ShareDDB Raises $52,000 For Local Charities Across Canada
Agency art crawl & silent auction fueled by employee creativity and philanthropy
TORONTO, EDMONTON and VANCOUVER, Dec. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - Employee creativity and passion for humanity prevailed with 2013 ShareDDB events in Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver raising over $52,000 for local charities. Celebrating its eighth anniversary, DDB Canada's annual employee-led art crawl and silent auction saw almost 300 creative items and services sold with proceeds supporting four deserving charities.
"Everyone who works at DDB Canada has a creative talent, but it's also in our collective DNA to give back," says David Leonard, national president and COO, DDB Canada. "I'm amazed by the amount of time and imagination that goes into each auction item and by the generosity of our staff, who rally their friends, families, clients and suppliers to donate items, expertise and time, which makes this fundraiser an incredible success year after year."
Each year, the fundraiser features a range of unique auction items and services, conceptualized, personalized and realized by agency employees as well as its partners and vendors, and this year did not disappoint. Some of the more coveted items this year at ShareDDB included: one of the original 100, genuine Toronto Lovebots by artist Matthew Del Degan, an oil painting of Seinfeld character George Costanza, a cigar box guitar with amp, a ride-along experience with a member of the Vancouver Police Department, and one brave employee who offered to tattoo the highest bidder's name onto any part of his body.
Born eight years ago at DDB Canada's Vancouver office, ShareDDB became a national endeavour in 2011 with both the Edmonton and Toronto offices participating. To date, ShareDDB has raised over $172,000 for local charities across Canada. Last month, ShareDDB also made its first stateside appearance with DDB New York hosting its first event.
This year, proceeds from ShareDDB in Canada will benefit four charities as chosen by DDB Canada staff. These charities are: the James Lee Foundation, a scholarship fund created in memory of a very special DDB family member who continues to inspire countless people in the advertising industry; Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, which provides a home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital; Music Heals, a group of music enthusiasts and music lovers who have come together to help raise awareness of the healing powers of music; and The Hope Mission, a non-profit organization that cares for those who are impoverished and homeless in Edmonton and surrounding areas.
To offset costs of the evening and maximize funds raised, DDB Canada connects with its clients and preferred vendors to sponsor each event via goods in kind or to donate an item for auction. Generous sponsors and vendors have provided venue space, photography services, catering, beverages, custom cupcakes, music and décor to help make ShareDDB the success it is today.
"We are truly blessed by the response ShareDDB has received over the years by our employees, clients and valued vendors," added Leonard. "ShareDDB will continue to be an essential component of our agency's heritage, our client and vendor relationships, and our employees' rewarding growth."
DDB Canada would like to thank the following generous sponsors and corporate donors, whose support and contributions helped create three truly remarkable charitable events:
Toronto: 10tation Event Catering, Beaches International Jazz Festival, Belvedere Vodka, Jay Mandarino/JBM Event Auction Services, Keystone Studios, Oast House Brewery, Paul Krol Photography.
Edmonton: CBC Television, Champion Petfoods, Cineplex Media, The Artworkd, Good Luck Sock and Julie's Skin Spa.
Vancouver: &sweets, Alberta Milk, AngusOne, BC Charity & Fundraising Auctions, BC Dairy, Brand Alliance, Brix Vancouver, Cineplex, City Centre Massage Therapy, Corporate Traveller, CTV, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba, Epic Imaging, George Ultra Lounge, Global TV, Hemlock Printers, Jeweliette, Lamar, Lunatriks, Newad, Oasis Flowers, OPUS Vancouver, Parallel 49, Pedersens Event Rental, Project 22 Design, Sask Milk, Shaw Media, Tantalus Productions, The Balloon Shop, The Globe & Mail, The Lazy Gourmet, Thyme to Indulge, Vancouver Police Foundation, We Love Van, Whitecaps FC, Wosks and Zipcar.
To view photos from the Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton ShareDDB events, visit:
About DDB Canada
DDB Canada is the most creatively acclaimed, internationally recognized marketing communications agency in Canada. Known for advertising that generates significant results for clients, DDB Canada is a "total communications company" whose fundamental belief is that creativity is the most powerful force in business. DDB Canada has offices in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal. The agency's integrated groups include: DDB Kid Think (youth marketing), DDB Public Relations, Tribal Worldwide (digital, social and mobile), Karacters Design Group, RAPP Canada (direct), DDB Hodes Recruitment Communications (recruitment marketing) and Shopper DDB (shopper marketing).
SOURCE: DDB Canada
Paige Calvert
Director of Corporate Communications
[email protected]
604.608.4421
Share this article