Westinghouse in the Community
Gadsden Elementary School SC TEST Pep Rally, Career Day, and 12th Annual Rainbow International Charity Golf Classic
CFFF participated in the Gadsden Elementary School SC TEST Pep Rally. This time of year, the students participate in various state-mandated tests. They are tested in Reading, Math, Science, and Writing. The Pep rally was held to excite students about the upcoming tests and encourage them to do their best. CFFF donated four bicycles to be awarded to the students who score the highest in each area.
CFFF employees spent time with the students at Piney Woods Elementary School for the 2023 Career Day!
On May 10, CFFF co-sponsored and participated in the 12th Annual Rainbow International Charity Golf Classic. This event raises money for mothers living in Columbia and battling stage four cancer. CFFF is a proud continuous supporter of this worthy cause.
CFFF Co-Sponsor 2023 Lower Richland Sweet Potato Festival
For a second year Westinghouse CFFF co-sponsored the 2023 Lower Richland Sweet Potato Festival. CFFF spent the day at the local community event designed to bring together, family, friends, and community.
CFFF Donates to Richland District Two- Ready2Read
CFFF employees collected 350+ new books for the Richland District Two- Ready2Read program.
Thanks to the generosity of our employees, 70+ children will receive 5 books each to enhance their reading skills during the summer break.
Westinghouse Joins the 2023 IMARA Woman's Magazine-Circle of Influence Leadership Summit & HBCU Scholarship Awards Program
On Tuesday, March 28th, the IMARA Woman's Magazine hosted the 23rd Anniversary and HBCU Scholarship Awards Program in conjunction with their Circle of Influence Leadership Summit.
The Westinghouse Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility was this event's proud first-time sponsor.
The IMARA Woman's Magazine's mission is to empower women of color by being a source of inspiration on health, professional development, education, business, and family issues.
Each year during this event, students attending a Historically Black College or University receive a scholarship to assist with the cost of college. Many of these students are the first in their families to go to college. With the help of sponsors, IMARA Woman's Magazine has donated more than $65,000 in scholarships since the start of its scholarship program. This year, Westinghouse sponsored a $1,000 scholarship to Ms. Karringtin Daughtry, who attends Allen University, Columbia, SC. Karringtin is majoring in Biology, and her goal is to pursue a nursing or healthcare management career.
Westinghouse is proud to be a part of Karringtin's college journey.
"Sponsors like Westinghouse help to make this possible."- Wendy C. Brawley, Publisher & CEO IMARA Communications Group, Inc.
The Columbia Fuel Fabrication Team at Robert E. Howard Middle School Career Expo
On Thursday, March 30th, the CFFF team attended the Robert E. Howard Middle School Career Expo, Orangeburg, SC. During the event, The CFFF team spoke with 300+ students about Westinghouse and their careers.
W.J. Keenan Coding Comets Robotics Team at the FIRSTsc Regional Championship
The Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility sponsored the W.J. Keenan Coding Comets Robotics Team at the FIRSTsc Regional Championship. The students won the "Rookie Inspiration Award."
The Team's mission is to create equitable opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Their primary goal is to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and literacy skills in students.
Hopkins Park - Senior Healthy Hearts Drive Thru
On Wednesday, February 22nd, CFFF sponsored the Hopkins Adult Activity Center's 2023 Healthy Hearts Drive-Thru for the third year. During the event, we provided healthy food, essential household items and N95 masks to 150 senior citizens in the local community.
"Once again Westinghouse has stepped up to support the community. We are grateful for the involvement and support.”
CFFF Holiday of Giving
During this Holiday season, the CFFF team sponsored and participated in the following events:
J.U.M.P.S. Annual Holiday gift boxes give-a-way- 600 holiday food boxes were provided for those in need in the Lower Richland community.
Volunteered for the Drop Everything and Read Story time with the 1st graders at Gadsden Elementary.
We also held a toy drive for the Palmetto Children's Hospital to support children who would not be home for the holidays. Due to the employees' generosity, we donated two big bags of toys for the children.
Also, the Columbia Fire Brigade, WIN chapter and site employees hosted the annual Christmas Party for the children with special needs at Busbee Elementary School in Wagener, SC. During the visit, they read stories, played games, and presented the children and teachers with Christmas gifts the plant and employees provided.
Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization
The Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Revitalization program partners across the U.S. with residents, community leaders and organizations to best address real concerns and improve people's lives in local neighborhoods.
Our Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) team members joined efforts with local residents for a Habitat for Humanity event on Saturday, November 19 to support a building project to grow safe and affordable housing options. This is part of the site’s ongoing partnership with the non-profit to help the greater Columbia area.
A very big THANK YOU to Cory McGoldrick, Jin Liu and Victor Singleton for volunteering to represent the Westinghouse CFFF facility and for living our values and supporting the communities where we live and work!
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Columbia Fire Brigade Visits with Elementary School Students to Promote Fire Safety
Once again, in recognition of Fire Prevention Month (October), the Columbia Fire Brigade visited Gadsden Elementary (Hopkins, SC) and Busbee Elementary (Wagener, SC) to educate students on fire safety. The students (Pre-K thru 5th grade and special needs) and teachers had an opportunity to meet the firefighters and get familiar with what they looked like in full gear. The brigade led a fire safety demonstration comprising a presentation, Q&A, and hands-on exercises to teach the students the importance of having a fire escape plan at home and what to do if they are ever caught in a fire.
The Columbia Fire Brigade remains committed to promoting and teaching Fire Safety to the youth in our community.
CFFF Co-Sponsors Luncheon for Senior Citizens in the Community
On September 22, our Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) proudly co-sponsored the 31st Annual Senior Citizens Healthcare & Fun Day Luncheon held at Seawell’s in Columbia, South Carolina. This was our first year participating in the event.
The annual event provides senior citizens on fixed incomes in the community with free health and wellness checks, bags with fresh fruit, vegetables, and household necessities, among other items.
There were 815 senior citizens attended this year’s luncheon, many of whom live in rural areas within the community. They enjoyed health and wellness testing, gifts, lunch, and a fun day out.
CFFF team sponsors week-long summer camp for children and teenagers in Columbia - Lower Richland area
Last week, the Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) sponsored a dynamic, week-long summer camp for children and teenagers in the Columbia – Lower Richland area.
Ranging in age from 8 to 17, the 50 participants engaged in the following activities throughout the week:
- STEM Projects
- Entrepreneurial seminars
- Life skills training
- Financial literacy
- Introduction to music production
- Reading comprehension
- Beginner web training
- Computer skills
- Etiquette skills
- Cake decorating
- Painting
Beyond adding new skills to their toolkits, they also had a lot of fun. CFFF partnered with Faith and Hamilton Jacobs, the Bridge Over Foundation founders and camp organizers.
2022 Hopkins Middle School Sneaker Ball
Westinghouse sponsored the 2022 Hopkins Middle School Sneaker Ball. The Ball is an end-of-year celebration to commemorate the accomplishments, hard work, and promotion of the 8th-grade class.
Congratulations to the future Class of 2026!
Our CFFF Team Stands Hand in Hand with the Community
At Westinghouse, we're proud to serve the communities in which we operate. Most recently, our Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) team showed its support of the local community by participating in two events - both of which Westinghouse was a corporate sponsor for. On May 11, CFFF participated in the 11th Annual Rainbow International Golf and Auction Tournament that raises money for mothers living in Columbia and battling stage four cancer.
To date, the foundation has gifted a little over $390,000 to 27 mothers in need. This year, Westinghouse recieved the Legacy Partnership Award for our continued support of the tournament.
And on May 14, the Lower Richland's Unity in the Community Peace Walk took place.
The walk's goal was to raise awareness on the issue of gun violence and support the families of the victims. The support of the entire community is needed to solve youth gun violence.
Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) Team Partners with the American Heart Association to Support Local Families, Promote Healthy Eating
The Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) was recently a proud Beyond the Table sponsor of the American Heart Association’s 2022 Midlands Heart Ball held on April 1 in Columbia, South Carolina.
This annual event held by the American Heart Association (AHA) supports families in under-resourced communities across the Midlands region of South Carolina by promoting healthy eating, increased access to healthy foods and beverages as well as educational resources around preparing healthy meals.
As a sponsor, Westinghouse helps the AHA raise awareness of critical health issues in the region with the aim of improving and saving lives in the Midlands and beyond.
“We are so excited to have Westinghouse on board with the Heart Ball this year as a Beyond the Table sponsor,” Kinsey Besser, director of development at the AHA, said. “Thank you for your work and Westinghouse’s generosity! We are excited for next year – and hope that Westinghouse would like to join us again for this event!”
Reaching Out a Helping Hand - Our CFFF Team Provides Aid to Two Local Groups in Need
On Monday, February 28, CFFF sponsored the Hopkins Adult Activity Center's 2022 Healthy Hearts Drive-Thru for a second year.
The event provided more than 140 senior citizens in the Hopkins area with essential personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks, tissues and antibacterial wipes to help protect against COVID-19. They also received bags filled with healthy snacks (oranges, apples, crackers, multi-grain bars and bottled water).
As senior citizens have been one of the most vulnerable groups throughout the pandemic, this partnership helps us contribute to ensuring that this group within our community has the PPE they need during these times.
"Words cannot express our gratitude to Westinghouse for supporting our event." - Carletta Wilson, Event Organizer
In a separate community outreach effort, the CFFF team donated $5,000 to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in support of veterans in the Columbia, South Carolina area. Established in 1920 by World War I veterans, DAV is a 501(c)(4) organization that helps disabled veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their families through various means. Its mission is to empower veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity.
The funds donated will go toward providing everyday essentials for veterans in the area.
CFFF Team Donates to Local Make-A-Wish Foundation
On November 10, our Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) Fire Brigade/Response Team presented a $5,000 check to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Make-A-Wish is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in the U.S. that helps fulfill the wishes of children between the ages of 2 and 18 years old battling critical illness.
The check, made possible through CFFF employee donations, was accepted on behalf of the Make-A-Wish Foundation by Mary Silverberg, Regional Development Officer. “Thank you again for your generous support,” she said. “We currently have 471 South Carolina children who are battling critical illnesses and waiting for their wishes to be granted – 79 of those children live in the Midlands. Your donation helps make these wishes possible!”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation operates through its 59 chapters located across the U.S. as well as in nearly 50 other countries through its 39 international affiliates.
CFFF Donates Safety Supplies to Hopkins Adult Activity Center
The Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility donated COVID safety items (masks, hand sanitizer, wipes, and hand soap) for care packages to 100 senior citizens at the Hopkins Adult Activity Center’s Valentine’s Day Celebration.
CFFF Staff Joins Leaphart Elementary’s “Ladies Love Math” Virtual Event
On February 12th, Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility employees Eris Speights, Melanie Burley, and Tiffani Teachey participated in Leaphart Elementary’s “Ladies Love Math” and shared how they apply math in their careers and everyday life.
Westinghouse is committed to serving the communities where our employees live, work and do business.
Our CFFF employees participate in a broad range of community service initiatives in the communities in which they live and work. You can learn more about recent activities below.
Dear Members of Westinghouse Electric Company:
The United Way of the Midlands Reading Consortium (MRC) would like to extend a special thank you to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, for assisting Meadowfield Elementary School in Richland School District One, by donating tablets for PreK students. Principal Davis and staff have been working diligently to secure devices for students with no success until connections were made with your company!
United Way of the Midlands Reading Consortium is a partnership between United Way of the Midlands, Fairfield, Lexington, Richland, Newberry, Orangeburg County School Districts, local colleges and community partners. The primary goal of the initiative is to recruit and train volunteers, to tutor children, who need the most assistance with improvement in reading proficiency and language development. The Midlands Reading Consortium supports the efforts of schools to close the achievement gap by giving students the supportive services needed for academic success.
On behalf of the United Way of the Midlands and the staff of the Midlands Reading Consortium, we sincerely thank you for the contribution.
CFFF Emergency Brigade Provides Easter Treats to Local Healthcare Workers
On Thursday, April 9, the Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) Emergency Brigade provided cheer in the community during a time when COVID-19 and social distancing practices have changed how families and friends celebrate Easter.
Members of the CFFF Emergency Brigade delivered 100 chocolate bunnies, the children and grandchildren of CFFF employees made over 100 thank you cards for the nurses and first responders at our facilities and critical care units in and surrounding Columbia, South Carolina. The Brigade also supplied lunch to four shifts of healthcare workers.
Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility participates in Bridge Creek Elementary STEAM-M Day Expo
On Thursday March 12th, CFFF’s Jordan Knerr, Tiffani Teachey and Eris Speights visited Bridge Creek Elementary in Columbia, SC, to participate in their STEAM-M Day Expo. The Westinghouse team presented an introduction to atoms and electricity. The school is currently teaching students lessons on matter and phase changes, i.e., water to steam. The CFFF team explained how different elements are composed of various sized atoms and the process of nuclear fission. They also led an exercise where students were asked to construct their own atoms by using gumdrops, marshmallows and toothpicks. Jordan, Tiffani and Eris demonstrated how water can be boiled and changed into steam powering a turbine to generate electricity. The students and presenters had a great time talking about chemistry and electricity!
Third Annual Richland School District One Secondary Education STEM Showcase
On Thursday, January 23rd, the Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) participated as a Corporate Community Partner at the 3rd Annual Richland School District One Secondary Education STEM Showcase. The showcase displayed various STEM projects from students in schools within the local community from grades 6-12. The goal of the event is to support and share information with teachers and students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This event was a great opportunity for us to share information about Westinghouse, what we do at the Columbia Plant, and our contribution to developing cleaner, stainable, safe, and efficient energy with teachers, parents, local officials, and the future STEM leaders within our community.
Columbia Employee Tiffani Teachey Publishes First Children’s Book
Congratulations to Columbia’s own Tiffani Teachey, on the publication of her children’s book : “What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z”!
What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z is an inspiring and easy-to-read alphabet picture book that teaches our next generation about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers. This book provides colorful illustrations of six diverse children representing various STEM careers (i.e. astronauts, doctors, scientists, and engineers, etc.), helping children (5 to 8 years old) see themselves in one of the STEM careers, and motivates them to shape their future through STEM. Tiffani is a senior mechanical engineer at the Columbia Fuel Fabricating Facility.
Columbia Holiday Sharing and Caring
The Columbia Fire Brigade and Columbia employees started the Christmas holiday season by giving back. The Columbia plant held a toy drive for the Palmetto Children Hospital to support children who would not be home for the holidays.
Also, on Thursday, December 12, 2019, the Columbia Fire Brigade and Columbia WIN held a Christmas Party for the children with special needs at Busbee Elementary School in Wagener, SC. During the visit they read stories, played games, made slime and presented the children and teachers with Christmas gifts.
Columbia Receives WAIT Award
Congratulations to the Columbia Wildlife And Industry Together Team (W.A.I.T.) on receiving the 2019 Midlands Adopt-A-Highway Group of the Year award. They received the award at the Keep the Midlands Beautiful “Gala for a Greener Midlands” on November 22, 2019.
Westinghouse Sponsors A Walk for Education
The Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility was the corporate sponsor for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) A Walk for Education (AWFE). The Columbia Quarterman Group (Westinghouse’s networking organization for African‑American and other minority professionals) participated in this NSBE AWFE event which was a great opportunity to increase awareness of opportunities available in college among the community. The volunteers canvassed the community and distributed 100 bags of information on college admissions, vocational schools, financial aid. Volunteers also helped with the onsite College Fair and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities at the Hyatt Park Community Center.
Columbia Fire Brigade Visits with Students to Promotes Fire Safety
In recognition of Fire Prevention Month (October), the Columbia Fire Brigade visited with elementary students to educate them on fire safety. The students had an opportunity to meet the firefighters and to get familiar with what they looked like in full gear. The brigade then led a fire safety demonstration comprised of a presentation, Q&A with the children and hands-on exercises. The students learned the importance of having a fire escape plan at home, reminding their parents to change the batteries in the smoke alarms and what to do if they are ever caught in a fire.
The Columbia Fire Brigade is committed to promoting and teaching Fire Safety to the youth in our community and conducts the fire demonstration for children each year. This year they visited Gadsden Elementary (Hopkins, SC), Mill Creek Elementary (at the Columbia Facility sponsored by Columbia Wildlife and Industry Together [W.A.I.T.]), Busbee Elementary (Wagener, SC), Corbett Middle (Wagener, SC) and Kennedy Middle (Aiken, SC). Roughly 330 students were able to participate in this year’s Fire Safety trainings.
Columbia Employees Team Up to Clean Up
In September, several employees joined other members of the Columbia Wildlife and Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) team for community beautification projects. A clean-up of the Congaree River resulted in the recovery of 34 tires and 11 bags of trash. 10 days later, an Adopt A Highway clean-up event saw the collection of 49 bags of trash and other discarded objects. Their continued hard work and dedication has awarded our Columbia W.A.I.T. team with the Richland County 2018 Adopt-A-Highway Group of the Year, as part of the Keep the Midlands Beautiful campaign! Congrats to the team on their well-deserved recognition!
Columbia Fuel Fabricating Facility Hosts Back-to-School Drive
In our continued efforts to be good neighbors within our local community, CFFF held a donation drive for critical needs, including pencils, pens and notebooks. Twenty-five boxes of school supplies were delivered to the Gadsden Elementary School in Gadsden, S.C. on Tuesday, August 20, 2019. The teachers and staff were overwhelmed and very grateful by our support.
The CFFF plant family looks forward to continuing our relationship with the Gadsden Elementary Blue Jays as we work to build and maintain our relationships and outreach efforts in the local community.
Congratulations to our Westinghouse Columbia Fire Brigade (featured here executing training exercises), which is now recognized as a fire department.
They have met the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for an industrial fire brigade. This allowed them to receive this recognition from South Carolina's Office of State Fire Marshal. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to safety!
