May 25, 2008 — Corporate travelers from afar opened their hearts and their wallets over the weekend to make a difference in the community and lend a hand to make life easer for a Contant family with two handicapped children.
Michael Szabados, chief operating officer of NetScout Systems, presented a check for $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity of the Virgin Islands at a corporate-incentive gathering. Honoree Tony Swanson and his wife matched the $10,000 donation. Later 40 NetScout volunteers took up hammers and nails under the hot St. Thomas sun to enhance a local home.
Volunteers, who were staying at Marriott Frenchman's Reef, made their way to a home in Contant where Merryll and Maria Parker have lived since 1983. Medical bills related to their two daughters, Gigi and Lisa, have prevented the Parkers from completing the home, said a news release from Habitat.
On Saturday the NetScout volunteers built a 100-foot ramp that will make it far easier for the Parkers' children to come and go. Volunteers also removed years of refuse from the site, built a rock garden on the property and beautified the neighborhood , the release said.
NetScout worldwide held its annual corporate awards recognition program on St. Thomas this weekend, bringing more than 200 employees who had earned special recognition in the corporation. Corporate incentive trips often include community-service projects.
Judi Nagelberg of Island Meetings and Incentives, who arranged Saturday's project, has organized other volunteer workdays with clients at the Bethlehem House, the Nana Baby Home and the Old Unity Lodge.
First lady Cecile deJongh, who has been a prime mover in the development of Habitat for Humanity locally, stopped by to meet the volunteers and thank them for their initiative.
"NetScout serves as a prime example of good corporate citizenship," she said.
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