#TeamMindshare giving back

At Mindshare, we're proud to support our communities. Whether that's working with Feeding America to get food to millions of Americans or our teams taking action to help those around them, we're delighted to help make an impact and raise awareness. Here are some of the activities we're glad to be involved in.

Raising money for Feeding America

Teamwork is at the heart of Mindshare and together, we can make a difference. We're thrilled to have raised $5250 for Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund, that helps get meals to those who need them the most. Our passion drives us to do the best work possible and we’re proud to support and contribute to a cause that means so much to us. For more information about Feeding America and its COVID-19 Response Fund, visit our GoFundMe page.

Supporting Unilever's #UnitedForAmerica

As well as fundraising, Feeding America need other support too. Thursday, May 21 was Unilever USA's Day of Service as part of #UnitedForAmerica, a movement inspiring collective action to deliver food, medical supplies, hygiene products, and other critical items to organizations supporting those most impacted by this crisis. Unilever set up a really easy way to send a note of gratitude to the volunteers at local food banks through Postable. Many of us around the network sent thanks to those on the frontline, sending almost 800 e-cards. A huge thank you to everyone who everyone spent time on various other activities, such as donating clothes to Goodwill, giving old devices new homes and supporting local restaurants.

#TeamMindshare and communities

Our employees around the USA are helping key workers and local business by making masks, fundraising for charities or local hospitals, ensuring meals are getting to key workers and much more. We're proud to share some of those stories.

"Giving back has always been a passion for me and I have been volunteering at a local food pantry in Union Square for almost 8 years – I can’t wait to return once the lockdown is lifted! I’m driven by the work our team has done on Dove Masterbrand; most recently #CourageisBeautiful which recognizes the hard work of healthcare and essential workers on the frontline. I’m also proud to be part of our DEI employee resource group, The Collective. Not only is it a passion of mine, it’s a hugely important that we continue to coordinate engaging events highlighting diversity among Mindshare’s purple people!”

Unilever's #UnitedForAmerica Day of Service is about committing product, time and gratitude to those affected by COVID-19. Here’s Chris’ story on what drives him: “I love working on a brand and at an agency that inspires a purpose. It’s not just about clocking in the hours - but about being a part of something that is changing in the industry and world. I was involved in our latest work for Dove, the “Courage Is Beautiful” campaign. Everyone put their all into this campaign to get our message of support to key workers on the frontline. We broke down barriers and worked outside normal boundaries. This campaign was also close to home for me too, as I was personally impacted by COVID-19 (back in mid-March). After coming down with the virus, I was fortunate enough to take some time off, rally back and help get this message out to those who needed it most. I was hugely grateful to our key workers who have been working incredibly hard and to see a major brand get behind them as well, I was proud. I’ve also dusted off my sewing machine in the last few weeks, watched some YouTube videos, and crafted some very D-I-Y facemasks!”

Leah is a nurse at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn (near Chicago), so Marissa has seen first-hand the impact. Her department (normally a post-surgical care unit) was abruptly turned into the hospital’s latest COVID-19 treatment unit. In less than 24 hours, the department staff had to flip the unit to safely transport their existing patients, make adjustments to meet heightened safety standards, and learn new protocol and procedures for COVID-19 patient care. Marissa looked for ways that she could make sure she was supporting Leah and her coworkers. Many friends and family members of the unit staff have donated to sponsor a catered meal for the healthcare workers during a shift, so they can have one less thing to worry about and can keep their focus on providing the best care to their patients during this time. Marissa says: "It’s truly inspiring to how our communities are working to help each other to stay safe. And I'm so thankful for my wonderful colleagues at Mindshare who donated or shared with their networks to raise money. We thank all healthcare workers and support their plea to stay home for them."

Here is Sarah's story and how she’s been supporting her second family: “Both of Rachel’s parents work in hospitals, so I have been hearing first-hand how wild everything has been for them since COVID-19 started. When we asked what we could do to help, her mom told us about a program started by a local high school sophomore that allows you to send meals to healthcare workers in Atlanta hospitals, which in turn supports local restaurants. I reached out to my colleagues in Atlanta to see if we could get donations together and take part. This group of people never ceases to amaze me; in about a week we were able to raise $800 to purchase meals! That translates to 72 meals purchased from local restaurants and delivered straight to healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m so thankful to everyone at Mindshare for supporting, and even more proud of to see the work our healthcare workers and local businesses are doing each day.”

“When my children’s school challenged each student to perform a random act of kindness, my kids instantly said they were ready for it! They were desperate to help. A friend of mine is a Pampered Chef consultant, and she was raising money to buy lunch bags that she would personally stuff with goodies for the hospital that her sister worked at. This was the perfect opportunity for us all to get involved too - we could also raise enough and donate them to the hospital. Within 12 hours we raised over $650 from friends and family. I couldn’t believe it - it was incredible! Before the week was over, we raised enough money to order 195 lunch bags that were delivered to Mount Sinai, St Catherine’s Medical Center, Winthrop Hospital and the Hospital for Special Surgery. A little token of appreciation for those special friends in our lives for being on the front lines. A lesson taught to my children to always do good for others.”

"I was inspired by an email from Adam Gerhart (our US CEO) where he shared all of the amazing things that Mindshare have been doing to help people in their local communities, including making masks. After a couple of emails out to the Mindshare family I was connected with Shannon Roth who kindly shared her mask pattern with me. I have an old sewing machine that I usually use for out-of-quarantine outfits, but since we’re not going to be going out for a while, I thought I could put it to better use. So I’ve spent the last week collecting up all of the scraps of material I had lying around to make masks for my family and friends, this way we can all feel a bit safer when we venture the outdoors!"