COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
OLYMPIC STEEL IS COMMITTED TO CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
Corporate Citizenship. It’s one of our Core Values. And, we’re committed.
Contributing positively to the communities in which our employees live and work, a Core Value we call “Corporate Citizenship,” is a special part of our culture. We recognize that all Corporations can write checks in support of local charities. It’s important, and it’s one of many ways Olympic Steel gives back. What we believe sets us apart, though, is the generosity and commitment to community demonstrated by our employees, specifically.
In 2024, Olympic Steel employee-organized efforts and contributions supported hundreds of local and national organizations through more than $232,000 of monetary and in-kind donations and countless volunteer hours.
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MAKERS!
Olympic Steel proudly partners with the Great Lakes Science Center to support their mission of inspiring and developing the next generation of manufacturers.
2024 Design & Build Challenge
Team Olympic Steel participated alongside local Northeast Ohio businesses and STEM-engaged students to put their creative design and engineering skills to the test.
2024 Manufacturing Day Event
Using simulations of common manufacturing processes set-up as fun challenges, the Olympic Steel team and other area businesses helped local Northeast Ohio students get a closer look at the many careers available in the manufacturing industry.
Chairman's Citizenship Award
Each year, in celebration of National Volunteer Week, we recognize our Chairman’s Citizenship Award recipients. This annual recognition celebrates employees for their outstanding contributions to the community and their leadership in demonstrating Olympic Steel’s Corporate Citizenship Core Value.
In 2024, we had the largest group of nominees ever! From that outstanding group of generous community-engaged employees, we awarded three individuals:
CHAIRMAN’S CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Larissa Smerer
Chicago Tube & Iron
St. Paul, MN
A $500 donation was made in Larissa’s name to The Ehlers-Danlos Society.
EMPLOYEE’S CHOICE
AWARD
Casey Sherlock
Chicago Tube & Iron
Romeoville, IL
A $250 donation was made in Casey’s name to Humanitarian Service Project.
HONORABLE MENTION AWARD
Pedro Garcia
Olympic Steel
Milford, CT
A $100 donation was made in Pedro’s name to Hip Hop 1001.
SHARING THE POWER OF A WISH
Our Company-wide partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® began in 2004 as part of Olympic Steel’s 50th Anniversary celebration – an effort we call “Working for Wishes.” Employees selected the organization with the hope of granting a single wish. That first year, employee fund-raising efforts far exceeded expectations, granting three wishes. And, the commitment to creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses has continued!
Since the beginning of our Working for Wishes program, Olympic Steel’s employees have raised more than $1.7 million, granting nearly 170 wishes in the process. The tradition continues today in division across the organization. It’s an organization that is near and dear to our hearts.
We’ve Met The Families. We’ve Seen The Impact. And, We Believe In The Power Of A Wish.
Following are a few milestones in our wish-granting journey:
2024
Our annual, company-wide “Working for Wishes” program turns 25, coinciding with Olympic Steel’s 75th Anniversary!
2020
With some creative thinking and pure determination to not let a pandemic stop 15 consecutive years of granting wishes, Olympic Steel divisions raised over $40,000, granting at least 8 wishes, for the Make-a-Wish Foundation®.
2018
Honored with the JOY Award for reaching $1 million in donations to the Greater Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky chapter.
2016
Exceeded $1 million in total donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation® chapters across the country since beginning our Working for Wishes commitment in 2004.
2015
Granted our 100th wish since beginning our Working for Wishes commitment in 2004. Honored with the Chris Greicius Award at the annual Big Wish Gala hosted by the Greater Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky chapter.
2014
Set a fund-raising record with $106,268 raised in a single year.
2013
Celebrated a decade of giving
2011
Set a wish-granting record with 12 wishes granted in a single year Chosen as the “Distinguished Honoree” at the Greater Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky chapter’s annual “Big Wish Gala” event.
2007
Granted the 6,000th wish for the Greater Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation®
2004
Working for Wishes was born
9/11 NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE & REMEMBRANCE MEAL PACKING EVENT
On September 11, 2024, Olympic Steel and McCullough Industries team members located in Central Ohio joined other area businesses for the Columbus 9/11 Day event. Together, event participants prepared thousands of nutritious, prepackaged meals for families in need, taking back the day by turning the anniversary of 9/11 into a day of doing good.
2024 CHAIRMAN’S HUMANITARIAN AWARD
In 2002, the first Chairman’s Humanitarian Award was presented at Olympic Steel. Since then, nine others have received the award. They were recognized for outstanding contributions to the community or special initiative, resourcefulness and courage in an emergency situation on or off the job.
We proudly added Steve Brown, Operations Manager at our Integrity Stainless facility in Streetsboro, OH, to the list of recipients in 2024.
In June, Steve was vacationing with his wife in North Carolina. They were sitting on the beach when Steve noticed a young boy who had become separated from the rest of his group, swept into the undercurrent. Steve didn’t hesitate and ran into the water.
He saw the boy go under twice and noticed another child on a boogie board trying to paddle out to the one in trouble. Steve saved the 7- and 9-year-old brothers, who were greeted by their grandmother on the shore.
Steve’s split-second decision changed that family’s life. He is a hero, and we are proud to recognize him.
LEARN MORE
Find additional information in our most recent Corporate Responsibility Report available here
