Charles Okang
EMCOR Services New England Mechanical (NEMSI)

While traveling to Ghana, West Africa for the funeral of his sister, Charles heard about a baby that was abandoned by the roadside. Determined to do something, Charles organized fund raising concerts, silver coin collections and sales of artifacts from Ghana to help raise money to build a home for these abandoned children.

In July, 2006, after raising $48,000 and purchasing a piece of property in Accura, Ghana, the Love-a-Lot Children's Home was built. Its mission is to provide safe homes, and nurturing and developmental programs for orphaned babies. Not satisfied with this huge accomplishment,

Charles is currently working on promoting the adoption of these kids to responsible and loving families, raising $32,000 to purchase 2 acres of land in Ghana, and raising funds to build modern facilities for the children and extend the services to children with special needs.

Mark Cummings

EMCOR Services Betlem Service Corp.

Mark has served over 20 years with the Point Pleasant Fire Department, holding several positions including president for two years.

On September 9, 2006, a call came in for a single family house fire. On the scene, police determined two people were trapped in the building. Mark erected a ladder to the second floor window and helped to rescue an unconscious adult female. A three year old female was also found laying unconscious on the top stairs. Both victims had severe burns and lung damage.

The adult female succumbed to her injuries two months later but the little girl named Serena, continues to recover today.

Mark had arranged a fundraiser at the firehouse for the Serena Smile Fund to which thousands of dollars were contributed to help offset the ongoing hospital care she is receiving.