Making a difference with the Giving Project

At MKSD, we’re grateful for all we have and proud to give back to our community, especially during the holidays. Our annual Giving Project allows each team member to choose a charity they’re passionate about, and the company donates $100 on their behalf.

These donations support non-profits making a meaningful impact where it’s needed most. Below are the charities our team chose and their reasons for giving. We hope it inspires you to spread the joy of giving this season!

The Ellie Effect

”The Ellie Effect was created to remember the life of Eliana Grace Hoffman, a brave little girl who battled a severe congenital heart defect from January 17, 2018 – April 2, 2018. The Ellie Effect organizes Care Bags for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Cardiac Unit, hosts local blood drives, and participates in fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Charities and The Children’s Heart Foundation. The Ellie Effect was created to honor Ellie’s life and to be the difference for those in need, especially those in the heart defect community.” My wife and I can attest for how impactful the care bags are during unexpected stays at the cardiac center, and we thank Kim and Karl for their continual support towards the heart defect community.” Scott Focht, RA, Associate | Senior Project Architect | Technology Strategist  

Lily’s Hope Foundation

“I wanted to donate to the Lily’s Hope Foundation again this year, because of their mission statement to support babies, children, and their families with unexpected and urgent needs due to premature birth. Our twins were born pre-maturely and needed NICU attention. The attentiveness and care provided by the NICU staff helped our children tremendously during those critical first days of their lives, which led to us being able to take them home shortly afterwards.  Some families are not as lucky and are not prepared for their child’s early arrival. The Lily’s Hope Foundation supports NICU families by providing them with essential needed items since they have been unable to fully prepare for a premature birth. These include items that can often be expensive and difficult to find. Even a small amount of assistance can be an enormous help to a set of new parents, who want nothing more than to care-for, protect, and love the new addition to their lives.” Nick Hewes, RA, LEED® AP, Associate | Senior Project Manager | Architect  

Today Is a Good Day (NICU Support)

“They are a PA -based charity that supports families with children in the NICU.  When my son was in the NICU for 14 days last year, we greatly appreciated their resources during his stay. It feels nice to know there is a community of people out there who understand what you are going through.” Katie Stauffer, Accounting & Human Resources

The Sanctuary at Haafsville

“My wife Becky and I have been volunteering at the Mutt Hut of the Sanctuary since 2017. Additionally, we have fostered many dogs that needed a quiet home to relax. Our three current dogs are all foster fails from the Sanctuary. I am choosing this organization because I love how they give every dog a chance for a better life. The Sanctuary continuously admits dogs from overcrowded kill shelters or areas of the country that were victim of a natural disaster. Many of the dogs need expensive medical care in order to become adoptable. Each donation enables the Sanctuary to get the animals the attention and care they need to eventually find their forever home.” Ryan Kennedy, AIA, CSI, LEED® AP, Director of Project Management | Architect  

William Allen Arts Alliance

“Once again, I have chosen this nonprofit that is important to me. I have been a board member, previously serving as the treasurer, for several years and this year passing the torch to my son Jonas. We have raised funds to establish a computer graphics program, purchase sound equipment, send the Dance Academy on a field trip, helped purchase new band uniforms and so much more. These things tend to be cut out of a school district budget when funds are tight, but they are so meaningful to a student’s educational experience. Support the arts!” Susan Shipman, Office & Marketing Coordinator

Compassion

“We used to sponsor children through the Compassion organization, and it was so emotional to read the children’s letters. The children appreciate everything that we take for granted. Our family still donates to Compassion under the category – ‘Help where the Need is Greatest.’ Richard Deskie, Senior Project Architect | Quality Control Manager

Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley Holiday Hope Chests

“I was introduced to this organization at a young age, and I’d like to continue the tradition of putting a smile on the faces of local children this Holiday season!” Ali Higgs, Project Manager | Architectural Designer

Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation

“It’s invaluable to understand where our food comes from and the logistics for the farmer, who dedicates their life to the cause. I chose this charity because they have a mobile ag lab travelling to teach children and educators about PA agriculture, which is misunderstood. My husband and his father have a family farm, and it’s astonishing to learn just how much public knowledge regarding farming is based on assumptions (just like mine were). Children need this knowledge to protect their food sources, and to understand there is an entire community dedicated to feeding them.” Allison Moore, Interior Designer

Muscular Dystrophy Association

“At preschool age, my younger brother, Noah, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This moment had a lasting influence on my perception of life and the meaning of love and family. MDA is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization contributing to the innovation in science, care, education, and advocacy as it relates to neuromuscular diseases for over 70 years. Through research, treatments, technology, comprehensive clinical care, and offering countless resources for families and communities, their impact is undeniable. Thank you, MDA, for offering hope and support to families and empowering individuals navigating neuromuscular diseases.” Shayne Serrano, Architectural Designer

AWSOM

“AWSOM is an animal shelter located in Stroudsburg providing help to homeless and abused animals. This is the shelter we adopted our cats Smokey, five years ago, and Forstie, a year ago.” 🙂 Anna Slowik, Project Manager | Senior Architectural Designer

Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering

“As the weather gets colder, I’m grateful for organizations like Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering, which provides overnight accommodations from November to April for those experiencing homelessness. As we strive to create a world where all are housed and fed, the work of BES remains a vital part of caring for our community’s most vulnerable populations.” Laura Clifton, Interior Architectural Designer & Historic Preservationist

The Ellie Effect

“In honor of Scott’s daughter Ellie.” Kyle Fuchs, Architectural Designer

Allentown Rescue Mission

Brett Bosco, Architectural Designer

Community Music School

Cassidy Moran, NCIDQ, Interior Architectural Designer

Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley

“I believe everyone deserves stable and affordable housing. With housing prices continually rising these past few years, I believe that Habitat for Humanity is a great non-profit that has a great community of people that work hard to provide this kind of housing for families struggling to afford it.” Declan Torrence, Architectural Designer

Community Bike Works

“Community Bike Works offers programs that use bicycles and books to connect youth with adult and peer mentors. I believe that the freedom of mobility opens doors to economic, cultural and social opportunities. I’m choosing to support them because their organization helps people by educating, creating a foundation for a good life.” Peter Syzonenko, AIA, Project Architect

Tails of Valor

“Tails of Valor trains service dogs for those suffering with physical and psychological disorders affecting Veterans and First Responders. This is a great mission as it provides opportunities for animal assisted therapy for those who protect and serve our country and communities.” Jack Rogers, Architectural Designer

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

“My mom suffered from breast cancer in her 40’s and survived. 18 years later she got the disease again, but it was stronger that she lost the battle. During her treatment she asked her doctor, ‘what is the point of the treatment it is not helping?’ His response was, ‘why are you saying that? Didn’t it give you more time to spend with your beloved ones, laugh with them, attended their weddings and make more memories with them?’ And he was right, there is always a smile somewhere in the treatment journey. Hoping Susan G. Komen organization can help making more memories for many other families.” Azhar Ahmed, Architectural Designer

Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley Holiday Hope Chest

“Every child deserves to have a great Christmas and receive gifts!” Isabella Parker, Interior Architectural Designer

Moffitt Cancer Center

“I’d like to make the donation to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL in the name of my childhood friend Kevin T. Emerich. He passed away from pancreatic cancer earlier this year and this was his treatment center.” Chris Connors, ACP, Director of Design | Senior Architectural Designer

Homes For Our Troops

“I chose Homes for Our Troops because of their strong commitment to assisting severely injured veterans by providing custom-built, accessible homes that enhance their independence and provide a sense of security as they transition to civilian life.” Xavier Amancha, Architectural Designer

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

“My cousin, Diane, who was five years older than me, was more like a big sister than a cousin. I have so many great memories growing up with her. In adulthood, Diane suffered from colitis. It was debilitating and affected almost every aspect of her life. When doctors gave her the option to go on an experimental drug, she took it. For a few years, the drug was incredibly effective, and she got her life back. Unfortunately, an unknown side effect of the drug was early onset dementia. Her mind slipped away gradually. Sadly, the last time I saw her, she didn’t recognize me. Diane passed away this last year a few days before her 60th birthday. I chose to donate to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation to celebrate my happy memories of her.” Annemarie Dodenhoff, Marketing & Communications Manager