge part of making this work. Even in a production environment, where every minute counts, our leaders are willing to get creative. They help us find ways to balance deadlines with impacts. They make space for people to show up for their communities, and that matters more than I can say. Whether it’s covering shifts, adjusting schedules or simply encouraging participation, they make it clear that volunteering isn’t just allowed; it’s encouraged.
This Is Me
Volunteering isn’t in my job description. But it’s at the core of who I am and who we are as a team. I believe people thrive when they’re encouraged to explore their passions. And I also believe that real leadership is showing up, listening and creating space for others to do the same.
Our culture of caring at Atmus has evolved into something that extends beyond our walls. We partner with nearby employers, host joint events, and collaborate on community-wide efforts. When folks have needs, they know they can call us.
To me, making a difference isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about consistency, kindness and care. This is the work that matters. And I’m so grateful to do it alongside people who believe that, too.
