Known as a trusted provider of IT solutions, Buchertech works hard to service the technology needs of small and medium sized businesses. But there’s more to the company than technology- Buchertech gives back to the community by supporting local charities throughout the year. The giving mindset is fostered by company president Tim Bucher.
A resident of Northwest Indiana since he was born, it’s no surprise that Bucher would keep his business local and get involved with local groups to give back. “You don’t have business if you don’t have community,” he said. “You see so often people who don’t try to do business locally and don’t think about that and that’s where our lifeblood is, as serving the local community.”
Being a part of the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis is a particular passion of Bucher’s. “I’ve been real involved with Kiwanis since I joined in 1988,” he shared. “The first year I joined, my principal of high school was Lonnie Steele, and he was the president of Kiwanis and he put me on as assistant chairman of the Pancake Day because he wanted me to get involved. I’ve been involved ever since.”
Bucher spends the beginning of each year prepping for the annual fundraiser, which brings in around $18,000, all of which goes back to the community. Pancake Day is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. Bucher’s role is to organize and keep track of ticket sales, a job that requires him to get creative to inspire motivation among members.
“I always give them a little more than they sold last year, so hopefully they will sell a few more,” he stated. “Every week, I come out with a report and tell everyone where they stand,” he continued, sharing how members are divided into teams to help drive competition. “We have fun with it. It helps to get people motivated, any kind of contest, knowing that they’re trying to be the top team.”
“Kiwanis’s goal is to give back to people who don’t have as much because we’re not all blessed with the same gifts,” Bucher said. “Kiwanis, we don’t get a dime. The money raised all gets given to the community.”
Another area Bucher is particularly passionate about is the school system. He has been a part of the school board for East Porter County schools for the past 17 years.
“I got involved many years ago,” he shared. “Back then, the three schools were trying to decide whether they should consolidate into one. There was great debate in the community about three little schools or one not so small school. Some of us got real concerned about how it was going to be managed so I ran for school board and got involved and I stayed involved.”
“I’m the cheerleader of the school board. My job is to thank the teachers for what they do and the principals, and encourage them that they’re doing a great job. That’s my job.”
"It's awesome because you're trying to help kids and that's a worthwhile cause."
When he’s not running a business, volunteering with the Kiwanis, interacting with the school board, or spending time with his family, including his 4 kids who have families of their own, Bucher finds time to stay involved with his church, Apostolic Christian Church.
Serving as a Bible teacher for many years, Bucher recently found himself in a new role. “We don’t have hired pastors- I got put in as a pastor a month ago,” he shared. “As a Christian, that’s what’s most important to me is my faith.”
Some may view his life as a constant whirlwind, but Bucher takes it all in stride and looks to the greater good. “We noticed when they clear the snow off the road but we don’t appreciate all of the things that are done for us. We’ve been blessed with so much and don’t realize or don’t think about it,” he shared. “If you don’t interact with people who aren’t as blessed as you are, you start thinking that you don’t have anything special. But we all do.”
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