As the Director of Engineering at Xybix, Troy Parson has found that some of the most satisfying times in his life have been when he is volunteering or giving back to my community. "I’ve always been passionate about philanthropy, so when I was considering what to blog about, I decided to check in with the rest of the Xybix team to see how these incredible individuals volunteer their time. I was pleasantly surprised to find that many Xybix staffers are committed to making a difference in their communities!" Here are just a few of the many ways that our team gives back:

Animal Activists

Cher Ice, our Southeast Territory Sales Manager, has a soft spot for animals, as well. She donates her time to Project HALO (Helping Animals Live On), a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue and sanctuary based in Charlotte, N.C. This is a 100% volunteer organization, funded privately by generous donors.

“I am an animal lover and have a passion for helping those who are less fortunate,” Cher says. “I donate my time to assist with adoption days to help animals find their forever home.”

Safety on the Slopes

Four members of the Xybix team have been avid volunteers with the National Ski Patrol for many years: Dave Carson, Barry Carson, Ken Carson — co-owners of Xybix — and Kathleen Babcook, our director of marketing. Dave Carson spent 34 years on ski patrol until retiring a few years ago. Way to go Dave! Barry, Ken and Kathleen still spend countless hours each winter helping folks on the slopes at Winter Park Resort here in Colorado. Here’s more about the National Ski Patrol:

“As the leading authority of on-mountain safety, the NSP is dedicated to serving the public and outdoor recreation industry by providing education and accreditation to emergency care and safety service providers. The organization is made up of more than 28,000 members serving over 650 patrols, including alpine, Nordic, and auxiliary patrollers. Our members work on behalf of local ski and snowboard areas to improve the overall experience for outdoor recreationalists.”

Awesome Athletes

Andy Reetz is a new member of the Xybix team. As an avid athlete, he has participated in numerous fundraising bicycle rides benefiting charities throughout the Denver metro area. He is currently getting ready to ride in the Newmont Bike MS 2014 to raise money for research on multiple sclerosis.

Arts and Acting

For 15 years or so Troy Parson has volunteered with numerous organizations in his area. He have a background in technical theatre, so for the past seven years, he has helped his wife, a teacher of Theatre Arts at Thunder Ridge Middle School, create scenery for her productions. For the last four years, he has volunteered to help with the after-prom party at his sons’ school, helping to bring various scenarios to life — from casinos to dragons and castles to the NYC skyline. (see pictures) Troy goes on to say, "It’s been fulfilling to see how much the students enjoyed the environments I’ve made. Not to mention that it gave them a safe place to spend their evening after attending prom."

Volunteering not only makes you feel good about yourself, it also helps others and the community. We should all take a cue from these awesome Xybix’s staffers and make volunteering a part of our busy lives!