Avison Young announces inaugural Global Day of Giving

 Employees in all of the firm's markets to take part in philanthropic activities

TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Mark Rose, Chair and CEO of Avison Young, the world's fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm, announced today that it will hold its inaugural Global Day of Giving this Thursday, October 9, 2014 in all of the company's markets.

"On October 9, employees in Avison Young's 60 offices in Canada, the U.S. and Europe will dedicate the day to participate in volunteer projects in their respective cities," comments Rose. "As a company, we believe strongly in community development and sustainability. The annual Global Day of Giving will ensure that we continue to back up our words with action."

Avison Young's Global Day of Giving is part of the company's Global Citizenship efforts. Each Avison Young office has chosen its own community volunteer project in consultation with the charity that will receive the assistance.

Rose continues: "While Avison Young offices already contribute to many charitable organizations throughout the year, setting aside a day for all 1,600 professionals to volunteer their time will broaden and greatly strengthen our philanthropic efforts as a company. By holding the Global Day of Giving this year and in the future, we will be able to give back to our communities in small ways that will collectively make a big difference. Furthermore, as we continually endeavor to meet our own and our clients' goals and challenges, we hope that the Global Day of Giving will increase awareness of these community projects, which strive to help people in need and at risk."

Staff activities on October 9 will range from completing small construction projects for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA to riverside clean-up efforts.

"Each project is designed to contribute in some way to economic, social and environmental sustainability," states Earl Webb, Avison Young's President, U.S. Operations, who is based in Chicago. "Additionally, when recruiting, we look for outstanding people who make meaningful contributions to their communities. In many cases, particularly when it comes to the opportunity to become a Principal in our firm, community involvement is a prerequisite."

The following is a list of the charities to which Avison Young employees will be donating their time on October 9: 

"Wherever you go in the world, the dedicated staff and volunteers at community organizations complete unselfish acts on behalf of disadvantaged people every day of the year. But to achieve a better way of life for everyone, it's important that we all contribute somehow to the communities in which we live, work and play," adds Avison Young Principal Robert Gritten, who is based in Vancouver, BC and heads up the firm's philanthropic efforts. "We hope our firm's Global Day of Giving will also encourage others to come together to contribute to a worthy cause."

Going forward, Avison Young's Global Day of Giving will be held annually in all of the firm's markets every October. The philanthropic effort will continually expand as Avison Young opens new offices around the globe.

Avison Young is the world's fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Avison Young is a collaborative, global firm owned and operated by its principals. Founded in 1978, the company comprises 1,600 real estate professionals in 60 offices, providing value-added, client-centric investment sales, leasing, advisory, management, financing and mortgage placement services to owners and occupiers of office, retail, industrial and multi-family properties.

For further information/comment/photos:

• Sherry Quan, Principal, National Director of Communications & Media Relations,  Avison Young: 604.647.5098; cell: 604.726.0959

• Mark Rose, Chair and CEO, Avison Young: 416.673.4028

• Earl Webb, President, U.S. Operations, Avison Young: 312.957.7610

• Robert Gritten, Principal, Avison Young: 604.647.5063

www.avisonyoung.com

Avison Young was a winner of Canada's Best Managed Companies program in 2011 and 2012 and requalified in 2013 to maintain its status as a Best Managed company.

Follow Avison Young on Twitter:
For industry news, press releases and market reports: www.twitter.com/avisonyoung 
For Avison Young listings and deals: www.twitter.com/AYListingsDeals 

Follow Avison Young Bloggers: http://blog.avisonyoung.com

Follow Avison Young on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/avison-young-commercial-real-estate

Follow Avison Young on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/AvisonYoungRE

SOURCE Avison Young Commercial Real Estate (BC)