At Team One, we know the holidays are not as much about opening gifts as they are about opening our hearts. Team One’s annual Day of Good has become a cherished tradition that we look forward to each holiday season. This year was bigger and better than ever! With the addition of our fields teams, we were able to add hours of volunteer time as well as a brand new charity; Project Angel Food.  Our volunteers and team leaders alike were so inspired by the day that a few have committed to additional volunteering with the charities throughout the year.  Here are few words about the experience:

Click here for a full gallery from our Team One Day of Good 2012!

“Rainbow Services is so grateful to Team One Advertising for all of the wonderful gifts you collected for the families fleeing violence at home that come to us for service.  You will never know whose lives you touched and they will never know your names, but they will always remember that good people cared.”

- Director of Volunteers & Education, Rainbow Services, Ltd.

“What an absolute delight to meet all the adorable little ones at The Children’s Institute in Torrance, CA! Team One joined hands with Free Arts for Abused Children and provided a colorful, fantastic array of arts and crafts — holiday ornaments, wood picture frames, festive hats, airplanes, and all things glitter — just to name a few.  Without knowing the children’s full backgrounds or family situations, it was the best opportunity to leave a positive, lasting impression through life’s simplest joys: laughter, playing, and creating art.  We will never forget their sparkling, clear eyes — truly a blessing this holiday season.”

-  Sharon Rho, Free Arts for Abused Children Team Leader

“Even though I was not able to take home every dog I laid eyes on at the Amanda Foundation, it was nice to be able to give back to the community. From dog walking to kennel cleaning, we all had hands-on experience and got to individually spend time with the furry animals. It is great that Team One allows their employees to take time out of the work week to give back to organizations that are near and dear to their hearts.”

- Erica Ramirez, The Amanda Foundation Volunteer

“Team One and the Felton School in Lennox, California have had a longstanding relationship. Upon starting at team one two and half years ago, I had never heard of the Felton School and its needs. My previous supervisor at Team One introduced me to this “charity” and I have been involved ever since. This is my second year heading the Felton School charity for our Day of Good and the giving never gets old. Like in years past, we shopped for six families (32 people in total), wrapped gifts, and delivered the gifts, a turkey dinner and Christmas trees. This year was especially rewarding in that our field offices got to participate in the delivery process. Upon returning to Team One after a delivery, they took their own time and offered their own money to purchase a table and chairs for the family that had no furniture. Taking the initiative to make sure the family was able to eat dinner around a table this holiday season showed what can happen after people are made aware, are determined to help, and why Team One is full of the best people around!”

Justine Kleeman, Felton School Team Leader

“Our Day of Good visit to the Friends of Animals Foundation was exceptional.

After some general information, paperwork, and meeting the FoA Team of Volunteers, we set out and began walking dogs around the neighborhood.

All of the animals we spent time with are seeking permanent homes and so in addition to making sure they got exercise and were able to enjoy time outside, we were also asked to help maintain the impressive training routine they receive as part of their time at the Foundation.

Between walking sessions, we heard how lives full of sadness replaced by those of hope, thanks to this incredible Foundation and it’s amazing support network of resources.

It was inspiring to know that an organization like Friends of Animals exists thanks to the help of Volunteers and Community support.

Our T1 Team of Volunteers did an amazing job and the FoA Team expressed overwhelming gratitude that we took time out of a very busy Holiday Season to improve the lives of their Animals.”

- Kit Hennessey, Friends of Animals Team Leader

“Project Angel Food’s mission is to nourish the body and spirit of men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses. Team One members donated their time and the agency donated money to Angel Food’s cause. We helped to prepare 1100 meals that day. It was a rewarding experience for all of us knowing that we made a positive impact in the daily life of so many people in the community.”

- Michael Nnadi, Project Angel Food Team Leader

“Team One is committed to making a difference in the local community and has found a way to help thousands of people in the area by volunteering at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank every year. From sorting food to repackaging personal care supplies, the team of over 75 people who spent hours lifting boxes, organizing donations and cleaning the storage warehouse left the day with not only sore muscles but also, and more importantly, warm hearts. With the sweat on their brows and the compassion in their efforts, the teams working at the food bank happily got their hands dirty for the benefit of those who lack the capacity to support their families with the basic necessities of a clean home and a healthy meal. Thank you to the LA Regional Food Bank for letting us help make a difference through supporting your phenomenal year-round services.”

- Grady Wieger, LA Food Bank Team Leader

What kind of static images tend to grab people’s attention? The answer is easy.

Cute kids and fuzzy animals.

Team One’s non-profit client, Heal the Bay, approached us to help create a digital slide to run as pre-roll for independent theaters across Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Twilight summer concert series. The objective was relatively simple; help raise awareness of Heal the Bay and their efforts to make Southern California coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy and clean. We decided to produce two static communications, which would raise awareness in two separate areas. The first, affectionately titled “Toilet,” directs traffic to download Heal the Bay’s free water quality app called Beach Report Card. To keep costs at a minimum, we actually used a Team One bathroom – (coordinated with the cleaning crew, of course). Even the talent donated his time, but only after he was supplied a few M&Ms from his father/Creative Director, David DeRoma. The second ad, titled “Animal Fashion” drives traffic to healthebay.org where people can learn more about how to support Heal the Bay through donations or volunteering.

We are passionate about improving and protecting our local beaches, and are pretty proud to work alongside Heal the Bay. Enjoy the ads now, but please enjoy the beach for generations to come.

White Sox’ Gordon Beckham and Team One Central intern Maureen Stroka hang out at ‘Out of the Park’ event

When Team One Central presented Lexus the opportunity to partner with White Sox Radio, they jumped at the chance. Not only are they able to get their advertising message out, they are also able to support White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham and his “Out of the Park” Foundation. Throughout the baseball season, every time the South Siders hit an RBI, the Chicago and Northwest Indiana Lexus Dealers make a donation to help Beckham in his mission to eradicate Parkinson’s Disease.

Recently, Team One Central was able to spend the day with Gordon Beckham and see the good work of his foundation first hand. During an event at Chicago’s U.S Cellular Field (Comiskey Park, if you’re legit) Beckham thanked Team One, the Lexus dealers, and others for their support of the National Parkinson Foundation. Gordon Beckham also spent time with Parkinson’s patients and introduced his grandfather who suffers from Parkinson’s disease. His grandfather’s battle with this neurological disease inspired him to start the “Out of the Park” Foundation.

The event showcased Team One’s ability to reach out to the local community with positive campaigns that leave a lasting impact. Community service and involvement is in Team One’s DNA. Looking at advertising opportunities through an altruistic lens allows us to expand the reach of our campaigns and tie Lexus to the local community.

For more information on Parkinson’s Disease and upcoming philanthropic events, visit: http://www.parkinson.org/

And check out Out of the Park’s website to track its progress and get involved: http://www.outofthepark.org

One of our favorite Felton teachers Mr. R

Team One stresses the importance of giving back to our community and we embrace the ability to do so in a supportive work environment (and during work hours, just sayin’).

Felton School, located in nearby Lennox, CA, is an elementary school that Team One has been partnering with for more than 15 years. Yes, 15 years. We use our December Day of Good to go shopping for Christmas gifts (buying everything from Wii gaming systems and bikes to jackets for the whole family), wrapping and delivering everything, along with a Christmas tree and turkey dinner to five struggling local families during the Christmas season. In March, we celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday and participated in Read Across America with Felton School. Our partnership, now friendship, and support of Felton School is one that runs very deep for many Team One employees.

Most recently, Scott Wilcox, principal of Felton School, reached out to Team One to ask for our support and promotion of a contest they entered in order to win $20,000. They plan on buying iPads for all of their Autistic students.

Please take a moment to click the link below in order to vote and help us support Felton School and their quest to better the education of their students. Once you click the link, please find “Our iPad Dream” Felton Elementary School, Lennox, CA.

You can vote three times a day, now through July 8. Please do so, we are!

http://www.biglots.com/lots2give/vote/link?videoId=2c9461ee372753700137284ed9f10001

Working closely with the children shelter’s new Executive Director, Christie Smith, Team One Atlanta was tasked to decorate the Holiday House, gather in-kind donations and invited to be personal shoppers for the families on their assigned shopping day. We spent two weeks gathering donations and brainstorming for the Gingerbread-themed decorating. On the Monday of the week-long event, the decorating began with gingerbread-man garland, gigantic gift-wrapped presents with Lexus’ iconic “red bow,” a gingerbread wonderland that greeted families in the reception area and a stocking stuffer station.

The shelter’s Board of Directors toured the Holiday House that evening and claimed it was the best-decorated house to-date. They were thoroughly impressed with the creativity and thoughtfulness displayed through the decorations.

Thursday brought the opportunity for Team One associates to participate in the shopping experience with the families. We worked the family check-in station, assigning nametags, shopping bags and shopping guidelines for families. A few associates had the honored task of being a “personal shopper” for the families and spent the fully assigned hour assisting parents with selecting each gift based on their children’s likes, personalities and style. Clothing was also chosen for family members based on their age.

We were inspired by the entire “Holiday House” experience and by our ability to give back to those less fortunate. We look forward to volunteering for next year’s event and making the 2012 holidays a season to remember for all of us.

Click here for a full photo gallery from our Day of Good 2011!

This is why every holiday season Team One follows a tradition of spending a “Day of Good” lending a hand to local charities.  As in years past, Team One jumped in to help walk dogs for Friends of Animals, sort through food at the LA Food Bank, distribute holiday gifts to the families of Felton Elementary and play with the boys and girls of Free Arts for Abused Children.  But this year, the love expanded to include two more much-deserving non-profits: the Amanda Foundation Animal Shelter in Beverly Hills, where participants played with the animals and cleaned kennels, as well as Rainbow Services, for which Team Oners purchased and sorted through much-needed supplies for this San Pedro-located women’s shelter.

The “Day of Good” was a fun way for Team One to get involved in the community, but was also greatly appreciated by the charities and those they assist.  Charity Team Leaders came back to the agency with stories of heart-felt experiences and touching feedback from the organizations.  Here are just a few of their accounts…

“At the Amanda Foundation, the Team One crew jumped right in to walk dogs, brush cats and clean the kennels.  For people that usually work at desks – this was hard work!  It was sad to see so many great pets without homes but it felt good to give back and to get to know some fellow animal-lovers here at Team One.  Everyone showed up ready to get their hands dirty and do whatever was needed.”

-       Kat Kirsch, The Amanda Foundation Team Leader

“The (Rainbow Services Women’s Shelter) Director was completely overwhelmed by the generosity and the hours of shopping, sorting etc., that means so much.  For those that were not part of the delivery crew…I wish you could have seen her face when we began to unload everything.  This charity does so much to break the cycle of domestic violence and I know that what we did as a group will go a long way in helping.”

-       Cait Drury, Rainbow Services Team Leader

“For Felton School Elementary, we purchased and delivered gifts, Christmas trees, and restaurant gift cards to families unable to provide these things for themselves.  We took on the job of shopping for some of the gifts, taking the time to make sure everything matched and that siblings received different colors. Four and a half hours and thirty-four complete outfits later, we now know the layout of every Target in a ten-mile radius.  It was no easy task, but worth every minute when we were able to deliver the items to the families who deserved them more than anyone.

-               Justine Kleeman & Nicole Donanian, Felton Elementary School Team Leaders

“There is nothing more rewarding then waking up the next morning and realizing that you not only helped to feed 1 million people (a quarter of the LA population) but also got a great ab and forearm workout in.  Sorting food at the LA Food Bank was a great way to bring people from around the agency together for the common good of feeding LA.  It made us aware of the constant need for volunteerism throughout the year.  Hunger is not just during the holidays, but is a struggle that people face daily”

-               Rebecca Reingen, LA Food Bank Team Leader

The “Day of Good” was rewarding for everyone, from our furry friends at the animal shelters, to the grateful kids at Free Arts for Abused Children, to the Team Oners who got to experience these six charities first hand.

I guess it is true what the Grinch thought that fateful day: “‘It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.’ And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before: ‘What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store…What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.’”

1. A universal icon representing the epitome of authority and raw manhood.
2. The source of all righteous power; the facial hair style of the sophisticated man or woman.
Source: urbandictionary.com
Now, add “symbol of awareness for men’s health” and you’ve got a complete definition! For the past month, these 7 brave souls have been stunning frightening fellow T1′ers with their facial hair, and while at times the growth bordered on creepy, we all know it was for a great cause. Together these ‘stached bros have raised over $1,500 for men’s cancer awareness initiatives. They even got a nice little nod from MSNBC. Bravo, gentlemen!

Wait. Before you answer that question, answer this one: do you have any old cellphones or electronics laying around the house? If so, your answer to the first question could go up dramatically.

Yes, your old electronics can save lives.

When you donate your used phones and electronics through the Phone2Food program, they’ll donate the proposed buyback value directly to UNICEF to help fight the catastrophic famine happening right now in East Africa.

For every $1.10 you give, a child in East Africa gets life-saving therapeutic food for a day. 100% of your phone’s buyback value goes to UNICEF and is tax-deductible. You can save lots of lives, and it only costs you a phone that you don’t need anymore.

Donate today at www.Phone2Food.org.

Earlier this week, Team One wrapped up its third annual fundraising drive for the Los Angeles AIDS Walk, taking place this Sunday, October 16. Our efforts centered around two tent pole events: a waffle breakfast, and a raffle/ live auction/ dance-off.

From flipping pancakes, to a dancer dressed in drag, we raised over $9,000!

LOTS MORE AWESOME PHOTOS HERE!

Although the prospect of taking home an enticing raffle item (iPad, Ray Bans, concert tickets, restaurant certificates, etc. from our gracious media partners) and watching co-workers embarrass themselves in front of the whole agency while dancing was incentive to donate, we are reminded of the seriousness of this disease. AIDS has likely affected each of our lives in some way, and it was touching that people gave of their time and money so freely. Yet again, I am proud to call myself a Team One-er.

Atlanta Children’s Shelter provides high-quality early childcare and comprehensive social services for homeless families striving for self-sufficiency. On-site services include case management, employment services, permanent housing resettlement and mentorship services.

The Atlanta field office further supports shelter staff by decorating classrooms and developing creativity-driving projects for the children. Because of the number of Team One employees that volunteer time each month, each classroom and age group is supported. Employees of Team One’s Atlanta field office include Alex Boggs, Karen DiMatties, Courtney Nellis, Gina Healy, Lisa Moakler, Amanda Page, Julie Porter, Jesse Sammons, Sarah Steele and Jacquelyn Wallace.

“Team One is a volunteer team that has always put the needs of Atlanta Children’s Shelter first,” said Tony Conway, Development Director for the shelter. “Their support of our mission helps a small staff produce big results.”

“We specifically selected the Atlanta Children’s Center as a charitable partner because of their continuous need for volunteers and strong relationships with the children, said DiMatties, Area Manager for the field office. “After our first volunteer experience, we all wanted to go back and be with the kids. It is important that we have a continuous presence in their lives and at the shelter.”

From its headquarters in El Segundo, CA, Team One also hosts an annual “Day of Good,” in which more than 300 employees from five offices around the country come together for one-of-a-kind charitable efforts. Previous “Days of Good’ have supported Los Angeles-based organizations including the Felton School in Lennox, CA; the Los Angeles Food Bank; Free Arts; and Friends of Animals.