Baltimore, MD, September 21, 2009 – On Friday, September 25, more than 100 employees in Ernst & Young’s Baltimore office and approximately 1,200 employees in the organization’s Mid-Atlantic region will report to community volunteer activities rather than the office. Through Ernst & Young’s third annual Cares Day, employees team together using their workplace skills to give back to, and create a positive impact on, their local communities. Over the past three years, Ernst & Young has donated over 32,000 volunteer hours as a result of Cares Day.
“During these challenging times, it is more important than ever to give back to our communities,” said Ernst & Young Baltimore Managing Partner Mark Bartlett. “Volunteerism means a lot to the people of Ernst & Young because it strengthens and enhances our communities. We are proud that across Baltimore we will log approximately 1,200 volunteer hours on Friday, but what’s most inspiring is the enthusiasm of our employees who actively participate in Cares Day and make a difference in the lives of others.”
Employees across the Mid-Atlantic were asked to register for one of 30 community projects offered with causes mostly centered on Ernst & Young’s corporate responsibility focus areas - education, entrepreneurship and the environment. Seven of the project sites are in the Baltimore region (descriptions are attached in an editor’s note).
“Our people share a sense of purpose that starts with the work we do for our clients and extends into the communities in which we live,” said Chris Caffrey, Assurance Partner and Mid-Atlantic Community Engagement Champion with Ernst & Young. “Problem solving and knowledge sharing fit with who we are and where we provide value, so we shaped the activities of the day to match our strengths. Since 600 people across the Mid-Atlantic signed up on the first day of registration, we are confident that Cares Day will engage the passion and creativity of our people.”
Reducing their impact on the environment and increasing access to education for underprivileged and minority children are strategic priorities for Ernst & Young. That’s why this year’s featured project will take place at Great Kids Farm in Catonsville. Great Kids Farm is owned by Baltimore City schools and gives schoolchildren the opportunity to learn about healthy eating and sustainable living by growing their own plants. Comprised of 33 acres in neighboring Baltimore County, the farm is used as a living, growing classroom for public school students. Produce is sold to local restaurants and plants are used to start gardens at city schools. The 28 Ernst & Young volunteers will participate in outside work such as building and constructing stations to wash produce, micro green planting and field and farm work.
The seven projects offered in the Baltimore region were identified, developed and will be managed by Ernst & Young employee volunteers, in partnership with Business Volunteers Unlimited.
“Ernst & Young puts great value on employee volunteerism” said Nan Bambara, Director of Business Relations at Business Volunteers Unlimited. “BVU makes the strategic link to those organizations in the community with the most need which makes our partnership a great success. The return on investment for all involved is exponential as there’s nothing like direct community service to boost employee morale – it’s a win-win.”
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 135,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential. Ernst & Young’s Mid-Atlantic region is comprised of five offices located in Washington, DC; McLean, Virginia; Richmond, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.ey.com.
BVU works with 60 local companies on the development of strategic corporate community involvement programs, training and matching their executives and managers on nonprofit boards of directors, and creating company-wide employee volunteer projects.
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