Published: October 30, 2009 04:08 pm      

He’s stepping it up

Company president walks 28 miles for United Way

PLAINFIELD — They all wondered how he would top last year’s feat.

Sleeping on the roof of a building in the winter is not an easy thing to accomplish, let alone improve upon.

But J. Mark Howell, president of Brightpoint Americas, figured out a way to do it and on Wednesday he left his Carmel home at 4 a.m. and walked 28 miles to the Brightpoint North America building in Plainfield.

The journey wasn’t for health and wellness — although that is one thing Howell encourages — but for the United Way of Central Indiana.

The United Way had challenged all of the participating companies and groups to “step up” during these tough financial times and Howell did just that — literally.

He began his journey on Meridian Street and walked south from 116th Street to Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis and then out to Plainfield on Washington Street.

During his trek, Howell was cheered on by various United Way-supported agencies, including the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Big Brothers and Sisters of Central Indiana, HVAF of Indiana, Inc., Training Inc., Girls Inc. of Indianapolis, Day Nursery Association of Indianapolis, Catholic Charities Indianapolis, Julian Center, Hawthorn Center, Connect 2 Help, Volunteers of America, and Jameson Camp.

The Indianapolis Zoo also took part in welcoming Howell.

“My favorite part was how genuinely excited the workers of those agencies were,” Howell said. “It was a chance for us to say to those 12 or 14 agencies that we appreciate what you’re doing.”

Howell told his group of supporters at the Plainfield location that they wanted to help bring more awareness to the United Way.

“One of the reasons why we did this, was the United Way, much like what we’ve done here, is they took their paid media budget to zero,” Howell said. “They’re 100 percent dependent on free media, so it’s been a good day for Brightpoint, but good for the United Way today too.”

Susie Friend, area director of the United Way of Hendricks County, was at Brightpoint when Howell arrived.

“The employees here are just so very caring, and they’re having week-long events that are going on,” she said. “It’s just awesome. They’re trying to raise $100,000. Brightpoint certainly has stepped up and on the whole are trying to create more awareness. The 14 agencies and the zoo thanked Mark and it makes the employees feel they have some ownership and makes it fun. They’ve just done a tremendous job.”

The Hendricks County United Way’s goal this year is $863,000.

Friend said they are currently at about 60 percent of the goal for the year.

Brightpoint is hosting coin wars, a live and silent auction, an executive car wash (where the executives wash employees’ cars), and bake sales all week to raise money for the campaign.

Chris Scott, regional vice president of project management at Brightpoint, is also in his second year of heading up the company’s United Way campaign. Scott said he couldn’t believe what Howell was planning when he first learned of it.

“It was disbelief, knowing where he lives, and making the commitment to walk to work,” Scott said. “It all happened so quickly. The number of people coming out has been (great) and we’ve been asking the company to do the same. We’re in our fifth year for the campaign and it’s our responsibility to the community of Plainfield to help earn (for the United Way).”

Howell still had plenty of energy as he crossed the finish line in Plainfield.

“Yeah, (my feet) are tired,” he said. “I’m not tired, but my feet are tired.”

Anyone wanting to contribute to the United Way campaign can visit the website at www.liveunitedgiveunited.org.

For more information about Brightpoint, visit the website at www.brightpoint.com.

charlee.beasor@flyergroup.com