Other Philanthropic Initiatives

Beyond our partner organizations and scheduled volunteer events a number of our employees also choose to participate in other worthy causes initiated throughout the year.

Toys for Tots Toy Drive
As in years past, the Denver Campus once again organized a toy drive to help families in need. In 2009 the toy drive benefitted the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots Program.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to provide fundraising and other necessary support for their annual Toys for Tots Program.  Now in its 62nd year, Toys for Tots provides hope and happiness to economically disadvantaged children through the gift of a shiny new toy during the Christmas holiday season.

In 2008, Marines distributed gifts to 7.6 million children in over 650 communities nationwide.  The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation relies on individual donations from the American public and is supported by corporate sponsorships.

Coats for Colorado
For over 25 years, the Denver metro community has come together to collect coats and warm sweaters for those who need them. Coats for Colorado is the state's largest coat drive collecting more than 85,000 coats last year that were donated to people and nonprofit organizations in need. Since the program's inception in 1982, more than 1.5 million coats have been distributed.

For the 10th consecutive year, Colorado employees generously supported the cause to help Coloradoans keep warm this winter, collecting 171 coats in 2009 for a total of over 1,775 since 2000. If you would like to know more about Coats for Colorado, visit them on the web at www.coatsforcolorado.org.

Boston Holiday Gift Drive
For over 25 years, REACH Beyond Domestic Violence has provided services to domestic violence survivors in 27 cities and towns in the Metrowest Boston area. REACH is committed to advancing the safety, healing, and empowerment of those who experience domestic or relationship violence, through direct services and education while promoting social justice for individuals and families of all backgrounds.

Most of the parents who work with REACH depend on the Holiday Gift program to help them provide their children with just a few gifts for the holidays. The Boston Office helped two families have a brighter holiday by posting gift tags in their kitchen for employees to take and purchase the indicated gift. This is the fourth year the Office has participated in the gift drive. Each family received gifts that included: board games, sports team apparel, dolls, Snuggies, DVDs and more.

If you would like more information on REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, please visit their website at:  www.reachma.org.

Women’s Lunch Place
Since 1982, thousands of Boston's poorest women have found refuge and welcome at the Women's Lunch Place. Many of these women sleep outside or in temporary overnight shelters. They are often required to take their belongings with them and to search for their own food and shelter during daytime hours. The Women's Lunch Place is one of the few places where they and other women can find comfort and sustenance during the day.

The OFI Institutional knitters group supported the Women’s Lunch Place this year by providing warm scarves to the organization for distribution to their members in need.

For more information on the Women’s Lunch Place, visit their website at: www.womenslunchplace.org.