Volunteer Committee

PASADENA

The Pasadena office launched the annual “Man of Movember” mustache-growing campaign to raise awareness about men’s health. During the “Mogrowing” month, male colleagues that wish to participate begin by having clean-shaven mustaches and then growing them throughout the campaign. On the final day, they will send in ‘before and after’ photos to be judged by colleagues. The winner will be selected as “Mr. Movember 2021.”

On Wednesday, October 27th, we will be assembling hygiene kits with toiletries for the Downtown Women’s Center – an organization headquartered in the Skid Row section of Los Angeles that is actively engaging with women in the community to bring an end to homelessness for women. This is the only organization of its kind that particularly support and provides comprehensive services for women.

As we have done over the past six years, we will partner with Door of Hope for their annual “Angel Tree/Secret Santa” event for the holidays. This year, we will be fulfilling the wish lists of 12 families (40 family members) by giving them all the presents they have requested for the holidays.

In addition, we will also be adopting at least one individual family selected from the community and will fill their wish lists for gifts and food.

WOODLAND HILLS

Woodland Hills plans to participate in a Toy Drive this December. The Woodland Hills office will also donate to the Family Rescue Center, an organization in the San Fernando Valley that supports families in need with food, clothing, and their annual ‘Back to School’ backpack drive.

WEST LA

KROST participated in St. Vincent de Paul Toiletries Drive for the non-accompanied immigrant children in Long Beach waiting for placement. KROST generosity helped the children detained in Long Beach. KROST has joined the Alzheimer’s Organization Accounting Industry Leadership Council. We are the very first firm headquartered in the West Coast. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide. It is a 2-mile walk full of flowers, carried by someone dedicated to fighting to end Alzheimer’s. Every dollar we donate helps the Alzheimer’s Association provide care and support to those facing Alzheimer’s and all other dementia and advance critical research. The “Walk to End” is headed by the Volunteer Committee team in the West LA Office.

There are two events being organized for KROST Family and Friends: Long Beach Walk, held on October 23rd, and Los Angeles Walk which will be at LA Zoo on November 6th.

KROST Family and Friends are already more than 1/5 towards our goal. The firm will match up to $5,000 for any donations received to have an even greater impact.

NY OFFICE

The New York City office plans to collect coats for distribution to families in need in preparation for the holiday season. Due to the impact of the pandemic, the need for warm clothing will be greater than ever.

Additionally, the New York office plans to participate in a blood or platelet donation at a local hospital.

Lastly, the New York office plans to contribute time and money to personal charities, including Project Linus, Reach Out and Read, and Meals on Wheels.

ATLANTA

The Atlanta office went to the City of Refuge facility and performed community service for the less fortunate, including refinishing floors, painting walls, and moving furniture. We also donated money to the facility. The City of Refuge supports the homeless and single-parent mothers with shelter, food, and a place to learn how to get into the workforce.

The Fulton County School System’s Thanksgiving is a cause we have supported for years now. We have donated various items to help the kids and families of these school systems obtain items they need at home and for school. We also support the Fulton County School System during the Christmas season. We plan to donate gift cards so the kids and families can have an unforgettable Christmas.

TEXAS

The Texas team participated in 6 Stones Operation Back 2 School earlier this summer. The event is a school supply drive put on by 6Stones. Our office adopted a classroom and provided school supplies for the students.

At the end-of-busy season, the office participated in 6stones Annual CPR Fall Blitz. The team from the Dallas office went to a house in Euless and spent the day painting the exterior and putting up a fence in the backyard. The Texas team will also participate in 6Stones Night of Hope, a holiday food and toy drive taking place in December.

The office has also reached out to a community family and will be providing a Thanksgiving basket for a family in the community. This is through Bill Taylor’s association with the North Texas/Tarant County Chapter of the Big Brother-Big Sisters organization. It is possible that the office will adopt the same family for Christmas.

CHICAGO

The Chicago office is exploring three options for their Holiday efforts. One option is volunteering at ReStore for Habitat for Humanity, another is Marillac St. Vincent Family Services, and the third option is the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation.

OPERATION GRATITUDE

During November and December, KBKG/KROST employees will have the opportunity to use company volunteer time. Please join us as we both honor and say thank you to those who have served in the United States military as we make paracord bracelets and write thank you letters, and coloring pages. Our efforts will benefit Operation Gratitude, who will include these items in their care packages and first responder kits reaching not only military but also first responders and front-line workers. We have in-person and virtual sessions scheduled for Veteran’s Day, Thursday 11/11, and Tuesday 12/02. For the ongoing writing of “Thank You’s,” the baskets of blank cards will be available for you to select cards in California offices through middle December.

IN OCTOBER, WE WEAR PINK

On Wednesday, October 20th, the Pasadena office launched the firm-wide Pink Day event to benefit breast cancer research and support. We support campaigns with the American Cancer Society, as well as the Susan G. Komen organization. This year, an anonymous donor has issued a challenge of $500.00 for the Komen campaign.

Members of the Volunteer Committee –

Greg Kniss Laura Diallo, Chair Jesus Alfaro (HQ) - Secretary Kyle Ernsberger (Chicago) Paul McVoy (NY) Ryan VanderVelden (Texas) Chad Niehaus (ATL) Cheyenne Gonzalez (HQ) Alexis McClellan (NY) Khaleel Taylor (ATL) Marissa Burriss (WH) Natalie Tagle (WH) Juana Lopez (WH, Alternate) Elvira Frencillo (West LA) Briant Garcia (West LA) Dante Dobson (NY) Alexi Feller (HQ) Natalia Perez (Chicago) Jeffrey Nguyen (West LA) Stephanie Obcamp (WH) Maria Ortiz - in 2022 (NY) Medik Grigorian - in 2022 (HQ)