Callanan Cares: A Legacy of Giving Back
Read the full article in NAPA Quarterly.
MARCIA DOYLE
CONTRIBUTOR
When Callanan Industries won New York State’s very first road-building contract more than 140 years ago, they laid more than asphalt – they built a foundation of community involvement that endures today.
This infrastructure leader, operating across 17 facilities throughout New York, has woven community service into the fabric of its Callanan Cares program. It’s one of the many reasons NAPA honored Callanan Industries with a 2024 Community Involvement Award.
“We take a lot of pride in giving back to the community, whether it’s through financial support or volunteering,” said April Clas, Callanan Industries’ Human Resources Director. This pride translates into remarkable action: during 2024 alone, nearly half of Callanan’s 440-plus person workforce donated an estimated 1,400 hours giving back to their communities.
CARING ACROSS COMMUNITIES
Callanan Cares takes an inclusive approach, participating in volunteering or funding 71 community programs in 2024.
“We try to support a variety of organizations as we give back to our markets,” Clas said. “This includes everything from food banks to homeless advocacy organizations to animal shelters. We also encourage recommendations from our employees.”
The company tracks its donations and volunteer activities, “and we absolutely try to do more each year,” she noted.
“Our goals are to do more, continue to diversify, and get more people involved,” Clas said.
Callanan employees gravitate toward hands-on volunteer opportunities where they can connect directly with those they’re serving, according to Clas. The company’s partnership with Trinity Alliance – a multiservice organization that operates a food pantry – exemplifies this preference.
“We got great feedback when our employees helped distribute food,” Clas said.
Clas also noted that volunteering fosters camaraderie, especially within a workforce that’s spread out. “It gives them a chance to spend time with people they wouldn’t normally interact with and to work at something they know is positive and helpful,” she said.
More examples of past activities include reading books about construction to kindergarten and first-grade students, hosting blood drives, painting rooms at a children’s center, and harvesting at a regional food bank farm.
LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT
Callanan’s volunteer initiatives hold particular significance for company president Don Fane. “He has a passion for philanthropy, and it absolutely radiates throughout the organization,” Clas said. “He fully supports all of our volunteering events.”
This personal commitment is evident through the company’s involvement with the Reverse Rett Upstate New York Fall Festival, which raises funds for Rett Syndrome Research Trust. This cause has deep meaning for Fane, whose grandson Barrett lives with Rett Syndrome. Through combined efforts from company staff and community supporters, the 2024 fundraising campaign generated an impressive $360,000.
SHOWCASING INFRASTRUCTURE’S VITAL ROLE
Another event, the 2024 Bridgeville Community Day, hosted at Callanan’s Bridgeville, New York quarry, helped demonstrate to nearby residents the essential role that quarries play in their community.
Designed with families in mind, activities included digging for fossils, rock painting, balloon animals, plus the biggest attraction of all – getting to climb on the equipment. Additional draws included guided quarry tours, refreshments, and participation from local fire and police departments.
“It’s a way for our neighbors to get a better understanding of what we do and how essential it is,” Clas said. “It’s also great for our employees to bring their families so the kids can see what their parents do.”
Another aspect is recruiting. “We want people to come away with the impression that this is a great place to work,” she added.
The Bridgeville event built on the success of a similar 2023 experience in South Bethlehem, when the company celebrated its 140th anniversary. “It was a huge hit, so we decided to continue it every year, and rotate it throughout our locations,” Clas said.
QUARRY GARDENS: THE BEES’ KNEES
At three of its quarries, Callanan has established thriving pollinator sanctuaries. The gardens, now certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council, represent the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Preparing the gardens gave employees a chance to do something completely different as they cleared invasive species, planted native species, and built insect hotels and bat houses. “They now are thriving and attracting pollinators,” Clas said.
To support both this environmental dedication and the development of young talent, Callanan integrates garden care into its internship program. Each summer, Callanan extends this mission by hiring interns – young people with a genuine interest in the industry – to help maintain the gardens at quarry entrances. “They help us make everything more welcoming,” Clas said.