Inspire Community Involvement

One of the many characteristics that make Inspire unique is its corporate commitment to giving back to the community. Inspire's team has demonstrated that employees can create tremendous results when they direct their entrepreneurial talent and zeal to community service efforts. Inspire has created a culture that encourages community involvement and sets the standard for other entrepreneurial companies in the region.

EyeBuild and Habitat for Humanity
On November 9, 2007 a group of Inspire employees participated in a Habitat for Humanity program called "EyeBuild" in New Orleans as an opening to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This project was designed to build homes for 75 families in New Orleans that were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Inspire was one of several companies that provided financial and human resources to build these homes. The participants from Inspire included Ryan Vallee, Saiid Davari, Mike Schiewe, Lauren McNeil, Jason Menzo, Mark McLeod, Sandy Klein, Kim Morris and Jeff Sampere. All agreed it was an incredible experience to be part of this great effort and to assist in rebuilding New Orleans.

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Seacoast Safari for CF
On July 19 and 20, 2008 Team Inspire Cycling participated in the Seacoast Safari for Cystic Fibrosis. The Team (Tad Gorenflo, Paul Watson, Sam Shaver, Tomas Navratil, Laura Guogas, Dena Cohen and Rich Pandullo) joined about 100 other cyclists who rode 150 miles along the New England coast to raise funds for the CF Foundation. Team Inspire was presented with three awards—a certificate of appreciation for being a Gold Sponsor of the ride, the Highest Fund-raising Team trophy, and the trophy for Commitment to Excellence (awarded to Tad Gorenflo).This years' Safari raised over $62,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

more Seacoast Safari images

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's "An Evening with the Master Chefs"
The 2007 CFF Master Chef's Dinner (Carolinas Chapter) netted over $285,000 to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Inspire was proud to be a co-sponsor of the event, hosted at the Quail Hollow Club on March 31, 2007. Supporters of the CF Foundation enjoyed an auction, which included two dinners for six by North Carolina native Sam Talbot of Bravo's "Top Chef," followed by a delicious 7 course meal, all while coming together to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis.

In 2006, Inspire was also co-sponsor of "An Evening with the Master Chefs." The evening was dedicated to the memory of Inspire's Dr. Richard Evans, Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development. Dr. Evans was very passionate about CF research and drug development and worked for many years on the Inspire team that is developing the CF drug, denufosol, which is now in Phase III clinical trials. His legacy will be motivation for the Inspire team to continue to accomplish great things.

Page last updated: 07-Aug-2008