The team at OCS is dedicated to supporting our community through various means. OCS is proactive and resolute when it comes to community involvement. Both OCS offices – in Pennsylvania and Minnesota – have philanthropy committees with dedicated members who organize efforts and give back to the local communities throughout the year. We also partner with various non-profits both within the equipment finance industry (like Equipment Finance Cares and NEFA) and with local charities in our respective communities. At Oakmont, we’re committed to fostering a work environment that balances professionalism with collaboration and enjoyment. These core values not only guide our business operations but also elevate our approach to community engagement and philanthropy. In 2024, let’s recap how We Make It Possible…together!
West Chester Food Cupboard Volunteer Day
In March of 2024, Bill Schmidt, D.J. Jackson, Jan Bohan, and Keara Piekanski from OCS’ Pennsylvania branch volunteered at the West Chester Food Cupboard, a 100% volunteer-based organization whose mission is to help combat food insecurity in Chester County.
OCS made a collective contribution of $540 to the food cupboard, combining donations from both the company and individual employees. The OCS team also provided non-perishable food items gathered during their spring food drive.
Pictured left to right: D.J. Jackson sweeping WCFC’s floors; Bill Schmidt, D.J., and Jan Bohan present the WCFC with a $500 donation; Keara M. Piekanski bagging produce for customers.
Quiet Oaks Hospice House Volunteer Days
Members of Oakmont Capital Services’ Minnesota team dedicated two days to volunteer at the Quiet Oaks Hospice House. On the first day, Alyson Och, Kristy Doll, and Sara Birr worked in the gardens to prepare them for Spring. Meanwhile, Clay Fischer and Sarah Olmscheid painted the interior of the house, and Debbie Waldron focused on cleaning the windows.
Day two of volunteering consisted of Amanda Bialka, Debbie Waldron, Kayleen Redman, and Mikki Henkelman, along with their children, baking homemade cookies for the residents and their families.
Spring was approaching, so on day 1, Kristy Doll, Sara Birr, and Alyson Och prepped and cleared out the gardens. Day 2 included cookie baking for Quiet Oaks residents and their families. Kayleen Redman, Mikki Henkelman, Debbie Waldron, and Amanda Bialka staffed the ovens and ended the day with a little spring cleaning. Finally, Clay Fischer and Sarah Olmscheid provided a fresh coat of paint to a few walls around the property.
NEFA Charity Event Sponsorship (MN & PA)
The National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) is a non-profit trade association serving the equipment finance and leasing industry. Mikki Henkelman, CLFP, and VP Credit & Risk at OCS, who is also a member of the NEFA Philanthropy Committee, helped organize a lively karaoke fundraiser benefiting Laura’s House, a domestic violence shelter serving 16 communities in Orange County, California. The event combined industry networking with charitable giving, offering attendees an evening of music, food, and engaging conversations.
Pictured left to right: Mikki Henkelman and industry colleagues belt it out for Laura’s House; Sean Scampton of Leasepath gave it his all and impressed the group; Mikki is all smiles (and she should be, she helped put on an amazing event!)
Making Albany Beautiful Clean-Up
Maria Trettel, who works at OCS’ Minnesota office, orchestrated an event aimed at revitalizing Albany’s aesthetic charm after a long winter covered in snow. The dedicated cleanup team, comprising Alyson Och, Grant Mergen, and Kendra Lange from the Credit Department, and Lead Account Manager, Kristy Doll, devoted several hours to removing trash and litter throughout Albany. Their efforts were focused on restoring the community’s beauty to usher in the spring.
The dream team was all smiles as they collected trash and litter in their town of Albany.
Equipment Finance Cares Event (EFC)
Equipment Finance Cares (EFC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, arranges a series of events throughout the year that unite professionals in the equipment finance industry. These gatherings serve a dual purpose: they provide a platform for raising funds to support a diverse array of philanthropic organizations, while simultaneously fostering valuable professional opportunities (learning and networking) among industry peers. Through these initiatives, EFC not only amplifies the impact of charitable giving within the sector but also strengthens the fabric of the equipment finance community.
Pictured from left to right: OCS CEO, Joe Leonard, and Founder of Equipment Finance Cares, Jesse Johnson; Jesse Johnson with Senior Vice President of J.A. Mitsui Leasing Group, Charles Stackhouse; and Charles Stackhouse with OCS’ VP of Marketing & Communications, Keara M. Piekanski.
In 2023, Jesse Johnson, the visionary founder of Equipment Finance Cares (EFC), reached out to OCS Leadership with an exciting proposition: hosting the spring EFC Event in Philadelphia in May 2024. Recognizing the immense potential of this opportunity, OCS eagerly embraced the challenge. The company swiftly entrusted its skilled marketing team with the task of orchestrating this significant industry gathering.
The event found its perfect setting in the heart of Old City, at the esteemed Museum of the American Revolution. This historic venue provided a fitting backdrop for an occasion that would bring together industry leaders and philanthropists, embodying the spirit of innovation and community that defines both EFC and the equipment finance sector. OCS was proud to sponsor the event in its home city and showcase its industry leadership while reconnecting with longstanding partners and forging new relationships. The event’s seamless execution and polished aesthetics were a tag team effort between Keara M. Piekanski, MBA, CLFP & VP of Marketing and Communications and Rolando Corpus, Sr. Visual Designer, who successfully designed all aspects of the gathering, from eye-catching signage to engaging collateral materials. Rolando also served as the event’s on-site photographer, capturing the day’s significant moments.
George Krusen, CLFP & CFO, and Keara M. Piekanski delivered an engaging presentation about OCS’s commitment to giving back. They spoke about the various ways OCS helps the community through its charitable programs, focusing on combatting food insecurity. Their presentation demonstrated that Oakmont is dedicated not just to its business goals, but also to making a positive impact on its communities.
Pictured left to right: George Krusen, CFO, and Keara M. Piekanski, VP of Marketing and Communications, delivering a presentation showcasing OCS’ commitment to community support through various philanthropic initiatives; Joe Leonard, OCS’ CEO, speaking with George Krusen and Jeffrey Bilbrey, CEO of Leasepath.
Post-event, EFC donated funds to OCS-designated charities. Because of this generous donation, the West Chester Food Cupboard and the Albany Food Pantry have been able to further their mission to combat food insecurity. The non-profits that were showcased during the event included:
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Chris Walker Educational Fund-National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA)
Pictured from left to right: Donna Yanuzzi EVP of 1st Equipment Finance speaking for Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia; and Founder & President of Love Life Now Foundation, Lovern J. Gordon.
Indy Foundation Bake Sale/Silent Auction
Each year, OCS recognizes National Cancer Awareness month. This year, the Minnesota office organized a bake sale to support the INDY Foundation, which stands for “I’m Not Done Yet.” This local organization helps people fighting cancer by providing financial assistance and support.
The bake sale was a big success, with OCS Minnesota raising a total of $1,006. Tracey Schneider’s Classic Cake Pop Bouquet was the star of the show, bringing in the most money for a single item. Meanwhile, Jenny Goebel’s Specialty Cupcakes earned her the title of top fundraiser among all the bakers.
Pictured left to right: All of the sweet treats and baked goods brought in by OCS employees; Tracy Schneider and Jenny Goebel, who won the bidding wars; the donation box surrounded by Tracy’s cake pops; Amanda Bialka and the rest of the Albany office are thrilled they can help the Indy Foundation and satisfy their sweet tooths all at once.
Henry’s Heroes 2nd Annual Walk
The year 2024 marks the second annual walk for Henry’s Heroes, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for families experiencing the challenging journey of having a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Central Minnesota.
OCS has been actively involved with Henry’s Heroes since their first walk in 2023. The Minnesota attendees included Kayla Perlinger and her son, Amanda Fischer and her son, Stephanie Wentland and her family, and Tracey Elfering.
Pictured left to right: Kayla Perlinger and her son with Amanda Fischer and her son; Kayla and son taking a pre-walk selfie; OCS Minnesota attendees are proud to see Oakmont Capital Services listed alongside scores of sponsors.
Pockets of Hope Backpack Fundraiser
Pockets of Hope is a Central Minnesota-based organization dedicated to filling backpacks with personal items for foster children, offering them a sense of ownership and a beacon of hope.
In July, OCS’ Albany Branch spent a day working with Pockets of Hope to fill backpacks. One backpack provided for the child contains the items they need for the first night(s) away from their family until a permanent placement home is found.
In October, OCS held a soup drive to raise money to pack backpacks and provide support to foster children in the local area. OCS raised over $562 and were able to pack 20 backpacks for the children entering the Minnesota foster care system.
Pictured to the left is Alicia Moening and Maggie Terres. On the right, is all the soup OCS prepared in support of Pockets of Hope.
Holdingford Booster Club Golf Tournament
OCS had the privilege of sponsoring the 10th Annual Holdingford Husker Booster Club Golf Tournament in Sartell, MN. This year, joining OCS’ Business Development Officer Molly Sand on the green was fellow OCS finance professional Brittany Loehning.
Pictured above is Molly Sand and her husband with Brittany Loehning and her husband.
ALS Bake Sale
OCS MN organized a fundraiser to support the ALS in the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Members of the OCS team then participated in the ALS Walk to help support a team member whose family member is battling this disease.
The team successfully raised $1,150, which was fully donated to the ALS Association.
Brandywine Valley SPCA Volunteer Days
The Brandywine Valley SPCA is the region’s largest animal welfare organization. Their goal is to end animal suffering and to involve the community in the well-being of animals.
OCS PA spent two days volunteering at the Brandywine Valley SPCA. On the first day, D.J. Jackson, Jan Bohan, Rolando Corpus, and Bill Schmidt spent their time cleaning out cat crates, handing out Kongs filled with peanut butter, and getting to play with new furry friends.
On day two, Jan Bohan, Maddie Moynihan, and Rolando Corpus participated in the BVSPCA program called Shelter Skip Day. This program allows you to sign out a shelter dog for a few hours or an entire day and take them to any pet-friendly location. This experience greatly benefits shelter dogs by helping them get accustomed to being around people. Jan, Maddie, and Rolando brought their shelter dogs to West Goshen Community Park, where the dogs enjoyed a long walk and had a chance to play with the volunteers.
Pictured to the left: D.J. Jackson, Rolando Corpus, Jan Bohan, and Bill Schmidt. Pictured in the middle: D.J. Jackson and Bill Schmidt filling Kongs for the dogs. Pictured to the right: furry friend ready for adoption!
Albany/Avon Fire Department Annual Golf Tournament
OCS proudly sponsored the 23rd Annual Golf Fundraiser hosted by the Albany and Avon Fire Departments at the beautiful Albany Golf Club. Tracey Schneider, CLFP and Finance Coordinator Supervisor, and Sara Birr, Documentation Supervisor, represented OCS on the green.
Pictured are Sara Birr and her husband with Tracey Schnieder and her husband.
Albany Pioneer Days
OCS MN volunteered again this year at the Albany Pioneer Days hosted by the Stearns County Pioneer Club.
OCS team members were happy to give their time over two days to support this nonprofit organization, assisting in the celebration of Albany’s culture and traditions. They directed traffic, helped with the ticket booth, and sold snacks.
Pictured (from left to right) are Jenny Goebel, Kayleen Redman, Debbie Moritz, Hailey Nathe, Kendra Kalthoff, Sara Birr, Deb Reber, Stephanie Wentland, Sara Birr, and Brittany Elliot helping out at the ticket booth.
Nicholas P. Koening Hero Foundation: Moonlight Golf Scramble
The Nicholas P. Koening (NPK) Hero Foundation was created to honor Nicholas P. Koening who passed away from Acute Myeloid Leukemia, while offering support to families impacted by pediatric cancer.
In September, the NPK Foundation organized a Moonlight Golf Scramble to raise funds for families affected by pediatric cancer. Debbie Waldron, Collections Specialist, attended this sold-out
ALS Coffee and Walk
In September, Kendra Austing organized a walk and coffee sale, with all proceeds going to the ALS Association to support research toward finding a cure.
The OCS team walked around Lake George in St. Cloud, Minnesota to raise funds for the ALS Association’s research efforts.
Kendra’s family was also selling bracelets in honor of her mother-in-law to help support the ALS Association at Delish, a local coffee shop in Freeport, MN. Delish offered a 50-cent discount on each cup of coffee for anyone who made a donation to the bracelets available at the shop.
Pictured to the left is the group from OCS MN who went and bought coffee at Delish in honor of the ALS Association. Pictured in the middle is the bucket Kendra Austing’s family created to support her mother-in-law. Pictured to the right is the group who walked around Lake George to raise money for the ALS Association.
Miracle League
The Miracle League is a non-profit organization that breaks down the obstacles that prevent children with physical and mental disabilities from playing baseball. These games are held on specifically designed rubberized turf fields which allow support with assistive devices, are wheelchair accessible and reduce the risk of injuries.
OCS’ Minnesota branch had a fantastic time volunteering with the Miracle League of Central Minnesota in September.
DAP Gift Card Drive
The Domestic Abuse Project (DAP) of Delaware County is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide safety, advocacy, and supportive services to victims of domestic abuse.
OCS PA partnered with DAP for a gift card drive, benefiting the clients served by the non-profit. OCS employees contributed gift cards totaling $275 and OCS purchased $250 worth, totaling $575.
Sam Garland Memorial Tournament
This year marks the second year of sponsoring a hole for the Sam Garland Memorial Golf Tournament. One of OCS’ employees, Brooke Poepping, had a close friend, Sam Garland, who was diagnosed with leukemia. Unfortunately, in 2018, Sam lost his battle. The friends of Sam created this memorial in honor of him and to raise money for the Leukemia Research Foundation.
Quiet Oaks Hospice House Volunteer Days
OCS MN got the chance to volunteer for two more days at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in the fall. On day one, Sarah Olmscheid, Kayleen Redman, Alyson Och, and Debbie Waldron, volunteered by completing a walking trail. They raked, shoveled, and tampered. Next year’s goal is to add mulch to the sides of the trail.
On day two, Donna Eveslage, Kendra Kalthoff, Deb Reber, and Hailey Nathe, “baked” it possible for residents. They made Krispy Chocolate Logs, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting, Pumpkin Bars, Sugar Cookies, and a Sugar Cookie Bar.
Pictured from left to right: Sarah Olmscheid, Kayleen Redman, Debbie Waldron, and Alyson Och fixing up the walking trail, Donna Eveslage, Kendra Kalthoff, Deb Reber, and Hailey Nathe baking treats and cleaning the hospice house.
Forget Me Not Gala
In September, the Brandywine Valley SPCA hosted its premier charitable event, the Forget Me Not Gala. Keara M. Piekanski, VP of Marketing and Communications attended the gala with her husband. The night was filled with food, entertainment, adoptable pets, and a silent and live auction. OCS was a “Cat’s Meow” sponsor, donating $1,000 to the cause!
Pictured is Keara Piekanski and her husband.
Cookies for Kids Cancer
Cookies for Kids Cancer is a non-profit organization that is committed to raising funds for the research of pediatric cancer.
The OCS PA Philanthropy Committee hosted two cookie days to benefit Cookies for Kids Cancer.
OCS employees contributed $150, with an OCS match totaling $300 for this fantastic cause. In addition, Cookies for Kids Cancer corporate sponsor OXO matched donations, so our efforts equaled a total of $600!
Joel Birr Memorial Foundation Bake Sale
In December, OCS’ Minnesota office held a bake sale in support of the Joel Birr Foundation in memory of Eric Stocker.
The Joel Birr Memorial Foundation was originally set up for yearly scholarships for local schools around Albany, MN. With overwhelming support, this scholarship fundraiser turned into a foundation with a mission of bringing a smile to those in need.
OCS brought in $1,388 that was donated to this foundation to honor Eric’s memory, a loved one our OCS family lost in 2024.
DAP Adopt-A-Family
This holiday season, OCS PA partnered with the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County and participated in their Adopt-A-Family program.
The OCS Cares PA team adopted a family of six this year, raising over $450 to purchase gifts. Each family member, including one adult, received several gifts from their wishlist.
OCS hopes our efforts spread some holiday cheer to our Keystone State neighbors!
Make the Holidays Brighter
2024 marks the second year the OCS Minnesota branch partnered with Snap Fitness, Albany, which works directly with the Paynesville School District. At OCS, we collected pledges from our team members and asked each volunteer to shop for a specific child.
OCS and Snap Fitness supplied over 200 gifts to 8 families, including 26 children and their parents! Additionally, with the leftover donation funds, we were able to give each family a $100 gift card for gas and groceries.
Our team at OCS hopes this effort brought some joy to the recent holiday season for our North Star State neighbors!
More Caring Coming in 2025!
Interested in learning more about OCS Cares and our mission to give back to our local communities or get involved? Reach out to ocscares@OakmontFinance.com
Since 1998, Oakmont Capital Services (OCS) has helped owners across various industries finance the equipment needed to run small to medium-sized businesses. OCS, part of JA Mitsui Leasing USA Holdings, provides fast, easy, flexible, and reliable commercial financing and working capital with a streamlined, tech-forward approach. The OCS team in both Pennsylvania and Minnesota are passionate about helping fuel business growth for their customers and partners. We Make It Possible. For more information, visit www.oakmontfinance.com.
