A Giving Company

Erickson, Inc. gives back through related industry and employee organizations

By Christina Kalman, Senior Corporate Marketing Manager

Erickson is a giving company and supports non-profit organizations and aviation-related causes around the world. From sponsoring scholarships to aspiring aviation enthusiasts to firefighting and warfighters, Erickson both supports the development of people and infrastructure for today and tomorrow.

Erickson supports a variety of non-profits that align with the company’s vision,” To be the global industry leader in providing safe, efficient, high quality and integrated utility aircraft services to build infrastructure and protect people and property. ” Our investment can be seen in our employees, our local communities, the helicopter industry, in aerial firefighting, in defense applications, and in protecting people through service and safety.

Photo taken at the 2020 HAI Tradeshow

Erickson supports causes that are relevant to the type of missions we perform. Organizations such as The Whirly-Girls, who are dedicated to advancing women in helicopter aviation, and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation which focuses on helping families of firefighters killed in the line of duty. To support non-profits that assist injured firefighters, and their families parallel our company’s values of Selfless Service & Duty, Teamwork, and Tenacity.

Erickson’s Corporate Travel & Event Manager, Tamara Jackson, shares what giving back means to her, “I believe that the measure of a person’s life is the effect they have on others.  Giving back can be as simple as being there for someone going through a difficult time, or donating items, money, and time to worthy causes, as well as sharing your knowledge and experiences to inspire and educate others.” On behalf of Erickson, Jackson has been a leading voice and member of the Whirly-Girls Association. She is an example of the type of selfless employee we are proud to have at Erickson.

Some of the organizations that Erickson has supported and/or still supports are as follows:

Whirly-Girls International

The Whirly-Girls are a non-profit, charitable and educational organization that aims to advance women in helicopter aviation. They are an affiliate member of the Helicopter Association International, Erickson Incorporated is also a proud member. Erickson supports the Whirly-Girls Foundation by partnering with Volo Mission to provide a full scholarship to one aspiring female pilot every year. The tuition for this specific two-week course is $18,000 and is provided 100% to the winner of the scholarship on behalf of Erickson and Volo Mission.

The Whirly-Girls is a very special organization to Erickson, with only 3,500 women pilots in the world and only four women pilots on staff at Erickson, we support their mission to bring more women pilots into aviation.  

Learn more about the Whirly-Girls organization and Erickson’s support of this mission here: https://ericksoninc.com/whirly-girls-inspiring-the-future/

Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Wildland Firefighter Foundation’s focus is to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families. We honor and acknowledge past, present, and future members of the wildland firefighting community, and partner with private and interagency organizations to bring recognition to wildland firefighters.

In 2019, Erickson raised funds for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation through their annual golf tournament.

Army Aviation Associations of America Scholarship Fund

The AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation established to render financial assistance for the college-level education of members of the Army Aviation Association of America, Inc. (AAAA).

Erickson is also a proud association member of the Army Aviation Associations of America (AAAA).

Green Beret Foundation

The Green Beret Foundation is an organization that provides dedicated long-term health and resources to Green Berets and their families. This foundation is important to Erickson, as military veterans comprise 20% of our company. Supporting organizations that support our employees’ health and well-being is a priority for our company.

Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)

Founded in 1976, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of minorities in all aviation and aerospace careers.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. We believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities.

In the past, Erickson employees have supported our local Habitat for Humanity through team volunteering events, as well as corporate donations.

Giving Back Through Employee-Driven Events

Corporate giving is more than monetary at Erickson. Our employees also donate their time and energy to support organizations that are important to them. Erickson’s philanthropic committee is comprised of dedicated employees who organize local fundraisers, such as an annual golf tournament and an annual Christmas Assistance program. Both programs are employee-driven events.

Director of People and Culture, Joseph Terino, shared why giving back is important to him, “Giving back signals our appreciation and gratitude for what we have and points to what we hold close to our hearts. At Erickson, we care deeply about our employees.”

Terino is typically the first person you meet when you start at Erickson. As the Director of People and Culture, he has a critical role to provide guidance and leadership to all employees. He encourages employees to make suggestions on organizations that the company should support.

Terino said, “Throughout the years Erickson has contributed to local concerns to make a positive difference in the communities where our employees and their families live. We also deeply appreciate and are grateful for our many field employees, who are often faced with danger in the line of duty. Our gratitude for their selfless service is embodied in our giving to organizations that support soldiers in the Army’s Special Forces and wildland firefighters, who like our own employees are placed in harm’s way to serve others.”

Every year for two decades, Erickson employees have come together to support a different charity through a company-sponsored golf tournament. Donations are made by sponsoring contests, holes and prizes, with all proceeds going to the selected charity. In 2019, Erickson employees and partnering suppliers raised $12,388 in the 22nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament supporting the Wildland Firefighters Foundation. The foundation’s focus is to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families.

Another example of employee volunteer time is to support their local community through the Christmas Assistance program, led by Erickson’s senior buyer, Christy Ross. Christy Ross and employees deliver Christmas boxes to children and families in need. These families are selected by a local school in the Medford area and then later provided to the Christmas Assistance program. Many of Erickson’s employees are involved in donating both food and gifts to the community, while others take part in the delivery of the gifts to the families.

Ross said, “We try to reach 10-15 families each year, depending on company volunteers.” They start the program in early October to gauge interest from employees. They have until mid-month to agree to participate.

It’s our corporate responsibility and our passion at Erickson to support non-profit organizations that benefit the lives and families of individuals who serve in the military and the aviation industry. Beyond financial support, our dedicated employees share their time and talents to improve their communities and help the world become a better place. Last, for all of the customers that Erickson serves throughout the year – and throughout the world – we are proud to carve out our way to give back that will impact our industry and those around us.

Learn more about Erickson’s philanthropic efforts.