BrownFlynn Communications
Barbara Brown and Margie Flynn, principals and co-owners of BrownFlynn Communications, believe in the necessity of community involvement and have built this concept into their employees’ job performance appraisals. Among their largest projects is the BrownFlynn Book Club, conceived and developed with the Cleveland Initiative for Education.
BrownFlynn employees have contributed more than 1,500 hours of service to this project, organizing local businesses and securing contributions to donate new, curriculum-approved books to the district’s most needy schools. Endorsed by Barbara Byrd-Bennett, the school district’s CEO, the BrownFlynn Book Club continues to expand districtwide and advance the district’s literacy efforts.
EMH Regional Healthcare System
EMH focuses on patient care, but its employees’ dedication extends beyond the workplace. The nonprofit health care organization supports an employee-led Community Outreach Committee, which organizes community service activities.
One of EMH’s most successful initiatives is the “Warm Hands Warm Hearts” project. EMH staff and 120 community volunteers — including senior citizens and students from North Ridgeville High School and Troy Intermediate School — knit hats and mittens for children who visit EMH’s two emergency rooms during the fall and winter. Since the program began three years ago, they have knitted and donated 2,400 hats and mittens to children in need.
Home Team Marketing
Home Team Marketing’s foundation is built on community service, and that’s not just a marketing catchphrase. Launched in April 2001, this Cleveland Heights sports marketing firm has created partnerships with more than 250 Ohio high schools to work on their behalf to sell their stadium and arena signage, print space in game programs, ticket-back exposure and more.
By the end of the 2003-2004 school year, HTM will have delivered nearly $500,000 to Ohio high schools, with approximately $80,000 going to the Cleveland Municipal School District. The company also has established scholarships within the Cleveland, Akron, Cincinnati and Dayton public school systems.
Moen Inc.
As a company grows, so should its corporate giving. This philosophy has encouraged Moen Inc. to share its knowledge of plumbing fixtures and become involved with Habitat for Humanity and the Cleveland Housing Network.
Nationally, Moen donates housing products to City of Hope in Los Angeles and Store House of Chicago, where low-income families can purchase top-of-the-line products at reduced rates.
Moen also sponsors a Habitat for Humanity outing, in which the company pays its employees regular wages and offers them the opportunity to volunteer. It plans to sponsor and build at least one Habitat home annually.
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A.
Giving back to the community is essential to Weltman, Weinberg & Reis’ corporate culture, and this year, its employees raised a company record of $17,712 to support the March of Dimes’ WalkAmerica 2003.
They raised funds with walk sponsor dollars, bake sales, money jugs, raffles and weekly “Blue jeans for babies days,” when they made donations for the privilege of wearing casual clothes to work.
During National Credit Education Week in April, WWR attorneys spoke about personal finance issues at local schools and organizations. The firm also sponsored a scholarship contest in which high school students wrote essays on the importance of credit education.
