KINETIC EDGE DONATES $37,000 FOR EMPLOYEE’S HOLIDAY BONUSES

KINETIC EDGE DONATES $37,000 FOR EMPLOYEE’S HOLIDAY BONUSES

by Lindsey Klyn, Marketing Specialist

After experiencing another year of growth in 2017, Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy decided to surprise their team members with a non-traditional holiday bonus. On November 21, CEO Troy Vander Molen emailed the entire company that they wanted to continue to act on their vision of creating communities of healthy, happy, and hope-filled people by investing in local nonprofits in a tangible way. He wrote on to share that each employee was to select a local charity that they wanted to bless with a $1,000 donation.

 

“Our team was so enthusiastic about taking part,” shared CEO and Physical Therapist Troy Vander Molen. “Some even cried happy tears as they shared who they wanted to support. It was incredibly fulfilling to help our team spread happiness and hope to the people they serve and to support their unique passions and gifts.”

 

Kinetic Edge employs 37 individuals amongst their five clinic locations in Pella, Des Moines, Oskaloosa, Newton, and Ames. Each team member selected one charity to receive a $1,000 donation in their honor.

 

Pella Team

Marion County Humane SocietyPhysical Therapist and Clinic Manager Melissa Hansen chose Marion County Humane Society. (http://www.marioncountyhumane.org/) They adopted their dog, Riley, two years ago from Marion County who has been the perfect dog for their family. She loved giving to this organization that cares for animals before they go to their forever home.

 

 

InterVarsity- Julia FlahertyOccupational Therapy Assistant and Athletic Trainer Ashley Beekman picked InterVarsity. (https://intervarsity.org/) Her close friend, Julia Flaherty, works for this organization.

 

 

 

New Sharon Fire & Rescue AssociationHealth & Injury Management & Prevention Coordinator Dustin Briggs chose the New Sharon Fire and Rescue Assosciation. (http://www.newsharoniowa.com/fire/ Dustin has been a member of this department for ten years and shared that they recently purchased a new ambulance so this donation went to help offset those costs.

 

 

Pella Christian Grade SchoolOccupational Therapist Elise Spronk and Physical Therapist John Lenderink both selected Pella Christian Grade School. (http://www.pellachristian.net/) Upon hearing of the $2,000 donation, the school decided to use the funds to purchase supplies for their sensory room.

 

 

 

Athletic Trainer Erica Guinane decided to donate to Launching Arrows (https://www.facebook.com/launchingarrows/) which is an organization designed to keep students involved in school and the community without being held back due to finances.

 

Pella Christian High Schol Band ProgramOffice Assistant Lisa Vos chose the Pella Christian High School band. (https://sites.google.com/a/pceagles.org/pella-christian-bands/) She knew there was a growing need for musical instruments due to a growing number of band students. They specifically needed another marching snare drum, so her donation went to purchase one.

 

 

Bethany Christian ServicesOccupational Therapy Assistant Travis Ethen donated to Bethany Christian Services (https://www.bethany.org/pella) because he’s seen a lot of kids who have been adopted and feels passionate about providing support and assistance to these kids and their new families.

 

 

 

Des Moines Team

Freedom for YouthPhysical Therapist and Clinic Manager Todd Schemper has a friend who works for Freedom for Youth. (https://www.freedomforyouth.org/) Todd has been blessed by their mission and efforts to help at risk young people to get out of poverty and learn life skills which is why he chose to send his donation to them.

 

 

 

Puppy Jake FoundationPhysical Therapist Kaity Hall chose the Puppy Jake Foundation (http://www.puppyjakefoundation.org/) which is an organization that gets and trains service dogs for veterans.

 

 

 

Physical Therapist Assistant James Laughlin selected United Way’s Hope Initiative. (https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hope) This program helps single parent families to develop skills, foster independence, and provide health and human services.

 

Timber CreekOffice Assistant Abi Weidemann picked Timber Creek Charities and Therapies. (http://www.timbercreektherapies.com/) They do a lot of aquatic and hippotherapy because they work with a lot of patients that have had brain injuries, strokes, and then also kids with autism.  They see a lot of patients long term, so they hold fundraisers every year to provide scholarships to patients whose insurance coverage has ran out but still would greatly benefit from continuing therapy. Her aunt has volunteered with them for years and has witnessed and shared how many families have been blessed by the scholarships that help with therapy costs.

 

 

Oskaloosa Team

Big Brother Big Sister of Mahaska CountyPhysical Therapist and Clinic Manager Carol Kelderman selected Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mahaska County (https://www.facebook.com/BBBSMahaska/) because she was a “big sister” while attending the University of Iowa. Being a big sister was a great experience for her, and she was able to impact the life of a young girl who had been through some trials. She’s excited that a mentorship program was recently started in Mahaska County and that she could support it with this donation.

 

Front Office Support Callie Arnold chose her mom’s fifth grade class at Oskaloosa Elementary (https://www.oskycsd.org/elementary/) after continually being inspired by the way she impacts the lives of children. The $1,000 donation will go to purchase science equipment and busy chairs which help kids burn energy so they can stay better focused during class.

 

American Legion in OskaloosaPhysical Therapist Cory Horstmann picked to support the American Legion in Oskaloosa. (https://www.facebook.com/Harry-L-Anderson-American-Legion-Post-34-1183469308345908/) Cory has a passion and appreciation for veterans and feels they don’t always get the resources, admiration, and respect they deserve when they come back home.

 

 

 

NESTPhysical Therapist Derrick Simms chose the Oskaloosa NEST Program (https://oskyhope.wordpress.com/category/new-hope-programs/) which helps improve the health of pregnant women and their babies. They provide educational classes on various topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, infant care, and parenting.

 

 

Stephens Memorial Animal ShelterPhysical Therapist Assistant Dustin Sloan heard that Stephens Memorial Animal Shelter (http://www.stephenmemorial.org/) had a funding cut recently, so he selected to help them out with this donation.

 

 

 

Seida Community Action of Mahaska CountyPhysical Therapist Assistant Heather Pilcher chose Seida Community Action of Mahaska County. (https://www.sieda.org/) She likes how Seida addresses the causes and conditions of poverty in her community.

 

 

 

 

Oskaloosa Athletics Booster ClubAthletic Trainer Laura Norberg gave to the Oskaloosa Athletics Booster Club. (http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=oskaloosaindianboosterclub) As the athletic trainer for Oskaloosa High, the athletes and parents of the school have a special place in her heart. Every little bit helps them succeed in sports, so she was thrilled to provide this monetary support for their athletes.

 

Office Assistant Marjie Rinehart selected the second grad class at Oskaloosa Elementary where the $1,000 donation will be used for their new math program since they had to get new curriculum this year. (https://www.oskycsd.org/elementary/)

 

Oskaloosa Middle School Special Education DeptartmentOffice Assistant Stay Crouse has a daughter with special needs, so choosing Oskaloosa Middle School’s Special Education Department was an easy choice. (https://www.oskycsd.org/news/1697076/ohs-special-education-program-receives-donation) She has been impressed by the work this group does and how wonderful they’ve been with her daughter.

 

 

Physical Therapist Whitney Vander Veen chose Launching Arrows because she has a passion for working with children and promoting movement and activity in their lives. (https://www.facebook.com/launchingarrows/) Launching Arrows has chosen to tackle this challenge in various ways and works to provide activities for kids of all ages and abilities.

 

Newton Team

St. Nick's Christmas ClubPhysical Therapist and Clinic Manager Matt Scotton chose Jasper Community Foundation’s St. Nick’s Christmas Club. (https://www.facebook.com/St-Nicks-Christmas-Club-157851124250363/) He was excited to donate to them at this time of year since they identify families in the county with financial need and help provide Christmas presents for their kids.

 

 

 

 

CTE HopeAthletic Trainer Amanda Enochs chose CTE Hope, which was founded by one of her college professors. (https://ctehope.com/) This non-profit was created to honor Zac Easter, an Indianola High School football player who suffered with CTE after multiple concussions, and asked his family and friends raise awareness about the danger of concussions, and to share his story

 

 

 

Discover Hope 517Physical Therapist Jared Gerber opted to donate to Discover Hope 517 because it follows Kinetic Edge’s model of giving hope to those who might not have much. (http://www.discoverhope517.org/) This Christian ministry in Newton works with individuals who have struggled with substance abuse to provide them hope and a new purpose in life.

 

 

 

Pregnancy Center of Central IowaOccupational Therapist Jordan Bell selected the Pregnancy Center of Central Iowa because of her passion for kids. (https://www.pcciowa.org/) This organization focuses on educating parents to raise strong and healthy kids. Through education programs, parents earn “money” to spend on essentials for their new babies and young children, lessening the financial burden of raising an often unexpected child.

 

Puppy Jake FoundationPhysical Therapist Lauren Saehler picked Puppy Jake Foundation. (http://www.puppyjakefoundation.org/) She likes how, like Kinetic Edge, they restore health, happiness, and hope through service dogs. These animals provide a unique avenue to improve the mobility and independence of our veterans.

 

 

Office Assistant Susan Metz chose Willowbrook Adult Day Care. (https://www.wesleylife.org/memory-care/adult-day-centers/willowbrook-adult-day-center.aspx) She shared how this organization was a God-send for her family when both her mother & mother-in-law needed to use them so they could go to work.

 

Ames Team

Food at FirstPhysical Therapist and Clinic Manager Tim Vander Wilt chose Food at First in Ames. (https://foodatfirst.wordpress.com/) This organization feeds the homeless and less fortunate in Ames. He knows of some families in his children’s schools that benefit directly from these meals. He believes that kids shouldn’t go hungry, and this organization provides for these families that are less fortunate.

 

 

Habitate for HumanityPhysical Therapist Casey Negrete helped with several Habitat for Humanity projects and has seen the impact it has made on people, so he opted to give his donation to Habitat for Humanity. (http://www.hfhci.org/)

 

 

 

Butterfly Freedom HouseOffice Assistant and Athletic Trainer Rachel Johnson selected Butterfly Freedom House which is a non-profit that some women in her church helped create. (https://www.butterflyfreedomhouse.org/) This home serves women who have recently been released from prison and want to grow in their relationship with God. The Butterfly Freedom House provides a safe place, healthy environment, and support system that allows these women to adjust back to a normal life style.

 

Corporate Team

CEO and Physical Therapist Troy Vander Molen decided to send his donation to The Well. (http://thewelliowa.org/) Like Kinetic Edge, The Well is an organization devoted to “offering help and hope.” He felt that supporting local people who are struggling was a great way to positively influence the community within which he lives. He sees The Well as company like Kinetic Edge that shows rays of hope but in a different way.

 

VegLife Des MoinesCustomer Care Coordinator Kayla Landhuis chose a new charity she volunteers with called VegLife Des Moines. (http://veglifedesmoines.org/) VegLife is dedicated to making it easier for vegan living in the Des Moines area, which is something Kayla is passionate about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing Specialist Emily Norton chose the Food Bank of Iowa. (https://www.foodbankiowa.org/) She knows that just one dollar goes along way in providing food for people in Iowa, so she was excited to provide $1,000 to help them keep food on their shelves for people in Iowa who need it.

 

Knoxville Racing Chariable Organization (KRCO)Assistant Office Manager Kimmy Van Zee loves the Knoxville Races, so it came as no surprise when she selected the Knoxville Racing Charitable Organization as the recipient for her donation. (https://www.knoxvilleraceway.com/Pages/Driver-Support) They provide additional safety equipment for both the drivers who race at Knoxville Raceway and their sprint cars. As a fan, it was important to her to support KRCO and what they do to keep drivers safe.

 

 

Federated FellowshipMarketing Specialist Lindsey Klyn chose to donate to the youth programs at Federated Fellowship after spending the past three years volunteering there. (https://www.federatedfellowship.org/) She’s passionate about sharing Jesus with kids and is excited to help the youth pastor select a curriculum that will engage the students and teach them more about Christ.

 

 

Pella Historical SocietyOffice and Billing Manager Renae Oppenhuizen selected Pella Historical Society. (https://www.pellahistorical.org/) Renae is a passionate Pella resident and loves what this organization does to keep the Dutch heritage alive and well in her hometown.

 

 

 

 

Kinetic Edge’s goal is to be a generous organization, as one of their core values states, “A healthy business is one that consistently demonstrates trust, value, and generosity.” This holiday bonus donation reflects only a portion of the donations their company gave away.

Fields for our FutureIn addition to the $1,000 holiday donation bonus, the company chose to donate $20,000 to the Fields for our Future in Pella which is a recreational complex that strengthens and unites the youth, families, and community by providing an exciting, safe, and high-quality sports park. Each clinic also chose how to donate an additional $3,500 to their communities outside of their team member’s selections.

“There are so many reasons I’m proud to be on the Kinetic Edge team, but one of the reasons I most love working for this company is because of the Christian commitment and leadership,” shared Marketing Specialist Lindsey Klyn “The owners’ generous choice to share the success we experienced this past year with us and our communities shows their character and true commitment to our mission and vision.”

Kinetic Edge is excited for what’s in store for 2018 and hopes to experience even more growth so that they can continue to give back to transform more lives throughout their communities.

 

Kinetic Edge has clinics in Pella, Des Moines, Oskaloosa, Newton, and Ames and consults throughout the state of Iowa and beyond. Their services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, worker performance, athletic training, pediatric therapy, and medical fitness.

 

For more information, please visit www.kineticedgept.com.