Community Clicks

More than 200 years ago, Benjamin Franklin said, “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water.”

The wisdom of his words still hold true today.

Just ask Rodney Delli-Gatti of Compuware’s Atlanta office.

An account manager with the company’s professional services division, Delli-Gatti is “on the case” with metro Atlanta’s controversial water supply, which is being diminished through drought. He and his wife, Dionne, are active members of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper organization, an environmental advocacy nonprofit with more than 5,000 members. The organization is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Chattahoochee River Basin – a source of drinking water for 3.5 million people in greater Atlanta.

“We participate and represent the organization at various educational and fundraising events,” Delli-Gatti said. “These range from black tie dinners, community outreach events, film festivals, concerts, silent auctions and, oddly enough, ribbon- cuttings at sewage facilities.”

They are also planning to participate in the “Sweep the Hooch Cleanup” on April 14. The Delli-Gattis have encouraged friends to help them and, other members of the organization, pick up trash at 18 sites along the 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Last year 3.3 tons of trash was pulled out of the area.

Asked why he has invited friends to help with the cleanup, Delli-Gatti said:”The river serves as a place for drinking water, agriculture, recreation and power for the Atlanta metropolitan area. So it is important to keep our waterways clean so that future generations can enjoy the river on a daily basis.”

Preparing children to appreciate and take care of the river is a special concern for the Delli-Gattis.

He has donated funds to support the organization’s floating classroom, on which thousands of students each year learn about water quality and lake ecology through hands-on activities aboard the 40-foot catamaran. The custom-built boat includes a glass bottom viewing well and holds up to 49 passengers. Last year, nearly 4,000 students and teachers participated.

“I personally have enjoyed donating to the floating classroom, as it gives local children, including inner-city kids, an opportunity to experience the beauty and importance of our rivers and lakes. Hopefully one of them will become a riverkeeper!”

Sally Bethea, executive director of the organization, values the support from the Delli-Gattis.

“They clearly believe in our mission to protect the river, which supplies drinking water to businesses and families in metro Atlanta and many other communities,” she said. “Through roles on special committees, to volunteer projects, events and member recruitment, Rodney and Dionne have shown their commitment to protecting the vital natural resources that sustain all of us.”

Knowing the value of water, Benjamin Franklin would be proud of the Delli-Gattis’ environmental advocacy now and for future generations.

Employees and their familes get their green thumbs on.

Thanks to Lafayette Greens, fresh produce is making its way into the hands of hungry people in southeastern Michigan.

Nearly 25 Compuware employees and family members harvested 100 pounds of organically-grown produce from Compuware’s community garden on Michigan and Shelby Oct. 1. That was the company’s Global Volunteer Day, when employees across the globe helped the less fortunate in their communities.

Compuware gave the harvest to Gleaners Community Food Bank, which provides more than 80,000 meals a day to the hungry in five counties in southeastern Michigan. (more…)

Ceremonial planting: From left, Gwen Meyer, garden manager; Executive Chairman Peter Karmanos Jr., Mayor Dave Bing and Rachelle Bonelli, of Gleaners Food Bank.

Hundreds of Compuware employees, metro Detroiters and media representatives turned out for the Aug. 31 opening of Lafayette Greens, Compuware’s first urban garden.

The crowd gathered at Lafayette and Shelby to see the flowers, vegetables and fruit trees and hear remarks from Compuware Executive Chairman Peter Karmanos Jr., Mayor Dave Bing and Rachelle Bonelli of Gleaners Food Bank. Gleaners will receive the produce from the urban garden.

“It’s a spectacular setting, another extraordinary step forward to exciting things happening in downtown Detroit,” said the master of ceremonies Devin Scillian of WDIV-TV. He added: “The tasty appetizers were grown from the garden.” (more…)