Wednesday, September 12, 2007: A Unique Approach to Corporate Charity
In the 10 years since Anthony Lacavera founded Globalive Communications Corp., charitable giving has always been a priority. But when it came time to move his growing Toronto-based telecom company to new headquarters in the financial district, he spotted an opportunity to do more than simply continue cutting cheques. On a vacant 2,500-square-foot terrace around the top floor office, Lacavera built a chic patio with a full A/V system, huge stainless steel barbecue and plenty of canopied benches and umbrella-sheltered tables — all for the purpose of hosting events in support of local charities.
The project is part of the Shamba Foundation, Globalive's recently created philanthropic arm. Lacavera based it on urbanizing the concept of shambas — modest, family-supporting plantations, from the Swahili word for farm. "I always thought it was hard for people to make charity part of their everyday life, and that's the theme here," he says. "We can mobilize 125 employees to make a difference."
On the steamy last night of July, Lacavera — with the help of dozens of employee volunteers — celebrated the official launch of the foundation and its newly renovated home. All proceeds from sales of drinks and $100 admission tickets went to the evening's featured charity, Little Geeks, which collects, refurbishes and redistributes donated computers to underprivileged kids in the GTA."We were a bit taken aback," says Little Geeks founder and tech journalist Andy Walker. "Globalive wanted to give us space and drinks and food, and all we had to do was sell a few tickets and show up. It was beautiful." Before the event, Little Geeks had less than $800 in the bank; they walked away with more than $10,000, not to mention invaluable new contacts throughout the business community and a ton of publicity. And that's much more than a mere cheque could ever offer.
