HEI Civil held its second annual charity golf tournament in June, generating $110,539 for the Friends of Douglas County K-9. Since 2011, the nonprofit has helped the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit purchase 11 new dogs and an array of specialized equipment as well as provide world-class training. The nonprofit also works to ensure the retired dogs receive the best health care possible.

“We have a few K-9 officers headed toward retirement in the coming months, and these funds will help us acquire excellent replacements to serve as the next generation of furry heroes to protect the Douglas County community,” said Kim Vanderholm, chairman and co-founder of K-9 Friends.

The golf tournament took place at The Ridge at Castle Pines in Castle Rock, Colo.

Photo courtesy Autumn Miller/Big-D

Big-D Cos. partnered with the American Heart Association to raise awareness and funds to combat heart disease during the contractor’s annual week of giving Sept. 14-21. Employees set out to raise $20,000—and Big-D pledged to make a matching donation—with the goal of contributing $40,000 to the American Heart Association. Throughout the week, Big-D employees participated in various heart-healthy walks, aiming to achieve a 90% participation rate across the company’s multiple offices. A spokesperson for Big-D says the contractor hopes to inspire employees to cultivate lifelong healthy habits while contributing to a greater cause. In the U.S., construction workers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. Hard Hats with Heart educates the construction industry about the signs and risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol and how to prevent them. “Together, we can create safer working environments where healthy habits are adopted, workers feel confident to perform CPR and more lives are saved,” said Liv Sasaki, executive director, American Heart Association Utah Division.