CreateAthon Beneficiaries Named
Six Richmond-area non-profits will be the beneficiaries of donated design work by PUNCH. CreateAthon is a national effort where advertising and design agencies devote a 24-hour period to creating cutting-edge marketing materials for deserving 501(c)3 agencies at no charge. Since the program’s expansion from a single market to an international effort in 2001, more than 40 agencies have joined the CreateAthon network, holding CreateAthon events in their cities. This effort has benefited 833 non-profit organizations with 1,809 projects valued at $7 million.
The winners from over 40 applications are:
RX Partnership, which provides free prescription drugs to the un-insured.
Homeward, who tackles issues related to homelessness.
Community Based Services, who maintains group homes for mentally challenged adults.
FURS, a dog rescue and adoption organization.
Chesterfield CASA, who provide advocates for children who are in the court system due to child neglect and abuse.
Central Virginia Food Bank, identifies hunger needs and food sources so that none go hungry in Central Virginia.
PUNCH will design brochures, posters, web sites, identity packages, marketing strategies, holiday cards, and even city bus ads. The work blitz will take place from 9:00 AM, September 13 to 9:00 AM, September 14. PUNCH has engaged partners to support the work and the workers. They include: Richmond.com, The Common Cup, Mojo’s, Crossroads, and Jean Jacques Bakery.
Kelly Adams, Managing Partner at PUNCH, says, “We participate in a lot of events that benefit local charities, but it will feel especially meaningful to help while doing what we do best, creating outstanding design. We know that so many small non-profits use the funds they raise for operating expenses, and don’t have enough remaining for marketing materials. We hope to fill the gap and give these groups a boost.”
In order to select the winning agencies, PUNCH called upon two non-profit experts, Sue French Lewis and Mark Cruise, to act as judges. Sue French Lewis is President of Imagine Communications, a public relations and marketing firm. She has more than 25 years experience in the communications field, in both corporate and non-profit sectors. Prior to starting Imagine Communications, Ms. Lewis was Director of Customer Communications for Dominion Power in a number of marketing and public affairs positions in the corporate offices as well as seven years in field operations. Prior to Dominion, Ms. Lewis worked as community affairs director with the United Way of Greater Richmond. She was also a legislative liaison for the Virginia Department of Social Services.
Mark Cruise is the founder and principal of FC/A Solutions, LLC, a consulting company serving free clinics, free clinic associations, and all those who partner with them. In addition to two college degrees, Mark graduated from the inaugural college of Fundraising of the First Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Fund Raising Executives in 1996. He is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Network of Non-Profit Organizations and is a member of the Virginia Society of Association Executives. These two professionals were invaluable in assessing the efficiency with which each group satisfied their mission.
PUNCH specializes in high-end graphic design, corporate identity development, advertising, brand development and renovation, strategic marketing planning, multimedia design, and illustration. The firm’s clients include Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Richmond Ballet, and TerraForge Communities. For more information about PUNCH, please visit http://www.theartofimpact.com
