Top Five Ways #VDAGivesBack
As a proud member of the Greater Boston business community with a deep-rooted commitment and desire to lend a hand to others, our team has built solid relationships with our clients, each other and within the community. At VDA, we get involved, help each other out and stay true to the principals and core beliefs that have brought us successfully into our third decade of business. We started the #VDAGIVESBACK initiative on our 30th Anniversary. We continue to challenge ourselves, our employees and partners to give back to the Boston community. As we look forward, we are pleased to continue our commitment and we are excited to share how we give back and continue to build on our legacy of community involvement.
1. VDA’s Repurposing Initiative
A now legacy program, the VDA Repurposing Initiative, connects artists, organizations, and schools with excess material generated at VDA. We have donated graphics and materials including MDF, plywood, various foams, various plastics, plexiglass and more. By diverting these materials from the landfills and helping get them out into the learning and creative communities, this program has been a boon to both the creative economy and the environment. You can learn more about this initiative by joining our VDA Repurposing Initiative Facebook Group.
2. VDA’s Holiday Traditions
VDA annually finds a local charity or organization that matches VDA’s beliefs and values and extends a gift of $5,000. Over the years, recipients have included the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts and the American Red Cross, Clara Barton Society. The contributions have aided in providing scholarships and financial assistance to the Girl Scout Campership Fund. Our donations to the Clara Barton Society help to ensure that the American Red Cross will always be there to prevent and relieve human suffering in times of need. In addition, the VDA team makes an annual, all-staff effort to sponsor a family or two for the holiday season. We fulfill gift requests through the Home for Little Wanderers, Big Wishes Gift Drive. The Drive helps to provide gifts for thousands of children and families across the region. #VDAGIVESBACK
3. Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) Festival
VDA has been a major sponsorship partner for the annual Greater Boston Food Bank Festival. We have been supplying décor during a unique fund-raising evening for attendees and sponsors to “end hunger here”. By utilizing the GBFB warehouse as the host venue, we have been able to control costs while providing the guests a truly unique experience. In the process, we are showcasing the warehouse space where 52 million pounds of food is distributed every year to GBFB’s network of 550-member agencies. The VDA team has created a street festival theme and experience to both maximize the venue and educate the guests by replacing the traditional sit-down dinner with food stations and lounge vignettes within the actual food racks. The event continues to be a huge success with record-setting fundraising efforts each year.
4. Emerson College Partnership
A graduate of Emerson College, VDA’s Founder and Principal Designer David Breen continually incorporates the Emerson College network into the #VDAGIVESBACK initiative. VDA provides an annual sponsorship of the EVVY Awards Gala, the largest student-run live award show in the nation, integrating Emerson College students into the design and production of the awards show stage set. VDA also steps in to aid with décor, lighting and graphics for the annual Emerson College Alumni Weekend Celebration. In addition, David makes an annual, personal donation in support of his alma mater and to set a positive example for future generations of creative services professionals. David has also served in leadership roles on both The Emerson College Alumni Board of Directors and the college’s Board of Advisors.
5. Event Industry Support & Collaboration
In addition to serving the Boston community through the #VDAgivesback initiative, VDA works to support the local event organizations through sponsorships and collaborations such as the Fall Educational Institute, the MPI New England Chapter’s largest annual event. VDA is a regular supporter of MPI Education and has participated in several meetings. We have even hosted a meeting at the VDA Warehouse in Somerville. VDA is an active participant in the local ILEA (International Live Event Association) Boston Chapter, PCMA (Professional Conference Management Association) and GBCVB (Greater Boston Convention Visitors Bureau). Our industry is growing and rapidly changing. We are happy to contribute our knowledge and expertise to educate and collaborate with our colleagues in this exciting space.
All of us here at VDA Productions love our work and we love to give back. If you have any suggestions on how we can give back to the community or if you are interested in participating in any of these efforts, feel free to give us a call at 888-868-9200 or you can email us at sales@vdaproductions.com. Or, you can follow our ongoing efforts on Twitter @VDAProductions via #VDAGIVESBACK