Alterra Raises Money for Employee Who Lost Home in a Fire

Fred Maldonado, second from right, was presented with a check in excess of $19,000 by Alterra, to help he and his family get back on its feet.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Alterra Pest Control came to the aid of an employee in need.

In May, Fred Maldonado, a service professional at Alterra’s Sacramento, Calif., office, and his family of five, found themselves homeless after losing their house to a fire. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, but the Maldonados, who did not have insurance, lost almost everything.

When Maldonado returned to work, he informed branch manager Nat Hansen of what happened and that he would need to take some time off that day to look for an apartment.

Maldonado’s ordeal got back to Alterra CEO David Royce, who decided that the company needed to do something to help Maldonado and his family get back on its feet. David Royce and Alterra CCO Derrick Royce brainstormed and came up with "Operation Support Fred," a charity drive in which every employee was encouraged to donate a minimum $10 donation. Flyers were created and sent out to all employees at 16 different branches.

Alterra CEO David Royce

To the Royce’s amazement, total donations received were more than $19,000 (including $7,500 from David Royce on behalf of Alterra).  “I thought we might be able to raise $10,000, but our employees really came through,” David Royce said. “It was really cool and exciting, and it serves as a great example of the culture that we are trying to build at our company.”

Alterra wanted to surprise the Maldonados, so the charity drive was kept quiet. The company then presented the check to the Maldonados at a recent branch barbeque, and the family was “blown away” by this generous outpouring.