PlattForm: The Company That Cares
About six years ago, a few of my co-workers and I got together to devise a way for our ad agency to be more philanthropic in the community. Six years later our group “Team Phil” (uh, short for philanthropic) does more charitable work as an ad agency than a lot of the other local agencies combined.
PForm had always done a few charitable events here and there, but with 300+ employees under our belt, Team Phil decided we could step it up a couple notches. Go big or go home, right? Our initial goal was to help at least one local charity a month. Now we’re up to two, three, sometimes four charities each month.
PlattForm doles out one free paid day off to each employee to volunteer at the charity of his/her choice. Of course, I chose to work at our annual Day of Caring at SAVE, Inc. this afternoon. Not only is it one of PForm’s charities of choice, it doubles as my charity of choice too.
SAVE does housing options for men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. It’s a unique charity that’s been around since 1986. SAVE began at the height of the ‘80’s AIDS epidemic. It started as a hospice and has evolved in to a place that helps find affordable housing for nearly 700 individuals and families. SAVE is a small charity that does an amazing amount of work throughout Kansas City and it fills me with pride to see my company throw its arms around it. We’ve grown right along with it.
Today started off with torrential rains – which didn’t bode well for a wildly productive day of working outside. But, mercifully, the rains subsided around 11am and the sun came out right as our team showed up. SAVE looks forward to our visit every year. Why wouldn’t they? Hello? Free labor. They BBQ for us, make us feel at home and then turn us loose working on their properties. It’s amazing how much landscaping 25 people can get done in a short amount of time. And by amazing, I mean, jaw-dropping. The residents of SAVE even came out to help us in our efforts. If you get a chance, stop by and take a tour – or visit www.saveinckc.org. You’ll be duly impressed at how such a small charity can make such a big impact.
Now, I’m not one for manual labor. I have an aversion to perspiration. But for one day I’m Mr. Weed Whacker. I’m also Mr. Mulcher … Mr. Hedge Trimmer … And Mr. Ivy Eradicator. On a side note – several of my co-workers called me “Sweaty Betty” today since I was dripping for the duration of the event. Ugh.
PlattForm is a company that values the philanthropic efforts that we do. They understand the importance of giving back to the community – and not a lot of businesses can say that. They appreciate that we work with smaller charities – which are the ones that most need our help. And that is why I work there … well, that I and I dig my job. Helping give back speaks volumes for our character … and for our employees.
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