GAST Earns Whirlpool Community Commitment Award for local impact

The United Way of Southwest Michigan recently honored our IDEX colleagues at Gast with the 2025 Whirlpool Community Commitment Award, celebrating the site team’s volunteerism throughout last year.

More than a dozen Gast team members attended the United Way Awards ceremony to be present to receive the honor.  The award reflects the collective effort of GAST employees who gave their time, energy and resources to support neighbors across the Benton Harbor, Michigan, community in 2025.

Highlights of the team’s community contributions include:

• 115 Gast employees volunteered in 2025, representing more than 43% site participation
• Four blood drives resulted in 95 total units donated.
• Six mobile food pantries served 3,008 people, including children, seniors and veterans.
• Rake A Difference marked its 15th year, with 50 employees helping with fall cleanup for seniors unable to do so themselves
• Kit Pack events delivered 250 kits to five local agencies.
• IDEX Food Insecurity Challenge supported the Salvation Army.
• Employees supported community events including Rock the Boat, United Way activities and a Day of Caring at Eden Springs Historical Park.
• Additional efforts included Toys for Tots, Thanksgiving turkey donations and holiday support for families at the Emergency Shelter.

The IDEX Foundation contributed more than $50,000 in support of these efforts.

“None of this happens without people willing to show up, give their time and lead with purpose,” IDEX Performance Pneumatics President Krishna Ranganathan wrote to the Gast team. “This award belongs to all of you — the volunteers, the organizers, the leaders and everyone who supported these efforts in big and small ways.”

Ranganathan offered special thanks to Sue Willming and the volunteer team for their sustained leadership and coordination, and to every employee who chose to serve the community.

Willming was also nominated for a Lifetime Community Service Award for the second year in a row — recognition of her ongoing commitment and the example she sets through years of service.

Together, the team’s efforts expanded support for families in need. It’s a strong reflection of IDEX’s commitment to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.

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