A lot of companies talk a good game when it comes to charitable efforts, but how many would actually close down for a day to serve their communities?

That is just what MEDRAD did on September 11. The company suspended operations and paid over 800 employees to donate their time to programs including America's Working Order, All of Us Care, and others.

MEDRAD, based in Warrendale, PA, makes medical devices such as fluid injection systems, endovascular devices, and MRI accessories. But employees put that important work on hold to pick up paint brushes, hammers and hedge clippers as they volunteered at 49 Pittsburgh non-profit organizations and community projects during MEDRAD's 10th Annual Day of Caring.


"I enjoyed the opportunity to spend a day volunteering with my colleagues. It felt great to lend a helping hand to the Riverview Children's Center, especially because my coworkers and I were able to accomplish so much during our time there," said Jeff Moschak, a MEDRAD IT technician turned handyman.

Local nonprofit organizations and community groups including Easter Seals, Westmoreland ARC, Volunteers of America and the Stepping Stones Children's Center benefited from the 4,500-plus man hours MEDRAD offered this year. Employees tackled projects ranging from landscaping, remodeling and painting community facilities, to hosting parties and running carnival games for the disabled and elderly.

The company, part of The Bayer Group, also has a division based in Minneapolis where nearly 200 employees at MEDRAD Interventional/Possis also volunteered, as well employees at MEDRAD's international offices in Japan, the Netherlands and Germany.