Excel Electric to receive Grandville Jenison Chamber’s Community & Business Excellence Award.
This award recognizes a business that has made a significant positive impact on the local Grandville/Jenison community through innovation, growth or community involvement. They will be honored at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting held on Friday, January 19 at Sunnybrook Country Club. The event is open to the public. www.grandjen.com to register.
In February of 2016, Tom Kraal of Excel Electric contacted the Grandville Jenison Chamber wanting to know how his family owned business could make a positive impact in the community that they have been serving since 1983.
An employee driven business with just under 100 employees, Tom and his brothers Tim Kraal, President and Steven J Kraal, Vice President wanted to get more invested in the community where their employees live, work and play…..
Here were the Chamber’s recommendations, which they dived right into….
- Invest in Community Events
We believe community events give a sense of cohesiveness among families and are essential to a vibrant community and is yet another opportunity to connect business and community.
Excel Electric joined at the highest level as a Community Event Sponsor which presents Music in the Park Series, Beer, Bands & BBQ, Fall Expo and Expo at the Mall.
- Invest in relationships within our business community.
The Chamber has two Leads/Relationship Building Groups that are designed to cultivate business relationships that provide opportunities for lead generation among members.
“Tom Kraal joined the Business Café and immediately starting referring business to other members of our group. He has been a mentor to new businesses and has been an asset to our group. Neil Starks, Greenridge Realty”
- Invest in local non-profits.
Excel Electric has a heart for local children so the Chamber referred them to two local member non-profits.
Visser YMCA After School Impact Program –
“Excel Electric has been a tremendous supporter of the Visser Family YMCA. They have been dedicated to helping students in our afterschool IMPACT program, which provides students with academic support, mentoring, and enrichment opportunities. Not only has Excel Electric sponsored our end-of-the-year field trip to Chicago, but they also have invested their time here with the kids in the IMPACT program. Excel Electric continues to help us strengthen our community!” Kevin Meyers, Executive Director, Visser Family YMCA
Hand2Hand – Hand2Hand exists because a hungry child hurts and the weekend is a vulnerable time for any child facing food insecurity.
“It is with great pleasure that we nominate Excel Electric for the “Community Business and Excellence” award with the Grandville – Jenison Chamber.
Under Tom’s leadership the team at Excel went above and beyond to gather people and reach a goal, and within the last 2 years Excel Electric has donated food and packed over 4,000 snack packs for the 4,300 kids, ages 3-18, which we feed in 140 schools every week.
The team at Excel has a passion for our community, a heart for kids experiencing weekend hunger, and a proactive ‘let’s help feed kids” attitude that puts a smile on thousands of kids’ faces!! “ Cheri Honderd, Founder of Hand2Hand
Not only has Excel Electric been involved with the local schools, Tom Kraal also volunteers as a Director for the Grandville Jenison Chamber. Thank you for going all in for the last few years…