Leviton recently sponsored a community outreach initiative to “brighten up” the interior décor of the Head Start Center in Amityville, Long Island. Each year, the Center provides 120 low-income children, 3 to 5 years of age, with two meals a day and a nurturing environment where they can interact with other preschoolers and develop the social skills and sense of well-being needed to get a head start in life.

Partnering with The Long Island Volunteer Enterprise (LIVE), Leviton donated 50 gallons of paint, painting supplies and materials in addition to the manpower required to complete the redecorating project. A total of 60 employees from all areas of the Company’s corporate headquarters took time out from their normal work routines to spackle, tape and paint the interior of the Center, where the young program enrollees can spend up to 6 hours a day.

“It is deeply gratifying that so many of our employees rose to the call for action to participate in this community outreach effort,” said Leviton President and CEO, Donald J. Hendler. “Leviton strongly endorses activities in the local communities in which we have a presence. We chose this project in our belief that a much-needed face lift for the Center would help lift the spirits of these young children and create a more pleasing environment for them.”

In addition to painting the walls of the Center’s classrooms, kitchen, offices, restrooms and hallways, Leviton also replaced the Center’s time-worn switches, outlets and wallplates with its contemporary Decora® designer-style switches, GFCIs and new tamper-resistant outlets. The tamper-resistant outlets feature shutters inside the device which block access to objects other than a properly-rated two-prong electrical plug, protecting young children from the dangers of electricity.

Leviton offered its employees the opportunity to help out at the Center for a morning, afternoon or full-day in lieu of working their normally scheduled jobs. With a century long tradition of community involvement and advocacy for important social issues, Leviton has responded with donations, relief, support and manpower during times of international crisis and local disaster.

About Head Start
Head Start is a national program that provides comprehensive developmental and social services to America’s low-income preschool children and their families. The Head Start Program began in 1965 to give children of low-income families access to preschool programs. The program is administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children and Families.

About Leviton
Founded in 1906 at the dawn of the electrical era, Leviton manufactures over 25,000 different products and is North America’s leading electrical and electronic wiring device producer. Leviton products are used in nine out of ten homes in the US and Canada, and in commercial facilities, industrial plants and OEM operations. A third generation family-owned and operated business, Leviton sets the pace of progress in the industry. Social responsibility and a strong sense of citizenship are vitally important elements of Leviton’s corporate culture and employment brand.

www.leviton.com