VEC sparks support for Tri-County Heart Ball
The commitment from NECA-IBEW Electricians reaches beyond industry and into the heart of the communities they serve.
VEC served as a sponsor of the Tri-County Heart Ball held in Canfield on February 28 – and brought a couple of other NECA Mahoning Valley contractors along to support the American Heart Association and its mission.
Rachel Barber, VEC’s executive vice president of finance, co-chaired the event with YSU professor Nancy Landgraff. Barber’s reasons for being involved are both personal and professional.
A mission close to the heart
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the number-one killer in the U.S., and stroke is number four.
“My ‘why’ is my mom, Mary Ferry,” Barber said. “She’s a heart attack and cardiac arrest survivor and is with us today because of her strong determination to survive and due to the cardiovascular research from the AHA.”
It’s that connection that explains why Barber has stayed involved with the AHA for more than 20 years.
Her service includes time on the board of directors, a term as board president and now as an emeritus board member. Over the years, Barber has participated in fundraising efforts through the Tri-County Heart Ball, the Heart Walk and other events tied to the organization.
For VEC, supporting the AHA is another way the company puts its values into action outside the job site.
“We believe in being involved with the AHA, other philanthropic organizations and giving back to our community in any way we can. We encourage our employees to donate time and resources to organizations that are near and dear to their hearts,” she said.
Connecting service to a greater cause
The spirit of service is a value shared between area electrical contractors and electricians.
VEC representation at the event included Barber and her husband, Jeff, along with Bruno and Tricia Frate, and Missy and Brandon Davies. Also attending were Eric and Bethany Carlson, of Dickey Electric, and Jason and Jo Rubin of CR Electric.
Their presence reflected how local electrical contractors come together off the job site to champion meaningful causes. Barber said fundraisers like the Heart Ball matter because they directly support research that saves lives.
“If it wasn’t for the Heart Ball or the Heart Walk, there would be no research, and without research, there would be no survivors.”
The event raised over $250,000, and area electrical contractors have a tie to the impact that builds stronger, healthier communities.
NECA-IBEW Electricians, an association of IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown, IBEW Local 573 in Warren and signatory electrical contractors throughout the Mahoning Valley.
