Throughout the years, NESN has made a concerted effort in corporate citizenship, looking to help local communities and charitable efforts with its time and resources. Through the NESN Connects program, recently highlighted by Multichannel News, NESN has extended its reach far into the community and among its many members.
Last weekend was part of that mission, as a variety of NESN employees joined in a Wiffle ball tournament, with benefits going to the Franciscan Hospital for Children and Travis Roy Foundation. More than 20 employees volunteered at the event, held at The "Wake" Field" behind the Franciscan Hospital in Brighton, Mass. NESN's volunteers helped the hospital and foundation's goal of coming alongside people dealing with spinal cord injuries, supporting their families and working toward a cure.
"Charitable endeavors are so important," NESN President and CEO Sean McGrail told multichannel.com in a recent interview about NESN Connects efforts. "Volunteerism is [a] critical part of what NESN is."
McGrail noted how NESN encourages volunteering, from the three paid service days each employee gets per year to the core values statement that describes NESN's charitable mission: "We are responsible, on a corporate and personal level, to promote the general well-being of the New England region. Through our physical, financial and promotional contributions, we are able to positively impact people's lives and build stronger bonds throughout the community."
"Each year, you'll find our network and employees reaching out, working in neighboring communities," McGrail said.
Employees contributed about 1,000 hours of service in 2011 to groups including Camp Sunshine, Greater Boston Food Bank, Home for Little Wanderers, Perkins Home for the Blind and the Pine Street Inn for the homeless, McGrail told multichannel.com. That's on top of what NESN regularly does with the Jimmy Fund, the Brain Injury Center at Children's Hospital in Boston, and the charities associated with the Bruins and the Red Sox.
