Company Holiday Celebrations: Party with a Purpose

By: Zach McCue, Citizen Action Coordinator

This season, Clean Ocean Action is offering tips on how to green your holiday. Here is the tenth of twelve in COA's '12 Days of Green Giving' series.

Plymouth Rock Assurance at
Seaside Sunset 2013

Every year, Clean Ocean Action holds our annual fundraiser, the Seaside Sunset.  COA welcomes supporters, volunteers, partners, and of course corporate sponsors to attend the event.  Year after year COA is thrilled to see more companies helping to sponsor the event and turn the night into a team building event.  Most notably, Plymouth Rock Assurance has supported Seaside Sunset the last few years and treated their staff to a night of drinks and dancing to benefit ocean protection. With great food, music, and giveaways, many companies have the chance to support Clean Ocean Action while having a great time out of the office.

Photo Credit: Google Images

Many non-profit or charity organizations have holiday functions that tie a fundraiser to the holiday season.  It may be too late for this year, but for next year think about encouraging your office to have their holiday outing supporting a local charity or non-profit.  Not only will having an office outing at a fundraising event relieve your office manager of the logistics and cost of hosting your own party, it will also set an example of service and giving to employees and their families.  Year after year the relationship between your office and the organization (and your respective staff) will grow, making your annual company outing just like home at the holidays.

Another fun way to create a more environmentally-friendly workplace is to consider greening your company birthday and holiday celebrations.  At Clean Ocean Action, instead of exchanging gifts for staff birthdays or a “Secret Santa” for the holidays, we all contribute a modest amount of money to donate to another nonprofit organization.  Each staff member writes a favorite nonprofit on a slip of paper and we draw the winner from a hat.  COA makes a donation in honor of our 'crew' to that organization.

Whether it’s a cocktail reception, green gift exchange, or open bar with live music, consider a charity fundraiser during holidays to party with a purpose with your company!

Corporations Can Join COA's Efforts to Improve the Marine Environment

Your corporate team can become part of Clean Ocean Action’s efforts to protect and improve the marine environment with a range of
team-building programs.

Corporate Beach Sweep

Team from Credit Suisse enjoys a day of team-building at a COA Corporate Beach Sweep on Sandy Hook.  

A modification of COA’s signature education program, Corporate Beach Sweeps is the perfect team-building event that provides a day of service, learning, and fun in the sun at the shore.

Corporate teams split into groups, collect and remove debris, and record findings to support pollution prevention initiatives and legislation. The Sweep is professionally staffed and includes an informative presentation on ocean pollution and solutions.

Corporate Scavenger Hunt

Corporate Beach Sweeps Scavenger Hunt is a fun way for businesses to make a difference!

COA’s scavenger hunt is a great way to bring your team together for service. COA splits your group into teams and sets them up for a day of challenge and service in a variety of ways. Teams earn points for cleaning up the most debris on the beach, finding answers to questions we have set up, and use teamwork to create sculptures and arrangements with the beach debris. After a fun morning on the beach the winning team receives a prize! The scavenger hunt is also professionally staffed and includes an informative presentation on ocean pollution and solutions.

Overview of Corporate Programs

• Corporate Programs run through October 2013
• All programs are held at Sandy Hook, Gateway National Recreation Area. Specific sites are selected based on program and needs.
• Programs run from 9:00 am—12:30 pm
• 15 person minimum
• Day/program can be tailored to fit specific needs of participants

Youcan learn more about our Corporate Beach Sweeps and Scavenger Hunt here

Download the Application here