By Noah Baptiste
For The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, supporting Kennedy Krieger Institute brings the opportunity to make a difference in the business’s home community—and beyond. The two organizations have a shared history in Baltimore City and have developed a strong relationship that began in 1980.
“Whiting-Turner is deeply connected to Baltimore,” says Bob Moore, a senior vice president and national healthcare leader for Whiting-Turner. “So, it’s natural that we want to support organizations that make Baltimore a better place for everybody.”
Over the past 45 years, Whiting-Turner has sponsored and participated in many Kennedy Krieger events, including the Institute’s annual Festival of Trees, for which company teams have designed several construction-themed holiday trees for sale to benefit the Institute. “It gets our staff involved in something that’s fun and meaningful with an organization that they truly believe in,” Bob says. Whiting-Turner has also made multiple contributions to Kennedy Krieger’s capital campaigns.
We’re grateful to be able to contribute to Kennedy Krieger’s incredible work in helping children and families.” – Bob Moore
For more than two decades, Whiting-Turner has hosted Block Kids, a yearly event that teaches students at Kennedy Krieger’s Fairmount Campus elementary and middle school about construction and trade skills through hands-on activities. At Block Kids, students attend a trades fair where they learn skills—such as painting drywall and laying carpet—from professional tradespeople. Afterward, there’s a Lego brick-building contest, in which the students use their creativity to build structures.
“Block Kids lets students explore their potential and experience the joy of creating something with their own hands,” Bob explains. “It helps build their confidence, encourages teamwork and teaches them problem-solving skills.”
In June of 2024, Whiting- Turner committed to a generous multiyear partnership with Kennedy Krieger in which Whiting-Turner staff members volunteer at Kennedy Krieger events, and Kennedy Krieger experts give presentations to Whiting-Turner employees on pediatric topics of interest.
The partnership supports the goals of both organizations and deepens their long-standing relationship. “Giving back through community involvement aligns with our core values,” Bob says. “We’re grateful to be able to contribute to Kennedy Krieger’s incredible work in helping children and families.”