Schneider Foundation donates to a cause close to home

The Schneider Foundation recently gifted NeighborWorks Green Bay — a nonprofit organization providing the greater Green Bay area with housing, counseling and education services, homeownership lending and housing renovation — a $23,000 grant to fund a solar panel installation project on their historically significant Green Bay building.

The project added solar panels to their building’s rooftop in an effort to improve sustainability and decrease annual energy costs.

Repeating history: A visit to our old home

The building, which is now NeighborWorks Green Bay’s headquarters, has a special connection to Schneider. Originally constructed in the 1800s, it became the birthplace of Schneider in 1938 when company founder Al Schneider moved his operations there.

Vintage company photos show Al and some of his first trucks in front of the building, which is still recognizable today.

This isn’t the first time we’ve returned to an old facility and honored it in a special way.

Re-creating history: Old meets new

To honor the building’s connection to Schneider’s roots, Vinny, our antique truck, was displayed at a celebration and dedication of the recently completed solar panel installation project. In addition, a 2019 tractor was also at the event - demonstrating how much Schneider and the transportation industry has changed since its earliest days.

LuEllen Oskey, Schneider Foundation director (left in top photo), spoke at the event, sharing Schneider’s emphasis on sustainability – in both our facilities and truck technology – as well as our historical connection to the building.

When it came time to present the check, Schneider driver instructors Bret Valentine (middle left in top photo) and Dan Rabe made the delivery to NeighborWorks Green Bay President and CEO Noel Halvorsen (right in top photo).

Direct donations are one of seven Schneider Foundation charitable giving strategies.