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On a rainy Saturday in December, employees from Bremik Construction Inc. braved the elements to begin installing a wheelchair ramp for a senior citizen living in Portland. The man was one of the three individuals and families the construction company adopted for the holiday season.

For Bremik, the volunteer effort was a perfect fit.

鈥淭he best way for us to give back is to be able to do things for people where we’re already naturally skilled,鈥� said Alexi Meuwissen, Bremik’s marketing coordinator. 鈥淲e try to stay as industry focused as possible.

In past years, for example, the company has been involved with REACH Community Development‘s paint-a-thons and events to help repair homes for low-income residents. When it came time to pick a worthwhile holiday giving project, Bremik asked REACH for the names of three worthwhile recipients in need of some cheer. Through REACH, Bremik also 鈥渁dopted鈥� a single mom and her children as well as a single dad and his daughter, buying toys for the kids and fixings for holiday dinners.

The third recipient was the elderly man whose Christmas wish was for a wheelchair ramp to make departing his home easier. Bremik’s crew finished that project about 10 days ago.

Bremik’s dedication to helping the community by doing what it does best also sometimes allows others in the industry to also step forward. For the recent wheelchair ramp installation, for example, Cudahy Lumber donated the lumber and JW Underground helped with excavation, according to Meuwissen.

鈥�(We) believe it’s really important for us to get out and get our hands dirty,鈥� she said. 鈥�(We’re) always looking for opportunities. Does a school need park benches built or landscaping for a play area?鈥�

One of the groups Bremik has most recently become involved with is Portland Youth Builders, a nonprofit that helps young adults start careers in areas that include the building industry. When the construction company learned that the organization’s library needed a fresh infusion of books, Bremik held an in-house drive a few months ago, collecting 50 books that the company delivered to the group.

鈥淲e (want) to get more involved with them in the future,鈥� Meuwissen said. 鈥淲e want to help with different ways, have group of students come out and have job tours and job shadows.鈥�