One of COPT's Vision 2025 goals is
"to be a leading contributor in improving the fabric of the communities where we live, work and serve". One way in which we strive to achieve that goal is by encouraging and supporting our employees' volunteer efforts.
In addition to the monetary contributions COPT makes as a company to various charitable organizations throughout the year, COPT employees devote their personal time and dollars to support a number of organizations, including community service, conservation, youth, health service, arts, religious, and educational organizations. They also are involved in a number of industry, trade and professional organizations.
Here are just a few of our contributions to our communities:
March of Dimes March for Babies
COPT employees and their friends and family members participated in the 2009 March of Dimes Greater Baltimore March for Babies in May 2009 at Camden Yards. Forty-nine people participated and TEAM COPT raised $5,140 that supports lifesaving research, services, education and advocacy that helps babies get a healthy start.
Race for the Cure Funds raised by Susan G. Komen's Maryland Race for the Cure fund a comprehensive range of breast health services in Maryland as well as national research where the cures for breast cancer will be found. This year TEAM COPT raised more than $9,000 to help find a cure.
COPT Cares Fridays -- Jeans for a Cause
In a relatively new program, COPT employees have an opportunity, on a monthly basis, to wear jeans on the last Friday of the month by making a minimum contribution to a selected charity. Employees nominate charities to receive the donations and the company matches the employee contributions, up to a maximum of $1,000 per organization. Organizations which have benefited from COPT Cares Fridays include Hospice of Howard County, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, Damascus House, American Legion Auxiliary--National President's Scholarship, Partners in Care, American Red Cross, Central Union Mission and others.
Day of Service
Putting our money where our mouth is, COPT added a new benefit for all benefits-eligible employees, whereby employees may take up to eight hours of paid time to participate in volunteer and charitable activities.
In 2009, 168 COPT employees used their eight paid Day of Service hours to improve the lives of others. That's 1,344 hours of time spent reaching out and helping others in our communities. Through the program, employees have contributed to House of Ruth, Sarah's House, Cylburn Arboretum, Toys for Tots, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and numerous other organizations.
United Way Campaign
Since 2001, COPT has raised over $340,000 for the United Way of Central Maryland. Donations are allocated to community impact partners that focus on providing basic needs to the less fortunate, preparing our children to begin learning and stay in school, and helping to stop the domestic violence cycle. Each year, an average of 50% of our employees donate $365 per year to the United Way. In 2008, the United Way of Central Maryland presented COPT with its "Silver" award for excellence in employee participation and the "Community Impact Circle" award for donating at least 75% of our funds to local charities. During 2009’s one-month campaign, COPT employees pledged more than $100,000 (includng company matches of first time donor contributions) at a 65% participation rate.
COPT Cancer Awareness Month
Initiated by a group of employees, COPT Cancer Awareness Month (October) was conceived to raise awareness about the risks and symptoms of common and devastating cancers, as well as to raise money. This October, COPT employees contributed a total $6,065 to six beneficiary organizations. The initiative has raised over $16,000 over the past three years, all of which supports new research and education to prevent, and hopefully cure, cancer.
NAIOP Maryland Community Service Project
Each year, a number of COPT employees join other commercial real estate professionals in a community service project for NAIOP-Maryland. Volunteers spent the day building in the neighborhood of 75 picnic tables which are given to a selected department of parks and recreation each year.
Grassroots Howard County
When Grassroots of Howard County, a crisis intervention center, moved into their new space in May, COPT contributed all of the office furniture, built-ins and countertops, which it salvaged from vacating tenant spaces. COPT also assisted Grassroots' staff in obtaining substantial discounts for carpeting, flooring and installation. Their 25,000 square foot facility contains office space as well as residential spaces for 50 homeless people
Daffodil Days
Daffodil Days is an annual program hosted by the American Cancer Society to raise money for the fight against cancer by selling daffodils. This year, COPT purchased 200 bunches of daffodils and the White Marsh team hand-delivered them to each of our White Marsh tenants. The COPT team binds the daffodils in tissue paper and inserts our Daffodil Days tent card with an inspiring quote and sentiment of appreciation for our tenants.
