At Brogan & Partners, we give our all to our clients. And we give 5% back to our communities. Because our personal and professional passions are making a positive difference in people’s lives, we give back a portion of our profits every year through pro bono work, volunteer days, corporate donations and more. And as an employee who has been part of that for almost eight years, I can say with certainty that it’s one of our best benefits.
While working here, I’ve had the opportunity to take paid volunteer days at places like the American Lung Association, Forgotten Harvest, COTS Detroit and Michigan DECA. I’ve worked on pro bono projects like Enough SAID and Michigan AMBER Alert. I’ve raised funds for Game On Cancer – a cause our company supported through annual wine tasting and silent auction events. I’ve randomly selected winners of our Giving Tuesday Giveaway, in which 10 causes receive a $250 donation. (Stay tuned to our Facebook page to participate!) And new this year, I’ve had the opportunity to pay it forward even further, as our CEO gave us all eight $25 VISA gift cards and encouraged us to make the world a more magical place.
… what a rare and remarkable experience, right?
Here’s how Brogan & Partners is paying it forward in 2021.
In mid-September, our own Ellyn Davidson gave gift cards to every Brogan & Partners employee – inviting all of us to use them for good. And while she made it clear she’d never ask exactly what we did with them… I wanted to marvel over the ways my coworkers were contributing to their communities. So, I asked. They answered.
Here are just some of the ways we’re making a difference with our company-provided gift cards. They have been…
- Donated to a school, with a note to the principal thanking her and her team for their dedication and perseverance (She ended up purchasing pizzas for the entire staff to take home for dinner!)
- Used to buy 50 pounds of dog food, which was donated to a local animal shelter
- Given to a family friend who was recently diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer – a woman who has two children and has been unable to work due to her chemotherapy treatments
- Donated to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where they will be used to help patient families celebrate safely
- Used to sponsor a young student in his school’s annual walk-a-thon, which raises money for new playground equipment
- Donated to a friend who helps an elderly man in Detroit, so she could buy him a winter coat
- Used to purchase pajamas for a child in need, as part of an adopt-a-family program
- Left on the counter at a Starbucks store, with a note encouraging the next customer to pay it forward
- Given to a homeless person in the Pontiac area
- Used to buy drinks for those dining at a nearby table (how’s that for holiday cheer?)
- Taped to the front door, as a surprise for the mail carrier
- Used to buy kids’ toys for a children’s hospital
- Handed out to customers at a local dollar and thrift stores
- Given to the guys who keep our neighborhoods clean and safe – the garbage men
In addition to individual acts of kindness, we’re also assembling small groups to stand outside grocery stores and share gift cards that will help people pay for their holiday meals.
How are you sparking joy and spreading love? Tell us in the comments below, because you might inspire us even more. Happy holidays!
