Through the Pandemic and Beyond, the MPIGNY CSR Team is Here to Serve

by MPIGNY CSR Committee

MPIGNY’s Committee for Corporate Social Responsibility is dedicated to creating engagement and meaningful opportunities for our members to collectively convene with the purpose to network while proactively creating change in the local community.

During the 2019/2020 Chapter Year, MPIGNY developed a long-standing commitment to God’s Love We Deliver (GLWD), providing meal-prep assistance in the kitchen on an ongoing monthly basis. Our monthly volunteer sessions provide a much-needed in-person connection with our colleagues while playing a crucial role in the work this organization is doing on a daily and weekly basis. We are proud to continue this commitment into the 2020/2021 Chapter Year.

Furthermore, in the past year we created several new opportunities for our members including Cycle for Survival, GLWD - Race to Deliver (in conjunction with New York Road Runners), volunteering at local food banks, and several initiatives with New York Cares. Worthy of note: our efforts with Race to Deliver garnered donations totaling $1,560 in 2019 and just over $1,000 for the recent 2020 virtual race; and while the 2020 Cycle for Survival event was ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic, our 10-person team raised over $11,000 toward the fight against rare cancers.

COVID-19 prompted a change to not only how we are able to volunteer, but also to the numerous organizations who rely on volunteers and material donations. Despite these challenges, our dedicated committee was up to the task, discovering new opportunities to help out during this difficult time. We held an At-Home Volunteer Project with Give to Get in which we collectively created 200 bracelets with note cards of support that were sent to Metropolitan Hospital in New York City to be distributed to some of our front-line heroes. Additionally, we participated in a fundraiser for Volunteers of America’s annual Operation Backpack® initiative, raising $1,000 toward school supplies for children living in New York City shelters. Lastly, as part of the national 9/11 Day of Service, and sponsored by Volunteer New York! and United for the Troops, MPIGNY volunteers contributed 118 inspirational notes and cards that were included in care packages sent to deployed service members.

Through it all, our dedicated team of volunteers are the lifeblood of the CSR team, without whom we could not realize our numerous initiatives. We asked some of our volunteers to share a few words about their participation in MPIGNY’s CSR efforts:

David Landgraf, Founder and Chief Experience Officer, Make It Happen Management, calls the efforts “IMPACTFUL…[It] provides the opportunity to ‘Give Back’ to the places we live and work... Volunteering has been a great silver lining during the government mandated lockdown…”

Judith Dill says, “Volunteering gives me satisfaction to be able to help people who may not be able to help themselves...I appreciate MPIGNY’s ongoing efforts to continue to grow our presence in NYC by volunteering at GLWD...it is very rewarding and an uplifting experience for all.”

Carri Farrand, A Closer Look Events LLC, commented, “…In this time of COVID, volunteering was the first reason I had to leave my house...It is so important to lend a hand and do everything I can to help. I have really enjoyed this time to connect with like-minded, industry people…I appreciate being a part of an organization that takes their social responsibility seriously.”

Jacqueline M. Seltzer, CTSM, a regular volunteer at GLWD, notes, “…I couldn’t be prouder to be a long-standing member of [MPIGNY]. When they added God’s Love We Deliver to their expanding list of community activities, they selected one of the most deserving charities in the tri-state region...working alongside fellow MPIGNY members is a shared experience which cannot be duplicated…”

Fiona Macpherson, VP Business Development, etc.venues, started volunteering as a way to meet fellow members. “Being new to NYC and the Chapter, this was the perfect way to meet people within MPI who also shared the same interests in giving back to the community...I would highly recommend it to anyone new in the chapter…It’s the perfect way to ease into the MPIGNY life!”

We are grateful to everyone who has given of their time and resources to help our fellow New Yorkers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jennifer Rondinelli, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility.