Singapore – Global media agency network UM has rolled out its fifth annual day community service ‘Impact Day: Homecoming’ across its over 120 offices in 50 countries, including East Asia.
In China, the agency is working with the non-profit Green Foodbank to collect surplus food resources and provide them to individuals, families, and communities in need, working to simultaneously reduce food waste and combat the food shortages in Shanghai.
Meanwhile, its Japan-based offices are donating to Charity By The Book and Free The Children, as well as assisting Make-A-Wish Japan, and coaching elementary school children in sports.
UM Korea will be working in collaboration with Goodwill Store to donate reusable and unused items that are reborn as items for sale by disabled people promoting their employment and profit.
Lastly in Hong Kong, the agency will be running a disability awareness program and signing tutorial with Wheel For Oneness to promote social inclusion and support one another.
Other initiatives in the Asia-Pacific with their respective partner organisations include in the countries of Australia (Clean Up Australia), India (RPlanet), Indonesia (Duitin and KitaBisa) Malaysia (Autism Cafe Project), Philippines (Masungi Georeserve), Singapore (Waterways Watch Society), and Thailand (The Mirror Foundation).
The annual activity was based on the company initiative ‘Better World, Impact Day’, launched in 2016. This shows the agency’s commitment to community and care and its employees’ commitment to driving a better workplace, work product and world for the communities in which they live and serve.
Kasper Aakerlund, president in APAC at UM, commented, “Impact Day has long been my favourite UM initiative, and I never cease to be humbled by the collective spirit and power of our people across the Asia Pacific region and the entire globe, united as a force for good within the communities that we live, work and serve.”
Aakerlund continues, “Being able to once again bring Impact Day to life in person and work together as a team with grass roots interaction within our communities and local environment is both energising and inspiring. I am incredibly proud of what our people have achieved.”
Meanwhile, Erik Guzman, vice president for global operations and head of UM Better World, said, “We are thrilled to be boots on-the-ground again, coming together for our meaningful day of service. As we look to the future in a post-pandemic world, this year’s activities will be focused on bettering our communities through the lenses of equity, sustainability and wellness – critical issues facing our global community today. At UM, striving for a better world is part of our DNA, and we are honoured to work with our partners across the globe to drive real impact.”
