Local Employers Use BVU Volunteer Event to Hook Interns to Cleveland

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Jul 12, 2011, 12:32 ET

CLEVELAND, July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 300 young professionals from 26 local businesses and organizations will volunteer at nonprofits during BVU's "Summer of Service" event on July 20, 2011. These volunteers will plant urban gardens, organize medical donations for humanitarian aid shipments, paint shelters, interact with seniors and much more at 16 local nonprofits.

Businesses are using the "Summer of Service" event to communicate the importance of corporate commitment to community volunteering and help tie these young professionals to Cleveland. According to Kaitlin Maurer, Public Relations Specialist at Hyland, "Our interns are people we hope to bring into the organization, and it is important that they understand our values and want to give back."

Today's young professionals are highly motivated to make a difference in their community. Megan Klingshirn, intern at Hyland Software and participant in the "Summer of Service" event, explains that "people find a passion and want to volunteer to make a difference." Volunteering has been a part of Megan's life beginning at an early age raking leaves for neighbors, participating in activities with her church and college and now in her career.

Many young professionals are not only looking for a job, but an opportunity to make a positive change in the community. The 2011 Deloitte Volunteer IMPACT Survey reveals "over 60% of young professionals factor a company's commitment to the community in making a choice between similar jobs." Megan loves to make an impact, especially in Cleveland where people have a deep pride for the community. Hyland's commitment to the community and organizational values are attractive to her as a potential employee.

Through the Summer of Service, summer interns or new hires at local businesses will help nonprofits meet critical community needs and feel more connected and inspired about their Cleveland experience. "Summer of Service is a WIN WIN for Cleveland. Volunteering allows young professionals to help meet critical nonprofit needs and connect with Cleveland in a meaningful way. This connection plants a seed in our community today in hopes that it will take root in the future," explains Roseanne Deucher, Director of the Volunteer Center at BVU.

BVU's mission is to link businesses and nonprofits to foster excellence in the nonprofit sector. Since 1993, BVU has connected 228 businesses to 439 nonprofits to complete over 1,600 service projects.

BVU's 2011 Summer of Service event is coordinated in partnership with Case Western Reserve University Center for Civic Engagement & Learning, The Cleveland Foundation, Cleveland Hillel Foundation, Cleveland Leadership Center: iCleveland, CSU Urban Affairs, Entrepreneurs EDGE, LaunchHouse, NOCHE, Office of the Cuyahoga County Executive, Ohio Homecoming, Policy Matters, and Summer on the Cuyahoga.

For more information, visit www.businessvolunteers.org or contact: Nick Borchers, The Volunteer Center at BVU, 216-736-7711, [email protected].

Available Upon Request: Interviews with young professionals involved in the Summer of Service and video/interview opportunities during the Summer of Service.

About BVU
BVU engages businesses, employers and members of the community-at-large in productive and rewarding leadership and volunteer activities. By leveraging their involvement, BVU strengthens the leadership and expands the capacity of hundreds of nonprofits, while enabling businesses and employers to build strategic, powerful and enduring relationships with the community. Visit www.businessvolunteers.org for more information.

Participating Employers/Community Organizations:
Baker Hostetler LLP
Case Western Reserve University Center for Civic Engagement & Learning
Cleveland Foundation
Cleveland Leadership Center: iCleveland
Cleveland State University Urban Affairs
Eaton Corporation
Entrepreneurs EDGE
Ernst & Young LLP
Forest City Enterprises
Hillel Foundation
Hyland Software
The Lubrizol Corporation
MAI Wealth Advisors
Medical Mutual of Ohio
NOCHE
Office of the Cuyahoga County Executive
Oswald Companies
PNC Bank
Policy Matters
PolyOne Corporation
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
RPM Building Solutions Group
The Sherwin Williams Company
Skoda Minotti
Summer on the Cuyahoga
US Bank

Summer of Service Volunteers will be Completing Projects with the Following Nonprofits:
The Children's Museum of Cleveland
The City Mission
Cleveland Foodbank
Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization
Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity
Hitchcock Center for Women, Inc.
Judson at University Circle
Malachi House
May Dugan Center
MedWish International
The MetroHealth System
ORCA House, Inc.
Shoes and Clothes for Kids
Slavic Village Development
University Settlement, Inc.