At NewMark Merrill Companies, we are committed to a culture of giving back, believing that we rise by lifting others. In that spirit, we enthusiastically support dozens of organizations and outreach programs through volunteering and financial contributions.
A few recent and rewarding experiences:
The Gift of Community
The NewMark Merrill team spent an afternoon at Inglewood High School in Inglewood, California, hosting a one-of-a-kind holiday party. Our guests of honor were more than 300 four- to eight-year-old students from 11 different elementary schools in the Inglewood Unified School District (USD).
The children enjoyed cookie decorating, crafts, games, dancing, music and gifts. However, the day’s highlight was an individual visit with each student from “Sandy” Claus—a.k.a NewMark Merrill President and CEO Sandy Sigal.
Camp Bob Waldorf
Getting Camp Ready
Each year more than 1200 youth from the Greater Los Angeles area participate in one of Camp Bob Waldorf’s summer or weekend camp programs. Activities and experiences are grounded in four important values – Community, Inclusion, Identity, and Respect – which campers put into practice each day while they learn new skills, develop their interests and make lasting memories. NewMark Merrill staff collaborated to ready the campgrounds for incoming campers. Their efforts encompassed tasks like refurbishing the paintball course, landscaping, stocking and organizing supplies for the Young Ladies Station, as well as assembling Welcome Bags and setting up the Welcome Sign. Upon completing these tasks, the team enjoyed participating in various camper activities such as rock climbing, ropes courses, and arts and crafts sessions.
Urban Scholar Academy
Thanksgiving for Inner City School Kids
Over 20 Newmark Merrill employees and family members arrived at Crenshaw Imperial Plaza on a Saturday morning to pass out one-hundred $100 gift cards and gift bags to the families of Urban Scholar Academy. USA is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of urban youth through academic assistance and community service opportunities. This year, instead of a drive-thru, we were able to meet and chat with each family in-person and share conversation over coffee and donuts.
Wave of Kindness
Appreciation for Local Heroes
Developed in response to the overwhelming demands during the pandemic, NewMark Merrill properties created Waves of Kindness and has conducted more than 10 Waves to date, benefitting over 13,000 people. Beneficiaries of this program include teachers, seniors, first responders, food banks, members of the community experiencing food insecurities and homeless shelters.
The Giving Spirit
Unhoused Survival Bags
The Giving Spirit provides aid to vulnerable and fragile lives by assembling and personally distributing survival kits to the children, women and families living on the streets of Los Angeles. NewMark Merrill provides support with an annual kit assembly event at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, CA. Volunteer NMC employees fill 400 backpacks with 60-70 items focused on health, hydration, hygiene, nutrition and weather protection.
Veterans Hospital
Annual Giving Event for Homeless Vets
NewMark Merrill provided a 2019 holiday celebration for local vets with gift bags, entertainment, dozens of prizes, and meals for 300 at the Los Angeles Veterans Hospital. Nearly 80 NMC employees volunteered to decorate the dormitory gathering spaces for Christmas and later mingled with the vets, listening to the inspiring and touching stories they told of rebuilding their lives.
Other organizations we’ve benefited:
Some additional organizations NMC has benefited through corporate and property level efforts include:
- Bag of Hope Project – Christmas for Underserved Families
- Homeless Support – Supplying Converted Recreation Centers
- Boys and Girls Clubs
- Holiday Season Family Sponsoring
- Hope of the Valley Sock and Underwear Drive
- Jewish Big Brothers & Big Sisters
- Toys for Tots
- Single Mothers Outreach of Santa Clarita