Since its inception, Health Advances has devoted one day per quarter for our entire staff to participate in community service. Healthcare is a career path that attracts those with a high level of compassion for others. These volunteer days offer a wonderful opportunity to give of our time and energy in a very different manner than our usual daily activities. We encourage you to learn more about some of the organizations with which we have worked.

American Cancer Society Daffodil Days: From assembling boxes to quality control, the Health Advances team packaged over one million daffodils, which were then delivered throughout Massachusetts. Boston, MA
	The Greater Boston Food Bank: Over the last several years, our staff has sorted and packed hundreds of thousands of pounds of food for the largest hunger-relief organization in New England. Boston, MA
Habitat for Humanity National Women’s Build Week: Health Advances librarian Tara Breton joined a team of volunteers to build a wheelchair ramp and deck for a wheelchair bound pre-teen whose single mom is struggling to take care of her disabled daughter as well as two other children. Westminster, MA
	BUILD Youth Business Plan Competition: Vice President Kimberly Howland was honored to join a panel of prestigious business leaders to judge the 2009 BUILD Youth Business Plan Competition. Students learn the fundamentals of business management in order to prepare for the BPC. Oakland, CA
Power Lunch: Each week, several Health Advances volunteers join other local company volunteers at a local elementary school during the lunch hour for one-on-one reading aloud. The signature program of the national literacy organization Everybody Wins!, Power Lunch is a lunchtime reading and mentoring program proven to improve reading skills and attitudes toward reading. Waltham, MA
	Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) Kids Ride: Health Advances volunteers helped organize this event, as well as helping with registration and course spotting in the kids version of this annual fund raising event for the Jimmy Fund. Natick, MA
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Gift Wrapping: A number of Health Advances volunteers helped with gift wrapping at a local mall during the holiday season. This fundraiser raises money for diabetes research. Burlington, MA
	United We Run: San Francisco colleagues and mascot Murphy ran the 5K event commemorating family, friends and victims of 9/11. Proceeds benefit the Fred Gabler Helping Hand Camp Fund which sends underprivileged children to summer camp. San Francisco, CA
Bikes Not Bombs (BNB): Health Advances staff help with bike recycling and community empowerment for this organization operating in lower income neighborhoods of Boston and in the nations of the Global South. Boston, MA
	The Wish Project: Health Advances volunteers sorted and organized donated clothing for distribution to needy families in the greater Lowell and Boston areas. Lowell, MA