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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (February 27, 2019) 鈥� Stellar, a fully integrated firm focused on design, engineering, construction and mechanical services worldwide, has been named one of 904 Magazine鈥檚 2019 鈥淐ompanies with Heart.鈥� Stellar previously received the designation in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The 鈥淐ompanies with Heart鈥� award program recognizes local businesses that give their employees the time and opportunities to improve the communities where they work and live.

In 2018, Stellar鈥檚 charitable arm, The Stellar Foundation, donated time, money and resources to more than 55 charitable organizations across the First Coast.

鈥淲ith more than 750 employees working on projects as close as Atlantic Boulevard and as far as China, we are proud to call Jacksonville home,鈥� said Mike Santarone, Stellar President & COO. 鈥淥ur goal is to continually invest in making this community a better place, especially for those in need. This isn鈥檛 about a pat on the back 鈥� serving our community is our responsibility.鈥�

Supporting organizations that do good

This past year, Stellar awarded a $10,000 grant toFood Brings Hope鈥檚 annual Pearls of Hope Gala. This nonprofit organization is committed to eliminating childhood hunger in Florida鈥檚 Volusia County and Flagler County. Stellar also donated $2,500 to the charity as part of the company鈥檚 annual Christmas card campaign.

鈥淪tellar鈥檚 work in the food manufacturing industry inspires our regular donations to Food Brings Hope and their mission to end childhood hunger,鈥� said Santarone.

The company once again donated $6,000 to Rodeheaver Boys Ranch in Palatka, Florida, a nonprofit organization that provides a wholesome home environment for at-risk young men. The grant allowed the camp to purchase another van to transport the boys throughout the ranch.

In 2018, Stellar also provided a grant of $1,500 to the Jacksonville Children鈥檚 Commission for their JaxKids Book Club initiative. This early literacy program provides families the tools to foster learning and reading in pre-kindergarten children.

Another grant was given by Stellar to the North Florida School of Special Education for its Berry Good Farms Vocational Training Kitchen. Berry Good Farms provides compensated employment to individuals with intellectual and behavioral differences while providing organic produce to the community.

One of Stellar鈥檚 most notable programs is The Stellar Academy of Engineering at Nease High School, which provides students with a foundation of skills, knowledge and experience in engineering through coursework, guest lectures and course-specific field trips. The success of the program has grown to the point that 20 percent of Jacksonville students now opt to attend the academy over their neighborhood school.

As part of the company鈥檚 鈥淏elieve in the Jeans鈥� program, Stellar employees can donate to wear jeans on Fridays, with proceeds benefiting a different charity each quarter. Last year鈥檚 designated organizations were:

• Jacksonville鈥檚 Museum of Science & History (MOSH)

• Communities in Schools

• Alex鈥檚 Lemonade Stand

• The American Heart Association

Providing for those in need

For the past several years, a team of Stellar volunteers has helped prepare and serve a delicious holiday meal at the I.M. Sulzbacher Center, and this year was no exception. About 25 employees served food, decorated the center and provided holiday gifts for the children.

In 2018, Stellar employees gifted a company-record 62 Thanksgiving food baskets to local families in need at Community Hospice and donated presents to 55 children and families at Community PedsCare.

Stellar also regularly supports local hospitals, colleges and universities, and has donated thousands of dollars through the company鈥檚 Employee Match Program.

About Stellar

Stellar is a fully integrated design, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm that provides the industry鈥檚 most comprehensive range of self-performed services, including planning, design, preconstruction, construction, refrigeration, mechanical and utility, building envelope, and total operations and maintenance services. More than 750 Stellar employees worldwide create award-winning food processing plants, refrigerated warehouses, distribution centers, commercial buildings and military facilities. In addition to its Jacksonville, Florida, headquarters, Stellar operates nearly 50 support locations and offices throughout the United States, China and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The company also serves Central and South America, Europe and India. For more information, visit www.stellar.net.