At most companies, what an employer provides to staff – salaries, vacation time, perks – has a big impact on determining the work culture. The interesting twist at InGenius is that our culture is heavily influenced from the bottom up, by the employees themselves. InGenius pays passionate attention to hiring skilled people that also have marvelous personalities (*humbly patting self on back*). The result is an assorted cast of characters who are incredibly generous. The staff at InGenius has continuously been fundraising, volunteering and donating for a variety of charities that have affected our lives, families and friends.
Here are just a few of InGenius employees’ latest charitable efforts.
Britta, part of our marketing team, donates her hair every 2-3 years to the Canadian Cancer Society to help make wigs for women who have lost their hair as a result of cancer treatment. Their hair donation campaign helps cancer patients regain their confidence and sense of self. Since 2007, the Canadian Cancer Society has received over 70,000 ponytails. Britta notes, “I started to get serious about donating my hair when I was a student in university. It became a way for me to contribute when I couldn’t afford to give money or time. I have since continued to chop it off every few years. This last time in July was my 4th ponytail donation.”
John, Product Specialist, helped start a company that empowers buyers to give back while purchasing athletic gear. His organization, Angel Apparel, shares its profits with those in need, and has worked with a number of charities, most notably physical activity events such as the Ottawa Army Run and the Make a Wish Foundation’s Rope for Hope. Since its start, Angel Apparel has raised over $6000 for Ottawa-based charities.
Greg, one of our support gurus, recognized an opportunity to make a difference right in the InGenius office. He saw the amount of pop cans we recycle every week and encouraged the company to collect the tabs to support the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. The MS Society provides services to people with multiple sclerosis and their families, and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease. “I’ve been collecting pop can tabs for years and giving them to my cousin, as he’s involved with the MS Society in Ottawa,” says Greg. “When I joined InGenius and saw what we could do, I thought it would be good to get a jar going again. I save tabs at home as well, and my sister-in-law in Montreal also saves them for me.”
Jamie, an InGenius tester, participates annually in Extra Life, a 24-hour gaming marathon to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Over the past 4 years he’s raised just shy of $5,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Not only is Jamie a gaming fanatic, he also has a very personal connection to the cause. Cameron, Jamie’s son, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at 14. He and his dad have teamed up to create a charity called “Play2Win”, which donates board and video games for the local children’s hospital playroom. Cameron has now been cancer free for 3 years.
Andrea, one of our account managers, participates in the annual Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival and fundraises with her team. To date, $3.7 million has been raised through the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation, benefitting 40 Ottawa area charities. This past June, Andrea’s team did exceptionally well, placing 3rd overall for most money fundraised by a female team, granting them access to an extra race day. Way to go!
Thank you to our InGenius employees, and all you volunteers and fundraisers around the world who make a difference. We hope these stories inspire some new ideas on how people can act in their communities.