Bank of America, Points of Light and Hands On Charlotte to Host Local Service Project
Sixty volunteers from 36 major companies will help at-risk Charlotte residents with workforce readiness
CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 6, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Today, Bank of America, Points of Light Corporate Service Council (CSC) and Hands On Charlotte will host a local service project that will kick-off a two-day Points of Light CSC Meeting. The meeting, hosted by Bank of America, will gather more than 100 corporate social responsibility professionals from over 60 of the world’s largest and most successful companies to highlight local successes and discuss best practices in corporate volunteerism.
Sixty volunteers from 36 major companies around the country such as Bank of America, Deloitte, FedEx, General Electric, Hasbro, IBM, Nielsen, Southwest Airlines, Target, Wells Fargo and others will leverage their professional knowledge and experience during the two-hour service project that will help at-risk Charlotte residents with workforce readiness. Many of the residents receiving services during the event will come from local Charlotte nonprofit agencies including: Hope Haven, Inc., Urban League of Central Carolinas, Charlotte Bridge Home, Mecklenburg County Women's Commission (New Beginnings Program) and Charlotte Area Fund.
“This service event is an opportunity for Points of Light CSC members to work together. Member companies represent more than 3.6 million employee volunteers around the world. But today they are bringing their energy and talent to Charlotte,” said Jenny Lawson, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Points of Light Corporate Institute. “We are thrilled to lend our professional expertise to help local residents get back into the job market and make an impact on the local economy.”
In addition to the service event, A Billion + Change will lead a community conversation and breakfast event earlier in the day hosted by The Ritz-Carlton called, “Leading the Change in Charlotte.” Major companies such as Bank of America, The Ritz-Carlton, Riggs Partners, Deloitte, Blackbaud, Inc., and the Corporation for National and Community Service will highlight their local successes and discuss how they are making a difference in the City of Charlotte and beyond with pro bono and skills-based service. The event will seek to build on the momentum of A Billion + Change movement in its new phase, aiming to inspire 5,000 companies to do pro bono, thereby leveraging $5 billion in pro bono service to communities.
"Volunteerism is a powerful way for companies and employees to be part of the solution to pressing needs in our communities," said Kerry Sullivan, Bank of America Charitable Foundation president and Chair of the 2014 Corporate Service Council. "By coming together to share ideas and ways we can advance meaningful volunteer opportunities for our employees, we can continue to move the dial on national service."
Business as a solution engine for social change continues to be a hot topic among CSR leaders and Points of Light CSC members. This year’s agenda will highlight the great work of CSC members and thought-provoking topics in the field such as how to build a strong community of employee engagement or how to advance strategies for measuring success in the service sector. Points of Light will also award the Daily Point of Light Award to Bill Muckerman, a sales executive from Mooresville, N.C., for his work with Hands On Charlotte and several other local organizations.
Two events during the CSC meeting will be open to the public: A Billion + Change will host “Leading the Change in Charlotte” at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Charlotte, NC on Thursday, February 6, 2014 from 8:30-10:15 a.m. and the CSC will host the Connecting to Charlotte with Hands On Charlotte Service event on Thursday, February 6, 2014 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. For more information on either event, please email Sarah Boison, Marketing Manager for Points of Light Corporate Institute at sboison@pointsoflight.org.
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About the Points of Light Corporate Institute
The Points of Light Corporate Institute is the go-to resource for community-minded companies looking to build and expand effective employee volunteer programs. With our global network of 250 affiliates and a team of experts, we can help you create a high-impact, customized volunteer program, engage your employees, learn best practices, network with other leading companies and gain national visibility for leadership and excellence. Learn more at: http://www.pointsoflight.org/corporate-institute.
