NATIVE VML closed its doors yesterday along with 25 VML offices around the globe for worldwide Foundation Day. Each year, the agency designates one full business day for company-wide community service as more than 2200 VML employees leave the office and roll up their sleeves to make the greatest positive impact possible in their communities over a 24-hour period.
VML’s community outreach is led by the VML Foundation, a non-profit organisation that is employee- and agency-funded. Since 2005, the VML Foundation has granted more than R17 million in cumulative unrestricted grants in the communities where VML operates. Over the years the VML Foundation has supported hundreds of charitable organizations and worthy causes.
“VML’s commitment to giving back is something every VMLer takes pride in,” said Jon Cook, Global CEO of VML. “Foundation Day is a tradition that started in Kansas City more than a decade ago and has now grown to include each of our offices worldwide. It’s a great tradition to be able to give back to the communities we operate in and to do so in a meaningful way with charitable organizations and worthy causes that VMLers are passionate about.”
Nearly 70 percent of VMLers globally participate financially in the VML Foundation through payroll deduction. In 2015, VML will support more than 80 local non-profits through volunteerism, matching gift donations and unrestricted financial grants. Additionally, over the past 12 months VML donated more than 13,000 hours of pro bono services to charitable partners; a contribution valued at more than R19 million in donated services.
Locally, NATIVE VML employees in Johannesburg and Cape Town partnered with 10 organisations. Beneficiaries included the Dimphonyane Children’s Home where the volunteers did renovations to their buildings and planted seedlings. Kidz2Kidz in Cape Town received a donation of children’s books and NATIVE VML employees facilitated workshops around anti-bullying. Other organisations that benefited from Foundation Day activities were:
• Free Me wildlife rehabilitation centre – Johannesburg
• Streetlight Schools – Johannesburg
• Shumbashaba – Johannesburg
• Door of Hope – Johannesburg
• FoodBank – Cape Town
• Domestic Animal Rescue Group (DARG) – Cape Town
• Cancer Dojo – Cape Town
“We are proud to be part of the global VML Foundation Day and to make a positive impact in our local communities. This initiative resonates deeply with NATIVE VML’s mantra of ‘creating purpose driven work that lives in people’s lives’, adds Jason Xenopoulos, NATIVE VML CEO.