Doug Vaughn, owner of Rite Quality Office Supply, received top prize for charitable works

ECi Software Solutions, a leader in industry-specific information technology solutions, announced the finalists and winner of its annual Everyday Hero Award. The announcement was officially made November 2nd during the General Session and Kickoff of Connect Conference, ECi’s annual users’ meeting.

Each day employees at ECi hear the stories of awesome things their customers are doing that positively impact the lives of those around them; the Everyday Hero Award recognizes this community and charity work. Out of a field of 33 peer-nominated candidates, the top three were chosen by an independent panel and the winner announced at Connect Conference. ECi made a donation on behalf of each finalist to the charity of their choice.

“Embracing Community is one of ECi’s core values,” said Traci Johnson, SVP of Global Corporate Marketing. “We encourage and reward our employees who take the time to help others locally, and celebrating our customers’ efforts at embracing their own communities just makes sense. This award is one small way that ECi can give back to our customers who do so much for others.  We’d like to congratulate all the finalists and each person who submitted a nomination; we are inspired by your hard work and efforts to make the world a better place.”  

This year’s first place winner was Doug Vaughn, owner of Rite Quality Office Supply located in Kokomo, IN. Vaughn, who was born in Haiti and moved to the U.S. with his adoptive parents, contributes time and money to 30 local organizations. He also founded H.E.S.P. (Haitian Environmental Support Program - www.hespchildren.org) in 1981, which has supported destitute children in Haiti every year since its establishment, including after the devastating 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in September of this year. “The act of kindness that the ECi team showed me through the Everyday Hero Award revealed their sincere desire to make a positive difference in humanity,” said Vaughn. “The $5000 given to H.E.S.P. will go a long way in providing clean water, food, clothes and education for thousands of people in Haiti.”

First runner up went to Beverly Truran of Data Metalcraft, Inc. in Chaska, MN. Truran coordinates many efforts in her community including northern Minnesota Native American reservations, senior citizen dinners, Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, Feed My Starving Children, Northside Life, Good360, and the convent renovation of Our Lady of Victory Church, where she also works to provide services for the nuns.

Second runner up was awarded to Marci and Adam Prost.  Adam is an employee of Bailey Office Equipment in Ottumwa, IA. The Prosts started a non-profit group, Sharing The Weight, after their experience with their son who was diagnosed with autism.  Sharing The Weight coordinates volunteers in several states who create weighted blankets by hand and distribute them worldwide. These blankets allow the children to sleep through the night, resulting in a nearly 90% success rate in developmental improvements.

More information on the Everyday Hero Award and videos on each of the three finalists can be found on the ECi Everyday Hero page.

About ECi

The ECi Software Solutions family of companies provides business and e-commerce solutions, offering on-premise and cloud-based technologies. For 30+ years, ECi’s companies have served small to medium sized manufacturing, wholesale/retail distribution, building and construction, and field services organizations. Privately held, ECi is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, with offices and companies throughout the U.S., Australia, England, New Zealand and the Netherlands. For information, email info@ecisolutions.com, visit www.ECiSolutions.com, or call (800) 959-3367.