The KLR Making an Impact team is devoted to helping our communities grow and succeed whenever we are able. While we’ve had to think creatively amid the pandemic, that hasn’t stopped us from helping our communities any way we can. We’re so glad we were able to make a small impact on our communities through three recent efforts across our New England offices—a book drive, a food drive and volunteering at a local women’s shelter.

Learn more about what we’ve been up to lately.

A book is a gift you can open again and again

Early access to books is critical to a child’s social and intellectual development. Unfortunately, many children, including those in our community, do not have proper access to adequate reading materials.

In the midst of a crazy tax season, we were happy to join our client, United Way of Rhode Island, for their 2021 Children’s Book Drive! The drive was a collaborative effort between UWRI, Women United and Books are Wings, to help families foster a love of reading and build their own home libraries.

We were able to collect nearly 100 brand new children’s books for our local community.

As Partner Lauren Amaral says, “Since we had to spend the last year apart, it was wonderful to see people come together for such a great cause.”

One donation can make a difference

Food drives look a little different in 2021, but that didn’t stop our Newport team from supporting the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center annual Ton of Love Food Drive.

The MLK Center is a central service provider for at-risk individuals, families and seniors. The center fights hunger, promotes health, educates young and school-aged kids, supports families and engages seniors.

The Newport team came together to raise awareness for the center through monetary donations directly through the organization’s website.

As Administrative Supervisor Drew Magee mentions, “I knew the food drive was going to be a challenge this year. We were going to have to get creative and think differently. Even though we were not physically together, it felt great to come together as a company to provide food to those in need.”

When people support each other, incredible things happen

Many women experience trauma, abuse, and homelessness every day, right here in our local communities.

The Women’s Lunch Place, located in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay, serves as both a daytime shelter and supportive community for women facing these and other circumstances. The guests that count on the vast services of WLP experienced even more hurdles over the last year due to the city’s mandatory capacity restrictions and domino effect of pandemic closures. Our KLR Boston and Waltham offices joined forces to get involved at a safe distance. Involvement included participation in an impactful Mother’s Day card drive, a variety of in-kind donations and volunteering time.

Tax Supervisor, Madison Litwin, has been volunteering with WLP since 2016, starting on the Young Professional’s Board as secretary, transitioning to treasurer, and now serving as co-president.

As she reflects, “Anything from a stocked toiletry pantry to laundry to legal services, the WLP is a one-of-a-kind organization that takes each individual in with open arms. Through my experience over the years, I continue to be genuinely awed by the staff and volunteers that make WLP such a special place.”

This support meant even more during the pandemic.

As Madison remarks, “Despite being closed for the pandemic, the staff adapted immediately turning hot meals into to-go packages in order for guests to obtain a nutritious meal, snacks, masks and even hand-written notes without skipping a beat. Although many of us could not volunteer during traditional in-shelter shifts, being able to help virtually was crucial for the WLP to sustain a new-normal until restrictions were lifted.”

Making an impact, no matter how small, is part of the KLR spirit. We are so glad that despite recent circumstances, we could come together to make a difference in our communities. Making a better tomorrow is up to all of us, and we can’t wait for more opportunities to make positive changes in our communities.