PWW Gives Back, the community service committee at Portland Webworks, is seeking charities and events to support in 2025. PWW Gives Back selects events, drives, and fundraisers that provide opportunities for our team to connect outside the office with the aim of giving back to the community.
“We believe that being active in our communities is essential,” says Tammy Schlesinger, chair of PWW Gives Back committee. “Giving back fosters connection, empathy, and a shared sense of purpose, all of which make us stronger as a team.”
Seeking charities to support
PWW Gives Back supports four primary events a year, ideally one per season. After a successful showing at the Maine Needs Community walk this spring, the committee is currently reviewing options for summer, fall, and winter events.
The committee is seeking a diversity of opportunities that ideally involve:
- Physical activity or other types of individual contribution (cooking, organizing, etc.)
- Fundraising (walk, races, etc)
- Drives, where the contributions are non-monetary (supply drives, etc.)
“We aim to support our community not just here in Portland, Maine, but in the cities and towns our employees call home around the country,” Tammy adds.
Maine Needs Walk
The first event in 2025, the Maine Needs Walk, was a 3.6 mile walk around the Back Cove and Payson Park on May 24 to raise funds to support the community-fueled donation center that provides basic material goods for individuals and families throughout the state.
We made a strong showing at the walk with 26 registrants in red PWW Gives Back t-shirts along with family members and pets. Although the weather provided a light drizzle, the spirit of the day shone through. The Maine Needs team was very warm and welcoming, and did an excellent job organizing this first-ever event. Their care and effort were felt in every detail.
“The Maine Needs Walk was a meaningful opportunity to support an organization doing vital work for Mainers in need, and we were proud to show up, walk together, and contribute to a cause that truly matters,” Tammy says. “Events like this remind us of the power of community, both within our team and beyond. It gave us a chance to connect and to contribute to something impactful.”
Our team also made and donated 24 mini spring/summer kits and 12 summer fun kits with essential supplies like sunscreen and bug spray.
Next steps
As we grow the reach of PWW Gives Back, the committee seeks to identify and address pressing issues in our communities and establish ongoing relationships with nonprofits, schools, and shelters.
We furthermore seek to fulfill the following employee engagement goals:
- Address the passion and goals of all employees at PWW
- Maximize participation by creating inclusive opportunities for everyone
- Encourage employee bonding to strengthen relationships, get more face time, and enhance workplace culture
Employees who volunteer, regardless of location, are encouraged to:
- Stay engaged with the committee
- Report back after volunteering
- Share photos and celebrate with the group
As we continue to track volunteer hours, donations raised, and people helped, we expect our team members will gain a sense of pride and impact.
We encourage our team members to suggest events based on the criteria detailed above. The committee can’t promise to support every event, but will always consider the options and share the decision on what will be supported.
Learn more
- About GovWebworks: How we deliver services to citizens
- Flower Power for Portland Housing: How updating HUD gardens makes a difference in the community
- Contact us with ideas for events to sponsor