Simpson Strong-Tie hosted its ninth annual “Do What You Can Day,” a day dedicated to giving back to the community, on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

More than 1,000 Simpson Strong-Tie employees in North America participated in various activities benefiting local communities. The company’s signature activity for the day was assembling mentor kits for volunteers with the ACE Mentor Program, an organization dedicated to helping high school students pursue careers in the building industry. Simpson Strong-Tie is a national sponsor of the ACE Mentor Program of America. Seven of the company’s largest North American facilities contributed more than 845 volunteer hours and $28,300 worth of volunteer time, assembling nearly 950 kits in all.

Other company facilities engaged in other projects to help their specific communities, including raising funds benefiting a local food bank in the aftermath of the Maui fires, food collection and sorting, and more.

Do What You Can Day is a celebration of and commitment to Simpson Strong-Tie founder Barclay Simpson’s principle of giving back to others. As Simpson himself expressed this principle, “We’re all connected in some way and are all part of a greater community. Look for small ways to give back every day. Help out your neighbor, make time for others, do what you can.”

“We’re very proud of our employees’ commitment to Give Back, one of our nine core company values, as exemplified by their participation in Do What You Can Day,” said Simpson Strong-Tie president and CEO Mike Olosky. “Being able to tie our main company activity to our support of the ACE Mentor Program only made it that much more meaningful. We look forward every year to this dedicated day of service to our various communities.”