FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WATERLOO REGION – October 16, 2017– Capacity Canada is partnering with Alchemy Systems and Manulife at its 2017 CreateAthon to provide 18 non-profit organizations across Canada with free design-and-marketing/rebranding expertise in a 24-hour creative ‘blitz’ beginning the morning of Thursday, Oct. 19.
CreateAthon, which takes place at Alchemy’s Guelph office, will see at least 18 teams of graphic design and public relations students partnering with the design firm’s art directors and account managers, along with Manulife marketing professionals and copywriters, to create a variety of projects for these non-profits. These will be based on what the organizations need and may include anything from a new ad campaign to a redesigned website.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for these non-profits to obtain thousands of dollars worth of pro-bono work which they otherwise would not be able to afford,” said Cathy Brothers, chief executive officer of Capacity Canada. “As a charity ourselves we know how costly that can be, especially when non-profits strive to focus on doing great work in their communities.”
Last year, CreateAthon focused on assisting 12 organizations from the Fort McMurray area get back on their feet following a devastating wildfire. Matt Miller, executive-in-residence at Capacity Canada and one of the event’s organizers for the past seven years, estimates these groups received about $140,000 worth of free professional work. He expects that figure will be higher at this year’s event when the creative teams unveil their finished projects the morning of Friday, Oct. 20 to their non-profit clients (in person and via Skype).
“CreateAthon is not only a great way to help these non-profits, but it’s a wonderful learning experience for these students because it gives them the chance to work as a team and on a tight deadline which is something they will face in the workforce,” said Miller.
Contact:
Cathy Brothers, CEO
Capacity Canada
[email protected]
Office: 519-513-2606 x1
Mobile: 226-808-7220
The non-profits selected for CreateAthon 2017:
Canadian MPS Society, Vancouver, BC
Chicopee Ski Club, Kitchener, ON
Children’s International Learning Centre, Hamilton, ON
Elmira District Community Living: Avenues Day Program, Elmira, ON
HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre, Kitchener, ON
JobStart, Toronto, ON
Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre, Waterloo, ON
Kitchener-Waterloo Musical Productions, Kitchener, ON
Literacy Nova Scotia, Truro, NS
Marillac Place, Kitchener, ON
Mental Health Without Borders, Kitchener, ON
Monica Place, Waterloo, ON
Nutrition for Learning, Ayr, ON
Stratford Perth Community Foundation, Stratford, ON
Stratford Perth Residential Hospice, Stratford, ON
United Way Waterloo Region Communities, Waterloo, ON
Waterloo Potters Workshop, Waterloo, ON
YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo, Kitchener, ON
Capacity Canada is a national registered charity that brings together the ideas, people and resources that fuel social innovation. Our vision is to change lives through courageous community organizations. We are accomplishing this by providing non-profit leaders new resources and professional support that enhances leadership skills, stimulates cross-sector collaboration, promotes knowledge sharing, and encourages social innovation.
