Members of McGladrey's team at the 2010 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge.

Benefit for local non-profits ties
it all together for McGladrey at Boston

A runner finishes feeling good about herself in an event that this year benefits two local non-profit organizations.

BOSTON, June 1, 2011 — When the 63 members of McGladrey's 2011 team line up for the 28th annual J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge® at Boston Common on Thursday, they will be part of an event that resonates with one of the most cherished values shared by the employees of the 85-year-old company.

"Giving back to and supporting our community is very important to our employees and our business," said Jennifer Grossetti of Marketing-Business Consulting Services for McGladrey.

Thursday's J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge has attracted its 17th consecutive capacity crowd of 12,000, and the participants will be running and walking to benefit two local non-profit organizations that make a difference in Boston.

The Emerald Necklace Conservancy protects and maintains the landscape, waterways and parkways of the Emerald Necklace park system, which features six parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted — the Arnold Arboretum, Back Bay Fens, Franklin Park, Jamaica Pond, Olmsted Park and the Riverway. Horizons for Homeless Children provides homeless children in Massachusetts with nurturing, stimulation, and opportunities for early education and play.

The Corporate Challenge's efforts to reach out to worthy non-profits in Boston such as these two is part of a Series-wide effort in 12 host cities around the world that annually results in more than $600,000 in contributions. It is something that is noted by companies such as McGladrey.

"The support of local organizations is very important to our participation in the Corporate Challenge each year because community involvement and support is important to our employees," said Grossetti.

An indication of that is the McGladrey Foundation. Managed and primarily funded by the company's employees, the foundation raises more than $200,000 each year to support community-based projects and charitable organizations in the New England area.

"We are proud to say that our Foundation is employee supported and managed, which allows us to support charities that are near and dear to our people's hearts," said Grossetti. "The Foundation contributes monetarily to numerous organizations, supports participation in marathons, walks, etc. as well as organizes many events throughout the year for employees to attend.

"Our most recent event was the participation of 22 of our employees in Corporate Volunteer Day where an entire Saturday was spent improving the grounds of one of our local schools here in Charlestown," she added. "The event was a great success and our efforts were much appreciated by those of the local community."

The Boston-area Corporate Volunteer Day was one of more than 100 such activities across the country in the first-ever national Volunteer Day at McGladrey, a leading provider of assurance, tax and consulting services to businesses that was begun in 1926 when Ira B. McGladrey started his own accounting firm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Today, McGladrey has more than 90 offices across the country with more than 7,000 employees, and events like the Corporate Challenge are vital in helping the staff connect with each other.

"Given our growing business, client commitments, and varying schedules, it is sometimes difficult to socialize with our colleagues across other lines of service," Grossetti said. "Through the support of our charitable foundation, social club and firm-sponsored programs, our employees are able to participate in out-of-office events and either connect for the first time or reconnect with others."

A capacity crowd will take part in the 28th J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge.

For a company that recognizes "teamwork is at the core of everything we do," that is no small thing.

"We strive to provide our clients with the best service possible, which includes identifying our clients' needs and being able to provide solutions," said Grossetti. "One of our focuses is to understand what our colleagues do on a daily basis in order to fully assist our clients in being successful. Participating in team events promotes this intercompany knowledge sharing."

Melissa Lupo has been McGladrey's Company Captain since 2006. She heads an effort within the company that includes promoting the race by posting fliers around the office and sending email invitations.

"It's a very popular event that tends to have great turnout, year after year," said Grossetti. "There are almost 500 employees in the Boston office."

In addition to the charitable and team-building aspects of the Corporate Challenge, of course, the event's basic goal of improving health and fitness in the corporate community also is important at McGladrey.

"McGladrey is a strong proponent of having a good work life balance," said Grossetti. "For many of our employees, this includes taking the time to become physically fit and participating in the Corporate Challenge helps accomplish this objective."

It all adds up to the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge in Boston being a great fit for McGladrey, beginning with a chance to participate in an event that gives back to the local community.

"Our business would not be as successful as it is without the opportunities afforded us and the support of our communities," Grossetti says about McGladrey. "Our strong community effort is our chance to give back and potentially provide others with the same tools to succeed."