Pre-Game Ceremony Marks New Era in Collaborative Partnership
September 6, 2019 - Olmsted Falls City School District and Vitamix came together at a special pre-game ceremony for the official dedication of Vitamix Field at Charles A. Harding Stadium. The event took place ahead of the Olmsted Falls High School varsity football game versus Berea-Midpark High School, the first home game of the fall 2019 season for Olmsted Falls.
Special guest attendees from Vitamix were:
- John Barnard, executive
chairman
- Linda Barnard
- David Barnard
- Don Snyder, senior vice president of global sales
- Scott Hackman, vice president of strategy, business insights, brand, and marketing operations
- Alison Hines, recruiting manager and human resources business partner
Joining Vitamix on the field for the special dedication from Olmsted Falls City School District were:
- Dr. Jim Lloyd, superintendent
- Holly Neuman, board of education president
- Leo Spagnola, Olmsted Falls High School principal
- Students from the Olmsted Falls High School marching band, varsity cheerleading squad, and student marketing team
Olmsted Falls High School resident sports announcer and social studies teacher Mr. Tom Gibeaut introduced the special guest participants to a packed crowd and provided background on the depth of the growing partnership between Olmsted Falls City Schools and internationally renowned Vitamix. The pre-game ceremony concluded with John Barnard untying a ribbon to officially mark the dedication of Vitamix Field. The Vitamix on-field logo is featured on both the home and visitor sidelines of the field, with each individual logo measuring 55 feet in length and 12 feet in height.
“The dedication of Vitamix Field exemplifies community partnership at the most collaborative level,” said Dr. Jim Lloyd. “In our district’s newly expanded relationship with Vitamix, the company has not only provided resources connected to its Top Dog Field Naming Sponsorship of Vitamix Field, but has also extended their commitment to Olmsted Falls City Schools into the district’s classrooms, kitchens and cafeterias.”
“It was a true pleasure to celebrate this partnership, along with so many community members in attendance, at the OFHS varsity football home opener,” added Dr. Lloyd.
“We are thrilled to partner so closely with the Olmsted Falls City Schools,” said Vitamix President and CEO Dr. Jodi L. Berg. “Vitamix has been a member of the Olmsted community for more than 70 years, so it’s an honor to contribute in this way to one of Northeast Ohio’s premier school districts. Our corporate purpose is to liberate and nourish the zest for life. Doing that for Olmsted Falls students is a wonderful opportunity that our employees will relish.”
In recent months, Vitamix executives and team members have been working closely with district administrators and educators to infuse real-world experiences into our high school curriculum. As part of this deeper partnership, multiple groups of Olmsted Falls High School students recently visited Vitamix headquarters to participate in a valuable mock interview experience. This is just one example of incredible experiences to come.
Vitamix has also been collaborating with the school district’s food services department on the creation and implementation of new menu items for our cafeterias - helping support both student and staff wellness. To support these efforts, Vitamix also donated more than $10,000 in blending equipment throughout the district’s school buildings.
A team from Vitamix will return to Vitamix Field on Friday, September 20th for Vitamix Game Night when the Bulldogs take on the North Ridgeville Rangers at the next home game scheduled on Vitamix Field at Charles A. Harding Memorial Stadium. Vitamix will be serving up sample smoothies and special giveaways while supplies last.