Thursday, December 1, 2011

Looking back and giving back in 2011

As another year passes by and the festive season quickly approaches, many individuals and companies draw their attention to giving back to the community. It has been said that clients prefer to do business and staff prefer to be engaged by an organisation that contributes back to the community. Here at Realmark, our Community Connect team have been busy doing just that.


Our ‘Operation Christmas Child’ program was a success with 77 individual Christmas gift boxes, donated by Realmark employees, shipped off to children in need through the Samaritan’s Purse initiative.


In addition we have this year made significant donations to a variety of charitable organisations including Red Kite, Nulsen and the Star Light Foundation.


More recently, we are pleased to announce that Anita Percudani has been appointed as a member to the Art Gallery of Western Australia Foundation Council. This collaboration and participation certainly augments the Realmark Community Connect contribution.


The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Gallery and allows art lovers to provide their support, both financially and in-kind. Through the Foundation’s work, numerous important pieces have been acquired for the State Art Collection; many of these artworks would have otherwise been unattainable.


Our first engagement with the Art Gallery of Western Australia was in 2010 when Realmark sponsored the Gallery’s social event of the year; ‘Starry Starry Night’ – which launched the Venetian Peggy Guggenheim collection at the Gallery.


The Art Gallery’s Director, Dr Stefano Carboni and Anita’s mutual Venetian heritage aside, this event was the start of a wonderful new collaboration.


Anita said that the partnership positions Realmark alongside an iconic West Australian organisation. It provides a premium brand association and opens our work up to a whole new audience.


“Along with our other community initiatives we were looking for a way to get involved in the arts and I am really excited about being part of the Foundation and supporting its important work. We wanted to build a more diverse philanthropic portfolio for the business and we felt the Gallery and Realmark values were well aligned.


“This association is about being a good corporate citizen, giving back to a society that helps sustain our business. I am looking forward to encouraging younger generations to see the value in art and culture and to help contribute to the Gallery’s growth,” she said.


It is anticipated that Anita’s involvement with this key WA cultural organisation will also expand business networks as a collective benefit to our clients and employees.
“I also look forward to the wonderful opportunities that may arise through this partnership for our employees and the broader Realmark community,” she said.


The Gallery is currently exhibiting Princely Treasures: European Masterpieces 1600 – 1800 from the Victoria and Albert Museum and is available for viewing until 9 January 2012.


As we approach 2012 we will be looking for further opportunities to augment the Community Connect program as we see it as absolutely vital to give back. Not only does it unite people working together for a collective goal, but it also makes a difference to the community that supports us.


Just finally, on behalf of Anita, myself and all of the Realmark team I would like to wish all of our readers a very joyful and safe holiday season and a prosperous and happy New Year!


Until next time.

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