The season of giving has not been lost on many tradeshow companies. Many exhibit designers, builders and general contractors continue to donate their time and money to organizations and individuals in need.
Employees of Reveal Exhibits, an event marketing products and services company for tradeshows, events and permanent installations, joined forces to make a large contribution to Samaritan’s Purse, the charitable organization that provides spiritual and physical aid to millions of suffering people around the world.
Rather than purchase ‘secret Santa’ gifts for each other, the company decided to put their efforts toward donating to Operation Christmas Child, an effort of Samaritan’s Purse to reach children around the world who are not fortunate enough to receive gifts during the holiday season.
“Last year we asked employees to select a charity of their own choosing and make the donation rather than purchase gifts, said Jim Obermeyer, partner at Reveal. “As a company, the average donation per employee was a remarkable $82.00. This year we decided to select a single charity and support it as a group.”
Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped those who have become victims of war, poverty, natural disaster, disease and famine. Operation Christmas Child supporters pack a simple shoe box with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items and candy for children to enjoy.
“We were impressed by the number of employees that chose to take part in this program, and by their enthusiasm for the project”, said Lyndee Downs, Reveal controller and organizer of the effort.
Employees of ProExhibits, a custom event and tradeshow solutions provider, volunteered for Sacred Heart Community Service (SHCS).
For five years, the Sunnyvale and Milpitas-based employees of ProExhibits have donated their time to SHCS, which aids those in need in the Silicon Valley.
ProExhibits’ employees, along with its President, Dick Wheeler, volunteered their time to help make the holidays better for those who are struggling to make ends meet by helping to bag food, organize clothing and build bikes and scooters.
“I’m so very proud of our employees for their generous and heartfelt enthusiasm to this mission of helping others,” said Wheeler. “We are so fortunate to have the ability to give back to our local community.”
Global Experience Specialists (GES), a provider of exhibition, event and retail marketing services, also donated time to a philanthropic program to benefit a Chicago-area Ronald McDonald House. GES employees decorated one of the homes, bringing to life the holiday spirit for families and children going through tough times and in need of a home away from home. A video of the effort is featured on GES’ homepage. Each time the video is viewed, the company will make an additional donation toward gifts for the residents.
Lana Calloway, president of Exhibit Resources, a full-service exhibit design agency, recently announced the agency made a holiday donation on behalf of its clients to the Women’s Center of Wake County. The donation was made in lieu of sending gift and food baskets to clients and vendors, an agency tradition in years past.
“We recognize the holiday season is an especially important time to give to nonprofits that support our community,” said Calloway. “The Women’s Center of Wake County works hard to provide the resources women in our community need, and Exhibit Resources is proud to support their efforts.”
Exhibit Resources seeks to start a new tradition of giving that helps the community. The Women’s Center of Wake County responds to the changing needs of women, especially those with children, who struggle with homelessness by addressing their basic needs, as well as security, mental health and childcare.
Staff members of ConventionPlanit.com, a website that searches to identify suitable destinations, facilities, and service providers, also made a contribution to the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
NIH is a private, nonprofit, family-centered residence established to keep children together with their families while the children participate in ground-breaking medical research for serious illnesses.
The Children’s Inn at NIH is the Potomac Meeting Professionals International (PMPI) 2010 Charity of the Year.
“Everyone who is in good health has much to be thankful for during this holiday season,” said Katherine Markham, CHME, ConventionPlanit.com co-founder and principal. “We all decided that giving to this worthy cause was the right thing to do this year to help these children and their families. We pray that their treatments will succeed and that they recover.”
Since opening in June of 1990, The Inn has hosted more than 10,000 families from all 50 states and 74 countries. The Inn has the capacity to house up to 74 families per night. In fiscal year 2008, 1,400 children and their families called The Inn home. There is no charge for a family to stay at The Inn.
These young patients range in age from birth to young adulthood. They face medical challenges such as cancer, heart, lung, growth and blood diseases and mental disorders that lack successful treatment and are only researched and treated at NIH.
Hargrove, a general services contractor in the tradeshow, events and exhibits industry, brought holiday cheer to families in the Washington, D.C. area for the 56th year.
Hargrove decorated the National Christmas Tree, an annual project involving a celebration and tree lighting ceremony, which traditionally includes the president of the United States. The celebration and tree lighting, which is presented by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation, took place on December 9. The show can be seen by visiting www.thenationaltree.org.
“Producing the project is an annual honor for Hargrove and an opportunity to partner with not only the National Park Service, but all of the committed sponsors,” said Tim McGill, CEO of Hargrove. “The celebration continues to grow in popularity for children of all ages, and we’re proud to participate.”
Hargrove has managed the project since its inception in 1954 during the Eisenhower Administration.
The live tree, planted in 1978, is located on the Ellipse in President’s Park and the lighting is provided by General Electric. Over the years, the scope of the project has grown and today Hargrove also produces the Pathway of Peace which includes a nativity scene and Santa’s Workshop. Hargrove designed and built the interior of the Workshop where children of all ages can visit Santa inside an area which offers children a glimpse of the magical elves at work. Hargrove decorates the 56 state and territory trees with 1,400 ornaments and signage. The ornaments are sent to Hargrove during the course of the year from state organizations. Hargrove fabricates décor for the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony which in recent years has grown in popularity to include a live television broadcast with prominent entertainers.
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