After the results of a company-wide poll about community service indicated an overwhelming interest in helping animals, Marketing Director Kirsten Papagni reached out to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm. Located in Methuen, Massachusetts the farm acts as a shelter for animals of all kinds. Several months ago, the Columbia Cares Committee led a very successful fundraiser collecting goods for the farm including pet food, blankets, and other much needed shelter items. After seeing how appreciative the team at Nevins Farm was of our donations, the committee realized that as a construction firm we could utilize our knowledge and skills to complete various upkeep projects on site. With a list of tasks in hand, over 40 Columbia employees came together for a day of service at the farm.

With over one third of the company’s participation, Columbia was able to accomplish all of the goals set by the facilities team - and then some! At the end of the day, the fully enclosed pig barn was completely re-fenced, the fencing around the horse pasture had a few new coats of paint, and antique carriages and animal stalls were cleaned. Volunteers also worked in the memorial garden and pet cemetery, landscaping and gardening. Columbia’s efforts left the grounds looking clean and polished for the farm’s Blue Jean Ball, their number one fundraising event of the year. This year’s ball was especially momentous as the organization celebrated 100 years!  

“Thank you for such an amazing effort...I can't believe how much the group got done. It would have taken days/weeks for us to get to all of these tasks. Everyone that I talked to was so happy and helpful - I really can't say enough about how kind everyone was.”

- Heather Robertson, Director of Development

Nevins Farm is an MSPCA no kill animal shelter that accepts any and all animals in need of a safe home. Almost all animals living at the farm are available for adoption, and vary all the way from kittens to cows! They house dogs, cats, horses, pigs, birds, rabbits, chickens, ducks, cows, guinea pigs and ferrets looking for fur-ever families. Columbia’s Krystle Nowak adopted one of their cats shortly after the day of service - an adorable little kitten now named Ollie! If you would like to learn more about adopting a pet from Nevins Farm, click here. Many thanks to the team at Nevins Farm for being so accommodating, the Columbia Cares Committee for organizing this fun and rewarding event, and to all of the employees who volunteered their time and effort. It was a great day and we are looking forward to coming back next year. 

Check out more pictures of the great day below!