Volunteer Project hits the Perfect Note
Ece Akturk had an idea that was well outside of her role in Technical Support at Unica Corporation, a leading global provider of enterprise marketing management (EMM) software. As part of Unica’s Community Action Committee, Ece wanted to help kids in need while creating the most personal engagement experience possible for her co-workers. Her concept: a charity CD featuring mostly original music performed by Ece and her colleagues in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.
“It’s been incredibly uplifting to get so much enthusiasm from everyone, from the business community, from peers, and our executive team. I’m so happy that we were able to take this from just ‘a little light bulb in my head’ to what I hope will be an incredibly successful and rewarding annual project,” Ece said. “The reward is so beyond any monetary investment I possibly could have made, and I think that’s the most important message here: everyone can help kids.”
In additional to selling the CD, Ece organized a wine tasting event that brought awareness to the project and helped raise additional money through wine sales. The project raised more than $2,100 through the sale of 136 CDs, the wine tasting event, and cash donations.
“It truly has been a privilege to be able to help, even if just in a small way, further Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s mission and help struggling kids find a safe place to realize their potential,” she said. “The statistic that really inspired and touched me was that 52% of alumni of your programs say that being a member, not changed, but SAVED their lives!”
Ece and her colleagues were so inspired by the CD project that they are evaluating more ways to help, such as the possibility of hosting a technology career day.
To learn more about volunteering at Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, visit our web site at www.bgcb.org, and click on the “Volunteer at a Club!” link on the home page.