One of the things that makes ReadyTalk a Best Companies to Work For, is the company’s support and emphasis on philanthropic activities. To encourage employees to support local non-profit organizations:

• Every employee receives 20 hours of paid volunteer hours per year to support an organization of his/her choice


• The company matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to $500 annually


• Donation of in-kind web and audio conferences to qualifying non-profits.

In addition, ReadyTalk has an employee-led Charitable Contributions Committee. The group’s mission is to support non-profit organizations that create a positive impact on the community, support education and the environment. The committee focuses on non-profits that are employee-supported, located on the Colorado Front Range, and provide services to financially disadvantaged populations. ReadyTalk gives the committee $10,000 per quarter to donate to organizations selected by the group.

For Q3 2010, the Charitable Contributions Committee is supporting the following organizations:

• Brain Injury Association of Colorado, Pikes Peak Challenge
  September 11, Pikes Peak
  The Pike’s peak challenge is a summit to the top of Pike’s Peak to raise money for the Brain Injury Association of Colorado. All funds raised go into the Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund of Colorado which provides services for children and adults who have sustained a TBI.

   

  Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 5th Annual Purple Stride Golden Gallop
  September 11, Splash Aquatic Park, Golden, Colo.
  Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is dedicated to the fight against pancreatic cancer, the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Join them for a 5K walk/run and a 10K run.

  Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, Walk to Cure Diabetes
  Sunday, September 12, Elitch Gardens
  JDRF is the worldwide leader for research to cure type 1 diabetes. It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide.

  Make-A-Wish Foundation, 6th Annual Kickball Tournament
  Saturday, September 25, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City
  The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. This year's tournament will boast 14 fields of simultaneous kickball action, with an estimated 70 teams and 1,300 participants, which would make this the largest one day kickball tournament in the state of Colorado.

  Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Light the Night Walk
  Thursday, September 30, Wash Park, 5:00 p.m.
  During this leisurely walk, walkers carry illuminated balloons - white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer - thousands of walkers - men, women and children - form a community of caring, bringing light to the dark world of cancer.

It’s always a challenging decision for our group to decide which organizations to support because we want to support as many organizations as possible. I’d love to hear what organizations you support or think are worthwhile. We’re also looking for volunteer opportunities so if you have any suggestions, please share!