The Emmes Corporation today announced that it is the new corporate sponsor of Leadership Montgomery's Corporate Volunteer Council.
The grant from Emmes will help Leadership Montgomery add new business partners, help existing partners increase the number of employee volunteers, and match volunteer interests with the needs of area non-profit and charitable organizations.
"Our employees care about supporting our community," said Dr. Anne Lindblad, president and chief executive officer of Emmes. "Sponsoring the Corporate Volunteer Council takes our commitment a step further, as we hope to encourage other Montgomery County businesses to launch or increase their employee volunteer activities."
The Corporate Volunteer Council connects businesses and professionals to structured volunteer and community engagement opportunities in Montgomery County. Packing food for weekend backpack programs and teaching Junior Achievement classes are a few examples. The council also provides companies and their employees with information and guidance on the best practices for employee volunteer programs.
C. Marie Taylor, president and chief executive officer of Leadership Montgomery, noted, "The connection between Emmes and Leadership Montgomery is a model for community commitment and support. With this grant from Emmes, we can do an even better job of recruiting and supporting corporate volunteers and linking them with organizations that address the greatest needs in our county."
Since its inception, Leadership Montgomery has supported 864 local non-profits with 25,000 hours of volunteer service. Until this past year, the Corporate Volunteer Council was a stand-alone organization focused on encouraging voluntarism in Montgomery County. Now as a program of Leadership Montgomery, the council will expand and deepen the organizations' strengths and relationships.
Taylor added, "Our community will benefit, as more employee volunteers can address more needs. Plus, employee volunteer programs increase engagement and have a clear impact on recruitment and retention."
Jennifer Hester, vice president of human resources at Emmes, is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery's nine-month core leadership program that connects leaders and decision-makers in the county. A county resident for more than 35 years, Hester will lead the company's Corporate Volunteer Council activities.
According to Hester, "We are honored and excited to be the first sponsor of this program in the inaugural year of the formal partnership between the Corporate Volunteer Council and Leadership Montgomery. We will be able to formalize and expand our own volunteer program here at Emmes, while sharing lessons learned with other area businesses who also want to increase their employee participation and impact."
Emmes, for example, will host peer learning sessions at its Rockville headquarters for companies in Montgomery County.
Hester continued, "What is especially positive is that our missions align. Emmes focuses on public health, our employees care about the community, and Leadership Montgomery's Corporate Volunteer Council promotes community involvement. It's a perfect fit!"
About Emmes
We collaborate with our clients to produce valued, trusted scientific research. Our team members at Emmes are passionate about making a difference in the quality of human health, and we have supported more than a thousand studies across a diverse range of diseases since our formation in 1977. Our research is contributing to a healthier world. For more information, visit the Emmes website at www.emmes.com.
