Annapolis-Based Technology Firm Gives Back To Severna Park

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By Ellen Kinsella
@Elliekins58

@SPVoice

At a time when the news is saturated with disturbing stories of corporate greed, it’s refreshing to hear about a company that works diligently to contribute to the community.

Sidus Data, an Annapolis corporation that provides managed web hosting, design and consulting, launched its Sidus Shares program to benefit local not-for-profit organizations. Sidus has contributed almost $750,000 in donations and gifts since the program’s inception in 1999, which primarily benefit wounded veterans, organizations that employ the disadvantaged or disabled, and local education initiatives.

Sidus CEO and Co-founder Jason Silva explained how beneficiaries are selected. “We choose local nonprofits that are looking to improve the lives of others,” he said. While their focus is local, they also serve chapters of national charities like the Wounded Warriors Foundation and the American Heart Association.

Other organizations served by Sidus Shares web development and hosting include Opportunity Builders, Inc., Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Anne Arundel Community Action Agency, Seeds 4 Success, Anne Arundel Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Severna Park High School, Severna Park High School Falcon Athletic Boosters and others. “We help them establish their websites on a pro-bono basis,” stated Silva.

Thirteen years ago, the concept of Sidus Shares was a group decision conceived by the company's three founders: Silva, Principal Mark Powell and Chief Technology Officer Vincent Hardick.

"All three of us live in the Severna Park and Arnold area, we're already active in the community, and we all understand that part of having a successful business is helping those who need help. It's important to give back to the local community and help make it stronger," stated Silva.

One of the projects Sidus is most proud of is their work with the 21st Century Education Foundation. "They promote collaborative efforts to meet the needs of public schools, using the resources of businesses in the community to help support success after school," explained Silva. "We work in a sponsorship role, and have done a lot of web presence for them and sponsored job fairs."

Another highlighted project has been with Hospice of the Chesapeake, which Sidus has supported since its establishment. “Over the years we’ve spent time on their boards and provided website assistance and technology consulting, which has allowed them to focus on caregiving rather than overhead. Everyone at Sidus has been touched by Hospice in some way, so they’re very special to us.”

Establishing a professional web presence for a large agency sometimes runs as high as $15,000 to $20,000. Since Sidus can provide web help, and even high-level hosting and web design on a gift-in-kind basis, they feel it’s only natural to help them out. “We’re happy to be able to do that,” declared Silva.

Recalling his beginnings in Massachusetts, where he grew up economically disadvantaged, Silva explained he will never forget his roots. “I will always know I’m where I am because people helped me along the way. Everyone deserves that,” he humbly concluded.

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