Taking the Community into Account

May 12, 2008 | Community News | Archive 2008

The public chartered accounting firm actively supports employees who want to perform volunteer work in their communities and that's exactly the kind of mentality that Jody Ryzhak wanted to capitalize on.

Volunteers from accounting giant Ernst & Young traded spread sheets for drop cloths to participate in a United Way Day of Caring on Thursday, May 1st.

"It's not always about giving money. It's giving time and feeling good about yourself," he said.

Ryzhak, a U.S. Tax Manager in the firm's Winnipeg office, sits on the firm's community involvement committee. He heard about other companies completing hands-on projects in the community and thought his firm could bring some sweat equity to the table.

"United Way brings together the people and resources necessary to create lasting change," said Barb Brown, United Way's Day of Caring Program Manager. "Day of Caring is a perfect example of how that works."

Fifty-five volunteers joined community members and staff at three resource centres in the Elmwood area to clean up, garden and bring a lively splash of colour to the building exteriors.

"They were a very hardworking group of people who left a lasting impression," said Ingrid Zacharias, Executive Director of the Elmwood Community Resource Centre. "We would never have been able to afford the labour that they were able to provide. Now each of our sites is a beacon for the community...people will know where to go."

This was Ernst & Young's first partnership in a Day of Caring and Ryzhak believes it's a winning formula.

"On top of doing something as part of the community, it's a team-building exercise," he said. "We had one staff person up on a ladder supported by one of the firm's partners."

Besides turning the corporate ladder upside down, the bottom line here is the very real difference made in the community and in people's lives.

Thanks Ernst & Young for helping create opportunities for a better life for everyone.

That's an investment that's very much appreciated.

A message to Winnipeg about United Way's campaign Janury 5, 2012