What does a national railcar service company have to do with Union Mission? Surprisingly, a great deal. Kurt Higginbotham, CEO and President of Appalachian Railcar Services (ARS), explains, “ARS has been very blessed. My wife and I started the company 19 years ago with just to two of us. Now we are over 600 employees operating in 18 states and expect to hire more in the next 90 days. We don’t take this success for granted. We feel it is our duty to share our success with nonprofits and organizations that are trying to help make a difference in our community and state. Union Mission is the obvious choice.”
ARS provides financial support to the mission on a regular basis but that is just the beginning. In the past, Kurt has invited his staff to participate in a volunteer day at the mission. He offers them their day’s pay and they can chose to spend that day volunteering at the mission. The last time they had volunteer day they had to close the office because so many employees choose to help the mission.
“It was an incredible day”, Higginbotham explained, “The employees remarked how blessed they were to volunteer for Union Mission. They were able to see first hand the work needed to keep the mission operating. It is easy to write a check or drop off a can of food, but until you get down in the trenches with an organization, or anyone for that matter, and help them do the daily work, the real hard work, you can’t fully understand their situation and their needs. Getting our hands dirty with Union Mission was one of the best things our staff could do.”
ARS is also looking at potential opportunities to hire men and women out of the Addiction Recovery Program should they be able to get the certifications and training needed.
“We are in need of fabricators, welders – people with experience in those areas, Higginbotham said, “We believe in second chances because we all have been given a second chance from God through the work of Jesus. If we get the opportunity to hire qualified men and women from Union Mission then we will take that chance.”
Kurt’s desire to see the men and women overcoming addiction get a second chance at life doesn’t just stop at his company. He would like to see other businesses in West Virginia do the same.
“If a business owner or manager would just spend the day or even a couple hours with me at the mission getting their hands dirty, they would see the passion of the staff and the needs that have to be met,” Higginbotham challenged. “Life today is so fast paced. We need to slow down and listen. There are so many people around us that need our help. Everyone of them deserves a second chance.”
It is companies like Appalachian Railcar Services that help keep the doors open at Union Mission. If you would like to see how your business could help the mission, contact Joyce by calling 304.925.0644.
