Last week, Keenan employees throughout California joined forces for the 2018 Impact Day, participating in community service projects to make a difference in the lives of others. We’ve held this annual outreach event since 2012, which has become a highlight of the year for our almost 750 associates. Impact Day has also provided a springboard for many of our team members to become involved with volunteering on their own during the year.
In Southern California, associates from our Torrance, Riverside and San Clemente offices gathered in Lakewood to conduct their projects supporting the Volunteer Center of South Bay-Harbor Long Beach, the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Bay and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Inland Empire.
Our Northern California contingent from the Oakland, San Jose, Redwood City, Eureka, Rancho Cordova and Pleasanton offices met in San Ramon to work on projects for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sacramento and the Silicon Valley.
Here’s a little more about the organizations we worked with this year, and what we worked on. You can learn even more about how these nonprofits serves the community be clicking on the links:
The Volunteer Center is a community organization that promotes volunteerism, supports nonprofit organizations, and engages people in meaningful volunteer service in the local communities. One of their signature programs is Operation Teddy Bear, a literacy program that provides schoolbags filled with books, educational supplies and wellness tools to the area’s most underserved first-graders. Keenan Impact projects included assembling STEM-activity packs and attaching comforting notecards to small teddy bears, all to be placed in special Operation Teddy Bear backpacks.
The Boys & Girls Clubs provide after school programs for young people in their communities. They integrate character and leadership building components into their various programs to empower youth to positively influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, and cultivate leadership skills.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters helps children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors.
Some of the projects we put together for these organizations included the assembly of coloring pages and self-esteem magnets, which together with writing journals and several other mindfulness-related items, were placed inside of drawstring bags the children will receive.
Impact Day 2018 was another great opportunity for our people to enjoy reconnecting with their colleagues across the state, build team spirit, while using their hands and hearts to help change lives. We appreciate our associates’ commitment toward making a positive impact!
About Dan Keenan
Dan Keenan, Senior Vice President, leads Keenan’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. He also works closely with public agencies and Keenan benefit consultants to design and implement retirement programs.