Olympus Employees Get Creative to Support Local Non-Profits

To reinforce and reward employee interests in various local non-profits, Center Valley-based Olympus Corporation of the Americas, launched an internal employee challenge --  The Snowman Charity Project.  This creative, team-building contest was offered to help employees educate their colleagues about their favorite local charities. 

Employee teams were asked to create a snowman with any available materials to represent the focus of their chosen charity. Real snow was not allowed but real money, in the form of a donation to their charity for the top 3 designs, was part of the draw for the participants. Next to each faux snowman was a display informing colleagues about the mission of a Lehigh Valley charity and how to get involved. 

When the "snow people" debuted in front of the company cafeteria, 16 Lehigh Valley charities were featured along with their efforts to assist a range of groups including rescue animals, military veterans and special-needs children.

The previously unknown artistic abilities of fellow employees were showcased through the use of plastic cups, Alpaca fur, stuffed toy animals and even garbage bags, just to name a few.  It is hoped that each creation encouraged new volunteerism and future donations for a featured charity. "These dedicated, creative teams organized and worked together to bring the heart of their charity to life! Every entry is a winner," stated Lauren Goff, Executive Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Olympus Corporation of the Americas. 

Employee votes for the snowman creations were tallied and the winners were: 

1^st place ($1000): Peaceable Kingdom

2^nd place ($750): Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living

3^rd place ($500): Archbury Foundation

“Best in Show” ($250): Pennridge FISH

The creative efforts put in to the project were rewarded with a surprise announcement from the Olympus executive team that all represented non-profits who did not place would still receive a $100 charitable contribution.