By Charlie Laughtland
BDA blog editor

This past week BDA employees took part in the first annual BDA Day of Difference. Two months ago, more than 400 employees were split into eight teams and were given 60 days to identify a charitable organization and how they could most help that charity.

The efforts culminated on Thursday, July 21 when the company spent the afternoon onsite at locations across the Puget Sound region. In combined efforts, a total of nearly 3,000 man hours and nearly $300,000 in cash and in-kind donations went to make a difference for the Union Gospel Mission, Child’s Play, Seattle Children’s Hospital, the American Red Cross, the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, Marra Farms, the Little Red Schoolhouse and Seattle Children’s Home.

Charity projects ranged from food and toy drives, serving meals, construction and gardening works, hosting nutritional and fitness camps for Seattle youth, and helping relief centers prepare for emergencies. One project in particular provided Seattle Children’s Hospital with the largest toy donation by a single company in the hospital’s 113-year history.

It was an amazing day that left an indelible mark on us at BDA. We made a real and tangible impact on families in the neighborhoods we live in, and with that comes a great sense of pride.