VideoAmp Gives Back
A few years ago, VideoAmp was a small company with about 17 employees. We quickly realized that one thing we all had in common was a commitment to giving back. We started off small and as VideoAmp grew, so did our efforts. What was once a common interest eventually turned into the VideoAmp Gives Back program. Since its inception, we have participated in countless events from volunteering with the Salvation Army to building lunch kits or hygiene packs for those in need.
VideoAmp takes great pride in helping employees improve their overall wellness and reach their full potential. My coworkers and I are so fortunate to live and work in a community that enables us to grow and thrive. Being surrounded by such amazing support can make it easy to forget that there are so many people that aren’t as fortunate. And that’s why we give back!
What keeps me motivated and volunteering is knowing that a little goes a long way and can spread like wildfire. Every little bit counts and only gets us closer to a happier, more accepting community, country, and world. Giving back is really just being a responsible member of your community. It’s inextricably linked to being a part of something larger than oneself, than one’s family, than one’s company. This sentiment is shared throughout the company and reinforced by our Co-Founder and CEO Ross McCray. As Ross puts it, “We cannot rest on our laurels and forget what is truly most important.”
Here’s a look at just a few of the amazing initiatives our employees have put their hearts into:
Lunch Making Event, Annual
As a team, we build lunch kits and personally walk them down to the Santa Monica pier and throughout Venice to hand them out to those in need. We also ensure their pets get something too!
Bike Assembly, December 2018
Every child should have their dreams come true. We wanted to make that happen. We partnered with a LA shelter to provide bikes for kids to have the best holiday possible.
Holiday Toy Drive, December 2018
We spread holiday cheer to a local battered women and children shelter. We sent new toys and put smiles on many faces.
“I’m proud to work for a company that cares as much for the community as it does its employees. Any chance VideoAmp has to give back to the community, it shows up in full force. It’s a great phenomenon to be a part of.” – Melissa Drake, Senior Manager, Workplace Experience
Philip Folsom and the Wolves from APEX, Sep 2019
We hosted Philip Folsom and the wolves from the APEX Protection Project at our VideoAmp headquarters and made a donation to the protection project.
Special Needs School Donation, October 2019
On October 25, 2019, we donated to a school for Autism. Our donation went towards items for their quiet room including calming lights, bean bags and more. Here is one of the kids in front of a sensory water tube that some of the funding went towards.
Hygiene Kits, May 2019
On May 9th we assembled hygiene kits to donate to a local homeless shelter. VideoAmp chose to donate to https://www.thepeopleconcern.org/. The kits included things that we all use every day including toothpaste, a toothbrush, a washcloth, soap, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, razor, and a comb.
Project Happy Hearts, May 2019
May 2019 we hosted heart screenings for our employees with Project Happy Hearts. Heart screenings save lives and help to reduce the chances of getting heart disease. While Vampers got screens they also wrote postcards to children in the hospital suffering from heart-related diseases.
HOLA, July 2019
Hearts of Los Angeles came to VideoAmp on July 12th, 2019. Kids from Los Angeles ages 13 – 18 years old got to experience what it was like to work at a tech company.
Kids Giving to Kids, December 2019
We hosted sixty-five 2nd graders from Queen Anne Elementary School at VideoAmp HQ. Our team wrapped gifts for the kids, which they picked out to give to a classmate. The goal was to learn how to share, be grateful and realize the best part of the holidays is the act of giving.
Walk With Sally, December 2019
We assembled winter care kits to donate to those in need during the holiday season. We partnered with Walk With Sally, an organization that supports families that are suffering through the trauma of a cancer diagnosis and are struggling financially.
“The holidays can be an extra stressful time for families in our community who are going through cancer. By shopping for, wrapping, and delivering gifts to these families for the holidays, VideoAmp is able to lighten their load financially and give them more time to spend together.” – Brian Ejsmont, VP, Product Management
Being a people-first organization is one of our key pillars at VideoAmp, and our goal is to maintain those values both in and outside of the office. We already have some incredible things scheduled for this year including a blood drive with UCLA Hospital, a toy drive for kids and events with The Red Cross and local Boys & Girls Clubs. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to give back to our community and I look forward to continuing to grow our ‘Gives Back’ program with VideoAmp.
