How This Ann Arbor Tech Company is ‘Cooking Up Comfort’

For many companies, corporate social responsibility efforts often fall flat. At AccumTech, community engagement isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s a genuine part of their culture. 

Based in Ann Arbor, Mich. AccumTech builds custom technology in the healthcare data space. Their software helps simplify the data exchange process for healthcare service providers. Composed of passionate, collaborative, and fun individuals, the AccumTech team is on a mission to make a difference both inside and outside the office. 

For Caroline Wilks, VP of Organizational Effectiveness at AccumTech, that means volunteering her time at Ronald McDonald House. 

“Volunteering has always been really important to me ever since graduating from college. I am very fortunate with what I have, and feel it's important to pass it forward and give back to others [in need of support],” Caroline said.

When Caroline started at the company in early 2020, the organization had a number of community engagements and drives for monthly donations. After the pandemic lockdown, the team collaborated to get it started again, but they wanted to pick an organization and really dive deep into working with them. 

Ann Arbor is a fortunate community where many charities have a waitlist of volunteers. Ronald McDonald House had an immediate need, and the AccumTech team found the perfect fit. 

Cooking up comfort — and compassion

Ronald McDonald House is a global organization that’s been supporting families for fifty years. They provide a home away from home for the families who have children in hospitals. In Ann Arbor, the Ronald McDonald House supports families whose children are hospitalized, many of which come from out of state to receive treatment at Mott Children Hospital. 

One way people help out is through their “Cooking Up Comfort” and “Chef For A Day” programs, where volunteers make meals for the families staying at the house. Often, the families don’t have the time or energy to cook, and it’s one way for volunteers to take something off their plate by putting something on it.

Image credit: AccumTech

When AccumTech decided to focus their efforts on a single cause, the Ronald McDonald House in Ann Arbor emerged as a natural partner. The nonprofit's mission to support families with children facing severe medical needs aligned perfectly with AccumTech's values and its connection to the healthcare industry.

“It's important for us to give back in the area we work in,” Caroline said. 

AccumTech is also home to many active interest groups, one of the most popular being Culinary Connoisseurs. Combining the team’s shared passion for cooking and community involvement, working with Ronald McDonald House was the perfect opportunity. About every other month, the team gathers eight volunteers to make and serve meals at Ronald McDonald House in Ann Arbor. Caroline said there’s usually a waiting list because AccumTech employees are so excited to contribute. 

Christine Stowe, Senior Business Analyst, enjoys volunteering there so much that she even got her bookclub to take on a few shifts, too.

"When you walk into Ronald McDonald House, you get pulled into it. After my first volunteering opportunity, I was so moved by the experience,” Christine said. 

Caroline, who serves as a kitchen captain along with her colleague Dan, said, "People have really latched onto it. We have lots of repeat volunteers, with many participating three or more times."

Over the course of seven volunteer shifts, AccumTech has served meals to 210 families — and counting.

But the program does more than just provide meals; it also offers a moment of respite for families going through challenging times. Christine recalled a time when a family approached the volunteers. A father and his daughters expressed their gratitude for what they were doing and showed them a picture of his four-year-old son who was in the hospital with a heart condition.

“I was very emotional when I left. But when you’re there, you know you’re helping them,” Christine said. “It's one less thing the family has to think about. We're there to alleviate their stress, and you know you’re making a difference.”

Building connections beyond the office

One of the most significant impacts of the volunteer program has been its effect on AccumTech's internal culture. The initiative brings together employees from different departments and levels of expertise, fostering connections that might not have formed otherwise.

“You get to work with people you might never work with regularly,” Caroline said. “It's a cross-collaborative experience that brings our team closer together.”

It also is a true testament to AccumTech's culture and its people.

Image credit: AccumTech

“It’s a perfect example of who AccumTech is. It's such a special group of people. Everyone in the office is so helpful and kind to each other, and this is just an extension of what we do in the office and taking it one step further,” Christine said. 

As AccumTech's relationship with Ronald McDonald House grows, so do their plans for support. In addition to the monthly Cooking Up Comfort program, the company has organized a "Stock the Pantry" drive and plans to participate in gift-wrapping events during the holiday season and find additional quarterly opportunities to volunteer in 2025.

In a world where corporate culture often focuses solely on business metrics, AccumTech stands out as an example of how a company can foster a culture of compassion, teamwork, and community engagement. Through their work with Ronald McDonald House, AccumTech is building a stronger, more connected team that's making a real difference in their industry — and their community.