Dear readers, fans and followers of OmnicomCares-

We here have all been struck by the incredible level of devastation in Haiti and the ever-growing death toll on the island. Initial help is already on its way to aid the Haitians in such desperate need of food, water, shelter and basic medical services. OmnicomCares.com believes that the infrastructure already in place will channel aid quickly and efficiently.

We recommend that you go to either CNN’s or Fox News’ lists of reputable organizations and choose an organization from these vetted lists. The window of time to help with Haitians’ most immediate needs may be closing, but they will clearly need help in so many ways months and even years from now.

On June 7th, 2008, Omnicom brought together a team of Omnicom employees and executives in town for an Omnicom conference to rejuvenate two locations in the historic community of South Boston. With public housing dominating the landscape and dilapidated playgrounds everywhere, OmnicomCares wanted to make sure families in “Southie” have a safe, fun, and nurturing environment to raise their families. Even before the event began, the team received many letters of gratitude from the leaders of the Old Colony Teen Center – one of which read: “Omnicom and City Year have both restored my faith in humanity. It is because of people like you, that make my vision seem not so far away.”

Not only did the Omnicom Family give of its time, but also donated $50,000 to the Center.

In short, the video from the event speaks for itself.  It was an inspiring event, and showcased both the dedication and creativity found within the Omnicom Family.

It was all capped by a ribbon cutting ceremony in which, on top of everything that the volunteers had already done, Randy Weisenberger presented a check for $50,000 to Laurel Elementary School Principal Janet Johnson. Among other things, the money will be used to buy equipment, uniforms, and fund jobs programs for the school’s 7th and 8th grade students.

What photos will never show are some of the numbers that marked this inaugural service project. We’ll start with weather data: 93 degrees Fahrenheit, 90% humidity.

Some other statistics of the day:

• Mixed 11,400 lbs of cement
• Drank 3,500 bottles of Aquafina water and Gatorade
• Consumed 1 ton of ice
• 225 adult volunteers, and 75 children and young adults
• Administered 1 Band-Aid
• Moved and spread 440 cubic yards of mulch (a KaBOOM! record)
• Listened to 1 Brass Band
• Ate 340 MacDonald’s double cheeseburgers
• Devoured 600 pieces of fried chicken
• Filled 50 – 24” wide x 48” deep post holes
• Assembled 5 tractor trailers of raw materials and components

Add it all up and you have a playground built in only 6 hours… not to mention a great day for everyone – the local community and the Omnicom volunteers!