On the heels of the most consumer-driven days of the year, Concert employees took the opportunity to not only practice gratitude for all we have, but to contribute to those in our community who are in need by participating in GivingTuesday.
A time when charities, companies and individuals join together and rally for favourite causes, GivingTuesday is a global movement for giving and volunteering that takes place each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
This year, on November 27, 2018, Concert employees came together to support Backpack Buddies, a Metro Vancouver organization that provides low-income students with a backpack full of meals and snacks to take home for the weekend.
“Most people don’t realize that three in ten BC children don’t have enough food,” says Lisa Ma, Concert’s Payroll & Benefits Coordinator, who, together with Kate Reifenberg, Administrative Assistant, organized a cookie swap fundraiser that invited all of Concert’s Metro Vancouver-based employees to contribute baked goods, participate in the swap or donate directly to the cause.
“As my children have become school-aged, and I’m constantly planning their schedules and meals, I began to think about the difficulty faced by families who struggle to put enough food on the table.”
Two dozen people baked cookies and staffed the sale throughout the day, ultimately raising $1,315 toward the worthy cause. With Concert matching 100% of those proceeds, a grand total of $2,630 was presented to Backpack Buddies!
“What better opportunity is there to demonstrate our company’s core values than to participate in GivingTuesday?” says Brian McCauley, Concert President & Chief Executive Officer. “Supporting staff-led, community-focused initiatives is an important part of the culture at Concert and we are proud to contribute to Backpack Buddies, an organization that helps so many local children in need.”