Category: Philanthropy

Security Engineered Machinery Gives Back to Veteran Marine Family by Building Log Cabin Playhouse

June 21, 2019 at 7:22 pm by Paul Falcone

Secure data destruction device company partners with Habitat for Humanity in Operation Playhouse

From left to right: Leonard Rosen, founder of SEM, and Otto, Robert, and Ashley Bitterman.

 WESTBOROUGH, MA, June 19, 2019—Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, spent the day of Wednesday, June 19, 2019 partnering with Habitat for Humanity for Operation Playhouse. The operation is a partnership that pairs businesses with veteran families to build a playhouse for their children, and this year’s concept was a log cabin. The SEM team started bright and early to design the cabin, which came equipped with its own deck, railings, and chair, to meet their 3pm deadline to present to the Bitterman family, a couple of United States Marines Veterans and their two-year-old son, Otto.

SEM employees (left to right) Todd Busic, Ted Jerdee, Marie DiVirgilio, Karl Lotvedt, and Jeff Lanoue constructing the walls of the playhouse.

“We were honored to present this playhouse to a family who has given so much back to our country today,” stated Nicholas Cakounes, Executive Vice President at SEM. “We are forever thankful for their service as United States Marines, and hope that they will make countless new memories together as a family with this new playhouse.”

Ashley Bitterman served in the US Marines from 2009-2019 and served a tour in Afghanistan from March to September 2011. Her husband, Robert Bitterman, is also a Marine who served from 2010-2014.

The couple watched with smiles as Otto ran into his log cabin, finding a variety of toys and decorations inside his new play space. A stuffed moose head on the wall, a bear skin rug, books, a plastic fishing pole, and his own set of Lincoln logs were just a few of the surprises waiting inside, which Otto took turns pointing to and exclaiming, “So cool!”

Otto with his new playhouse back home.

The entire SEM team stood around and applauded as the Bittermans rolled up, proud of the work they were able to complete together in just a day. Mr. Cakounes presented the family with a certificate of ownership for the playhouse after thanking the Bittermans for their sacrifices and service to the country.

“You can’t beat seeing that kid’s smile at the end of the day” said Ted Jerdee, Inside Sales Representative at SEM. “It’s a small thing to be able to give back to people who have given so much.”

The inside decorations of Otto’s Cabin.

This is the second time that SEM has taken part in Operation Playhouse and it appears it won’t be the last. Throughout the day, different team members were already brainstorming new ideas of how they could top this year’s house, which came complete with a solar panel that supplies power and a stained deck with railings.

The family left an hour after they arrived, excited about the playhouse loaded into their truck by the team at SEM, whose core values include giving back to the community on both a local and global basis.

About SEM

Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM) provides comprehensive end-of-life solutions for the protection of sensitive information in government and commercial markets. SEM’s reputation as the authority in high security information sanitization was earned through over 50 years of technical innovation, intellectual curiosity, and unrelenting integrity. By fostering a supportive, team-centric environment focused on talent retention and client satisfaction, SEM is recognized as the undisputed leader in depth of expertise, industry excellence, and reliability. SEM data destruction devices are the premier high security choice available on the market today. For more information, please visit www.semshred.com

About Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Security Engineered Machinery Builds Playhouse for Veteran Family

November 29, 2018 at 9:14 pm by Heidi White
The Brown family with their new playhouse

On November 28, 2018, Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, participated in Operation Playhouse, a unique program offered through Habitat for Humanity Metrowest/Greater Worcester. Operation Playhouse enables local businesses and organizations to build and donate a custom playhouse to benefit the children of local veterans and military personnel. The one-day event culminated with the presentation of the firetruck-themed playhouse to United States Marine Corps Operation Iraqi Freedom combat veteran Richard Brown and his family.

SEM Executive Vice President Nick Cakounes presents the playhouse to USMC Veteran Richard Brown, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom

The event started at 9am onsite at SEM corporate headquarters in Westboro. SEM employees volunteered to participate in various tasks including painting, constructing, roofing, and decorating the playhouse as well as building accessories. Several authentic firetruck items were donated by the Boston and Dunstable fire departments for use in the playhouse. The construction was overseen by David Hamilton, Community Program Manager for Habitat for Humanity. Veteran Richard Brown and his family, from Dunstable, MA, arrived at 3:30pm to receive the playhouse. Nicholas Cakounes, Executive Vice President of SEM, made the presentation.

“Veterans have a special place in our heart here at SEM,” said Mr. Cakounes. “We are filled with gratitude to those who have served our country and protect our freedom, so giving back in some small way through Operation Playhouse was an absolute honor.”

Jeff Lanoue, SEM’s New England Regional Sales Manager, and Garret Peters, SEM’s Operations Manager, constructing the windows.

“This event was incredibly special to me personally,” added Korean War Veteran Leonard Rosen, who is SEM’s founder and Chairman of the Board. “Mr. Brown selflessly served his country, ensuring our rights and freedom. That is a debt we can never repay, so we were thrilled to be able to do something to bring joy to him and his family.”

SEM is a veteran-owned company whose primary client base is the United States Federal Government and its entities, including all branches of the United States Military.

Service Technicians Shawn Barnham, Don Donahue, and Dave Carroll built a custom ladder for the playhouse

SEM Supports Civil Air Patrol

June 24, 2018 at 5:44 pm by Heidi White

SEM has made a donation to the Civil Air Patrol in honor of Karl Lotvedt, SEM DC Sales Support Representative, who is Commander of the Osprey Composite Squadron of the Maryland Wing of Civil Air Patrol.

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a wholly volunteer organization that is an auxiliary of the USAF. CAP has three primary missions:

  1. Cadet programs: Teach cadets ages 12-21 about leadership, responsibility, respect, organization, drill, and ceremonies.
  2. Aerospace Education: Teach about how and why an airplane flies in which cadets get five hours in control of a single engine Cessna (next to the pilot) and five hours in a glider. They also have the opportunity to become a private pilot.
  3. Emergency Services: Search and rescue.

Karl’s role as a commander requires him to oversee all the training of his cadets and seniors (adult officers) to make sure they are ready when called for a mission, which are given to them by the USAF. Karl became involved with CAP in 2003 after he retired from the United States Air Force. He began at the Martin State Airport squadron in Essex before starting the Osprey Composite Squadron in Dundalk, MD.

“A lot of patriotism is lost in today’s world, especially among the younger people, and the CAP can help restore that,” commented Karl. “We’re a small squadron but we are there if we are ever needed.”

SEM is incredibly appreciative of Karl for his tireless efforts with Civil Air Patrol, and we are honored to support this noble cause. For more information, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com. 

SEM Donates to Local Food Bank

December 20, 2017 at 5:40 pm by Heidi White

SEM employees in the Westboro, MA corporate headquarters donated over 250 pounds of food to the Worcester County Food Bank. To incentivize employees to donate more food, SEM offered a gift card as a raffle prize for employees who donated. Employees received one ticket per 10 pounds of food donated. The best part? The winner decided to donate the gift card to the Worcester County Food Bank as well. We couldn’t be more proud of our employees and their dedication to supporting the local community.