2010 JAN 30 - (VerticalNews.com) -- GraficaGroup, a full-service, integrated advertising and digital marketing agency based in Chester, N.J., helps organizations annually as part of its commitment to giving back to the community. This past holiday season saw the company provide more than $85,000 worth of pro bono integrated advertising, digital, social media and marketing services to help Delbarton School further build awareness and increase donations for its "Taking Hope on the Road" holiday project.
Started as a social outreach program in 1980, "Taking Hope on the Road" sees students from Delbarton - a private, Catholic boy's high school in Morristown, N.J. - deliver canned goods to women's shelters in Essex and Morris Counties, N.J. They also travel to Magoffin County, Ky., the week before Christmas to deliver toys, canned foods, new and gently used blankets, clothes, shoes, diapers, coats, personal items, consumer goods and other items that have been generously donated by Delbarton families, friends, corporate sponsors and community members.
To boost awareness and help Delbarton School succeed in its goal of assisting the needy, GraficaGroup produced a 50-page booklet, press release, poster, banner ads on NJ.com (resulting in 1.3 million impressions), event listings, and social media initiatives, including a Facebook page (www.takinghopeontheroad.com), a Twitter account, and a YouTube video (www.youtube.com/user/TakingHopeOnTheRoad).
GraficaGroup, which is celebrating its 25th year in business, also partnered with New Jersey radio stations 105.5 WDHA-FM and 1250 WMTR-AM for radio spot commercials and for a WDHA-FM personnel on-site appearance at the school. The radio commercial, produced by GraficaGroup with Delbarton School students providing the voice over talent, promoted the collection drive and remote event.
In addition to the pro bono services, GraficaGroup donated more than 20 bags of clothing, toys, blankets and canned goods to "Taking Hope on the Road."
"Thanks to GraficaGroup's generous support, this was the first year that the school did not run out of toys and blankets, as seven truckloads were driven to Kentucky and more than 10,000 people were provided with goods," said Delbarton's Abbot Giles Hayes, who started the program as a mustard seed project to help students gain an understanding of the complexities of poverty while helping others. "The various integrated advertising and marketing services, radio commercials and remote donation drive with the radio station successfully inspired hundreds of people and families from outside of the Delbarton school system to make donations."
Debra A. Taeschler, president and CEO of GraficaGroup, added, "Taking Hope on the Road is an inspirational program that helps needy families and individuals, while also allowing students, through a hands-on experience, to gain an awareness and empathy for others who are poor through no fault of their own. The entire initiative, as well as the students' hard work and selfless dedication, is very inspiring and we're honored to be able to do our small part to help their compassionate efforts."
