We love agencies that take the time to give back to the community.
In celebration of its one-year anniversary, VMLY&R will close all 82 offices across the globe on Thursday, Sept. 26, to give more than 6,500 employees the opportunity to support their local communities through volunteer projects
This year’s theme for what the agency calls their “Worldwide Foundation Day”is “Connecting Hearts, We Are One.”
The theme highlights the collective impact of all employees rolling up their sleeves to give back in meaningful ways over the same 24-hour period.
Created in 2005 as an employee-funded and employee-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Worldwide Foundation Day is a signature program of the agency’s corporate giving foundation.
The organization recently surpassed $2.2 million in charitable donations. More than 50% of U.S.-based VMLY&R employees contribute to the VMLY&R Foundation fund through payroll deduction.
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our one-year anniversary as a unified force than by giving back in the communities that foster our success,” said Jon Cook, global CEO.
Cook adds, “One of our core values is ‘abundantly generous,’ and Foundation Day wonderfully embodies that spirit. Our employees select the community partners we work with on Foundation Day, and volunteer project leads handle all of the planning, so we maximize our collective efforts.”
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WPP announced VMLY&R on Sept. 26, 2018, uniting two leading brands to deliver a contemporary, fully integrated digital and creative offering to clients on a global scale.
In its first year, VMLY&R has focused on agency leadership, client partnerships, and business development, and has added new clients to its global portfolio. VMLY&R was also awarded 31 Cannes Lions at the 2019 festival, including two Grand Prix.
“The VMLY&R Foundation is a unique thread that unites the agency’s global network in a charitable, collaborative and fulfilling way,” said John Mulvihill, executive director of the VMLY&R Foundation.
He continues, “VMLY&R’s ongoing commitment to charitable service — which manifests itself in volunteerism, pro bono work and community leadership positions — is present in all VMLY&R offices around the globe.”
This year, VMLY&R employees will donate their time and talents to dozens of nonprofit and community organizations, including:
Atlanta — Piedmont Park Conservatory and Trees Atlanta
Chicago — Special Spaces room renovation for children facing life-threatening diseases, Chicago Canine Rescue, All Stars Project, IMD Guest House, Lakeview Pantry, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Read/Write Library, Working Bikes, Surfrider Foundation and the Chicago Park District
Cincinnati — Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati
Dallas — North Texas Food Bank, Metrocrest Services and National Breast Cancer Foundation
Detroit — Focus Hope, assisting the elderly
Kalamazoo — First Day Shoe Fund and Kalamazoo trail cleanup
Kansas City — Bridging the Gap, Community Linc, Cultivate KC, Habitat for Humanity, Happy Bottoms, Harvesters Food Bank, Heart to Heart International, Loose Park Rose Society, Newhouse Women’s Shelter, Pawsabilities, Union Hill Cemetery, Veteran’s Community Project, Wayside Waifs, Young Women on the Move, and mural projects around the city
Memphis — FedExFamilyHouse at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Miami — Hobie Beach and Bill Baggs Cape Florida beach cleanup
Nashville — Nashville Humane Society and Project C.U.R.E.
New Jersey — Morris County Park Commission’s GardenWorks program
New York — Citymeals on Wheels, Partnerships for Parks in Brooklyn and Surfrider Foundation
Rogers — Assisting a local teaching farm to help kids understand the importance of healthy nutrition, painting classrooms at a local children’s shelter and sorting donations at Potter’s House Thrift
San Francisco — St. Anthony’s Free Clothing Program
Seattle — Lifelong, Farmer Frog and PAWS animal shelter
Washington, D.C. — Capital Area Food Bank
There is also an expansive global effort as well.
Follow VMLY&R’s Foundation Day activities on social media with the hashtag #WeAreVMLYR.
SOURCE: VMLY&R
