At Williams, we work hard to energize our communities. We do this both through our core business of building and operating critical energy infrastructure, as well as through our tradition of giving and volunteerism. And United Way is a major part of that tradition.

Recently, we partnered with United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania for its fifth annual “Build-A-Bike” event. Through this program, 150 Pittsburgh-area kids worked side-by-side with hundreds of volunteers from various companies and organizations to build and take home a brand new bike. For many kids, it’s their very first bike. Their new bikes not only provide their first taste of independence – the feeling we all remember our bikes providing us – but also a sense of accomplishment, not to mention a vehicle that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Build-A-Bike brings smiles to many faces, including the kids who help build and receive a new bike, as well as the volunteers. It’s all of those smiles that quickly made this one of our employees’ favorite volunteer opportunities. And it’s because of those smiles that Williams stepped up its sponsorship this year to partner with the United Way for this event by providing $25,000 to cover all of the expenses associated with the event, including the bikes, helmets, locks and entry fees for the volunteer build teams. Our goal was to help make it possible for more companies and volunteers to participate this year, and in turn, generate more smiles for deserving kids.

As we gear up for another local United Way campaign in Pittsburgh, we look back on this event with thanks: thank you, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, for making this event possible; thank you to the children whose smiles will continue to brighten our days; and thank you to all of the volunteers from some of Pittsburgh’s best companies who always strive to make our community better.

It’s truly an honor to be part of Build-A-Bike, and we look forward to more smiles next year!