Lincoln, RI Pare Corporation, a leading multi-disciplinary engineering and planning firm, was awarded a 2019 Common Good Award by Rhode Island Monthly Magazine and the Rhode Island Foundation. The Common Good Awards “recognize Rhode Island businesses of all sizes that inspire philanthropy in their employees around the state, not by writing a check to a worthy cause, but by encouraging staff to go into the community and help.” Awards were given to firms in four size categories - Micro (1-9 employees), Small (10-49), Medium (50-249) and Large (250+ employees). Pare won the award in the Medium Category. 

Pare Corp. president, Larry Riggs, said, “We encourage employees to make meaningful contributions in the community through organized workplace activities, mentoring in our schools, and volunteering in community projects and charitable campaigns. Pare supports these activities by providing flexible office hours, the use of facilities and materials, and by making direct financial contributions. We all benefit from supporting the community – and we receive a tremendous amount of fulfillment from helping others.” 

Among the many charitable causes Pare has embraced, none has a longer history than their relationship with Boys Town New England. Beginning in 1996, Pare staff have spent the last 23 years providing holiday gifts to the children in the foster care program of Boys Town. For the 2018 holiday season, the staff donated four bicycles and more than 483 gifts to brighten the holidays of 69 children. This brought the cumulative total of Boys Town children to whom Pare has provided holiday smiles to 816. Additionally, Pare has purchased turkeys for the Thanksgiving Meal Program for the last five years and supports Boys Town fundraisers and activities throughout the year, such as “Bowling for Boys Town.” Pare was honored by Boys Town New England with the Spirit of Youth Award in 2014. 

In addition to Pare’s partnership with Boys Town, Pare employees have twice organized campaigns to support the Make-a-Wish Foundation to send two critically ill children on dream vacations. These campaigns included a 3-mile run/walk challenge that encouraged participation by the entire design community in Rhode Island. 

Educational outreach has always been an important part of Pare’s culture. Employees volunteer to give classroom presentations throughout the year to help students understand engineering concepts. They also serve as mentors and participate on career panels to encourage students of all ages to consider careers in the engineering field. Pare staff support local organizations by serving on various boards, engaging with community councils, building community playgrounds, and participating in community betterment programs. A recent example of community outreach combined the staff’s technical expertise with their desire to make a positive difference in the community when several Pare employees volunteered their time and physical labor to design and construct a stormwater raingarden at a local community center. Pare has created a culture that encourages every employee to be actively engaged in the community.