A Community Partner…Defined

Every day, TEK Systems of Bridgewater excels at helping their customers with IT services. But on two Thursday nights a month, the staff of TEKsystems can be found doing something entirely different: exercising, cooking, sharing a meal, and even dancing…. as they lead the TEAM (Teaching, Exercise, Activity, Movement) program at GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough.

(left to right) TEK employees Amanda Thompson, Mike Greenstreet & Rob Savacool with Erin Morris receiving the 2018 Community Partner of the Year Award

TEKsystems plans and facilitates our TEAM program on the second and fourth Thursday each month, and according to Account Manager, Amanda Thompson, the TEKsystems staff seems to be having the most fun of everyone in the room.

It’s truly a unique and special partnership, and to recognize TEKsystems’ dedication and support, at its 2018 Gala, GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough presented the company with the prestigious “Community Partner of the Year” award.

We recently sat down with Amanda Thompson to talk about the TEKsystems-GiGi’s partnership.

Q:  How does TEKsystems support GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough?

Amanda: TEKsystems volunteers two Thursdays a month running TEAM, which instructs adult participants in exercise, healthy meal preparation, and healthy eating.  We have been volunteering with GiGi’s for two years now. In addition to TEAM, we helped GiGi’s move to its new facility in 2015, and we donated the security system that helps keeps the members safe.

Q:  What was it that interested you guys in becoming involved?

Amanda: As an office, we had been talking about what was important to us and how we could impact the community in a positive way. We knew we wanted to support an organization in a social way, more than just writing a check. After a few google searches I reached out to Site Manager Liz Kepniss and it’s been a great two years since.

Q: What do you do at your program?

TEK employees and program participants after their first program at GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough.

Amanda: We first exercise and stretch together, which takes a lot of encouraging since it’s not the participants’ favorite part of the evening for sure!  We then move on to preparing and cooking a healthy meal, setting the table, and eating together.  Then we clean up, hang out, chat, listen to music, and dance until it’s time to go.

Q:  What do you guys like about running the program?

Amanda: GiGi’s is often times some of the most fun we have all week. The members of GiGi’s are all so welcoming to us, and the friendships we have made throughout this partnership have been so fun.

Q: What are the most memorable moments you’ve had with the program?

Amanda: Thursday nights just turn into dance parties no matter what.  I also enjoy the annual Christmas party we throw, when Santa (a TEKsystems staff member) hands out gifts to the participants, and we get to see the look of pure joy on their faces. Of course, we also love the Gala every year and getting to see each GiGi’s member from TEAM all dressed up and getting to dance with them and hang out all night.