RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC: 10 February 2021 – In 2020, IMPACT’s (now Syner-G BioPharma Group’s) employees continued their generous efforts via the Making an IMPACT (MAI) community service initiative. The past year provided us opportunities to connect with various charities virtually, support various disaster and pandemic relief efforts, and encourage our community with cards and random acts of kindness.
Australia Bushfire Relief Fundraisers
In January, MAI supported fundraisers for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park to highlight these great causes that protected and provided for the people and animals displaced and injured by the Australian bushfires.
Together, we raised over $1,450 AUD! Thank you to everyone who donated to these charitable organizations!
Valentine’s Day
In February, to celebrate Valentine’s Day and to spread some love through the office, the MAI team put together goodie bags for everyone in the office.
In addition to candies and a handwritten note, each employee was surprised with a glass etched with funny writing-related sayings. One of the favorites was: “Let’s eat kids. Let’s eat, kids. Use a comma. Save lives!”.
Case for Smiles Community Lunch
Also in February, MAI held a community lunch, where team members contributed time to sew pillowcases for Case for Smiles, an organization focused on bringing joy and bright pillowcases to children in the hospital who are fighting cancer.
During our lunch we were able to successfully complete 8 pillowcases for delivery to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill. We were thrilled to spend time together and to help brighten the days of children in our community experiencing such a difficult circumstance.
McDougald Terrace Donation Drive
In March, MAI hosted a drive to collect supplies for displaced residents of McDougald Terrace Apartments. Many of the residents had been displaced since Dec 2019 and living in area hotels since Jan 3rd, when they were evacuated from their homes after inspections found that faulty appliances were causing elevated carbon monoxide levels in several apartments. With the help of IMPACT staff, we collected essential items such as non-perishable foods, clothing, baby diapers and formula, and school supplies for the residents.
Virtual Food Drive
Starting in April, MAI launched a virtual food drive through the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina to support folks in our area facing food insecurity.
IMPACT employees contributed a generous $5,235, allowing the Food Bank to provide 26,175 meals to our neighbors in need!
IMPACT Initiative BINGO
Also starting in April, MAI encouraged employees to participate virtually in an IMPACT initiative BINGO. We contributed to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic through opportunities available through Activate Good, by donating blood to The American Red Cross, and by making fabric masks. We also partnered with IMPACTConnect, IMPACT on Health, and IMPACT on Literacy to provide social, health, and reading goals for employees during our first few months working from home.
The first eight employees to cross off five initiative efforts in a row were awarded Amazon gift cards. Thank you to everyone who showed their community extra care through this fun game!
Activate Good Lunch Presentation
In May, MAI held a virtual lunch and presentation from the founder of Activate Good, a nonprofit with a mission of getting GOOD done in the Triangle by mobilizing volunteers to improve the community. Through the inspirational presentation, we learned the history behind Activate Good as well as how to become better connected to volunteer opportunities, virtually or in person. MAI continues to share with IMPACT employees ongoing volunteer opportunities available through Activate Good, and many folks have taken the opportunity to help out!
Cards for Taylon
In May, MAI wrote “Get Well” cards for Taylon, a friend of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, to make his day a little brighter during his extended hospital stay.
StepUp Durham Donations
In June, MAI led a donation drive for work outfits to benefit StepUp Durham employment program participants as they gear up for interviews with hopes of re-entering the work force soon.
Together we were able to collect interview outfits for 25 individuals! Thank you to everyone who helped the StepUp Durham participants put their best foot forward!
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Great Strides
In June, MAI partnered with Impact on Health and participated in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s (CFF’s) national Great Strides event. IMPACTees walked to raise awareness and to support the Foundation’s mission to find a cure for cystic fibrosis. Great Strides 2020 was significant for many reasons – this was the first year the event was held virtually, and the event date (June 5 [6/5]) was 65 Roses Day, a day which has special significance to the CFF and people living with cystic fibrosis, as “65 roses” is a term often used by young children with cystic fibrosis to pronounce the name of their disease.
Fall Resources
In October, MAI shared resources to educate employees about voting in and volunteering for the election, participating in local COVID-19 clinical trials, and supporting food and nutrition services through Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and Wake County Public Schools.
StepUp Durham Fundraising
Also in October, MAI donated $1.5K to StepUp Durham‘s One by One fundraising campaign for their program offering free employment readiness training, personalized job coaching, employer referrals, and supportive services to job seekers in Durham. Our donation was matched by Vecino Brewing Co., which allowed us to support twice as many job seekers!
IMPACT’s 5th Annual Season of Giving
In November and December, MAI spearheaded our 5th Annual MAI Season of Giving, including a virtual fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, writing holiday greeting cards, and adopting Salvation Army Angel Tree Angels!
Supporting IMPACT on Health’s Virtual Mission
MAI partnered with IMPACT on Health by donating $2020 to their virtual walk to Quebec City, Canada to benefit the good work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Salvation Army Angel Tree
IMPACT employees adopted 4 “angels” (ranging in age from 11 months to 11 years) from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Employees had the option to donate gifts, contribute money for gift purchase, and/or volunteer their time to shop or pick up/drop off gifts. Thanks to the generosity of our IMPACT family, we delivered a carload of thoughtful and exciting Christmas gifts for these special Angels!
Holiday Greeting Cards
In previous years, IMPACT employees have gathered in person to sign greeting cards, collect homemade baked goodies, and hand-deliver the offerings to the residents of Chatham Commons Assisted Living facility. Due to this year’s COVID-19 pandemic, we had to adjust accordingly. We held a virtual card signing event, store-bought goodies replaced homemade, and the items were dropped off at the facility door. The residents and staff were thrilled with the signed cards, ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!’ printed stories, large-print puzzle books, treats, and a fun Rudolph balloon. We hope the cards/goodies brought some well-deserved holiday cheer to these special folks, given the especially challenging year they experienced.
As part of the MAI initiative, IMPACT employees come together as a team for larger community projects several times a year. Projects are chosen based on charities or efforts that have strong connections to IMPACT employees and their families. In addition, IMPACT supports and promotes their employees’ efforts to give back to their community by providing them 4 hours of paid time off per month to pursue volunteer work.
Would you like to be a part of IMPACT’s community endeavors? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you here , or via Twitter (@ImpactPharma) or on LinkedIn . You can also keep up with our Making an IMPACT events via our quarterly newsletters!
| Media Contact:
Mark A. Cierpial, PhD, Chief Executive Officer |
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