Honeywell lets associates bid on parking spaces to benefit local charities

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In cities like New York, Boston and San Francisco, where parking is at a premium, individuals often shell out thousands of dollars or in some cases hundreds of thousands of dollars for one parking space. This past November, Honeywell Aerospace’s Game Changers Employee Club in Urbana found out just how much their fellow associates are willing to pay for parking at the workplace.

As a way to raise funds for local organizations, the club was given approval to place up for bid 56 prime parking spots at Honeywell Aerospace’s state Route 55 location. The spots had previously been available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“The online bidding process was open for all associates at all levels throughout the site for several weeks,” Honeywell Aerospace Executive Assistant April Shockey said. “Employees were able to use an alias throughout, making the process fun and exciting. Cheers and applause broke out when the last bids processed through.”

The result of the fundraiser revealed Honeywell Aerospace employees value prime parking spots, as bids ranged from $50 to $305. In total, the 56 spaces brought in over $6,000, and the winning bidders have access to their spots until November.

After the auction wrapped up, Shockey said, employees were asked to provide feedback as to which organizations the club should donate the funds to. The decision was made to donate $2,000 to the Grimes Flying Lab Foundation, $2,000 to the GrandWorks Foundation/Gloria Theatre, and $1,000 to the Champaign County 4-H Committee.

During an employee meeting on Wednesday, Tom Duggan, senior director/plant general manager, presented the donations to representatives from all three organizations. On hand to accept the checks were Randy Henson, vice president of the Grimes Flying Lab Foundation Board; Lydia Hess, GrandWorks Foundation administrative manager; Diane Jess, Champaign County 4-H Committee treasurer; and Melinda Morrison, Champaign County OSU Extension director/4-H educator.

Honeywell Aerospace employees also decided to put aside $1,000 from the auction to be used to bid on livestock at the Champaign County Fair in August.

While not at the same scale as the parking space fundraiser, the Game Changers Employee Club raises funds for different organizations throughout the county on a monthly basis.

“They sell awareness ribbons and badge buddies that employees are able to wear on their badge lanyards that gives them a casual dress pass for the month,” Shockey said.

Honeywell Aerospace Senior Director/Plant General Manager Tom Duggan, left, presents a $2,000 check to Randy Henson, right, vice president of the Grimes Flying Lab Foundation Board.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/03/web1_Check_1.jpgHoneywell Aerospace Senior Director/Plant General Manager Tom Duggan, left, presents a $2,000 check to Randy Henson, right, vice president of the Grimes Flying Lab Foundation Board.

Pictured is one of the 56 parking spots that were auctioned off by the Game Changers Employee Club at Honeywell Aerospace, 550 state Route 55, Urbana. The associates who won a parking space during the online auction will have access to space until November.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/03/web1_Main-Art.jpgPictured is one of the 56 parking spots that were auctioned off by the Game Changers Employee Club at Honeywell Aerospace, 550 state Route 55, Urbana. The associates who won a parking space during the online auction will have access to space until November. Joshua Keeran | Urbana Daily Citizen

Honeywell Aerospace Senior Director/Plant General Manager Tom Duggan, middle, presents a $1,000 check to Diane Jess, right, Champaign County 4-H Committee treasurer; and Melinda Morrison, left, Champaign County OSU Extension director/4-H educator.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/03/web1_Check_3.jpgHoneywell Aerospace Senior Director/Plant General Manager Tom Duggan, middle, presents a $1,000 check to Diane Jess, right, Champaign County 4-H Committee treasurer; and Melinda Morrison, left, Champaign County OSU Extension director/4-H educator. Joshua Keeran | Urbana Daily Citizen

Honeywell Aerospace Senior Director/Plant General Manager Tom Duggan, left, presents a $2,000 check to Lydia Hess, right, GrandWorks Foundation (Gloria Theatre) administrative manager.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/03/web1_Check_2.jpgHoneywell Aerospace Senior Director/Plant General Manager Tom Duggan, left, presents a $2,000 check to Lydia Hess, right, GrandWorks Foundation (Gloria Theatre) administrative manager. Joshua Keeran | Urbana Daily Citizen
Honeywell lets associates bid on parking spaces

By Joshua Keeran

[email protected]

Joshua Keeran may be reached at 937-652-1331 (ext. 1774) or on Twitter @UDCKeeran.

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