Although Spark Ventures’ spring fundraiser was “virtual” this year, the impact of the support it generated is very real.

Spark Ventures directs human and financial resources to partners around the world to provide healthcare, education and jobs that help lift communities in Zambia, Nicaragua and Mexico out of poverty. The grassroots organization, which is headquartered in Chicago, was slated to host its annual Wine & Dine fundraiser in April. But when their event venue cancelled due to COVID-19, Spark Ventures needed to pivot. And that’s just what they did.

On April 23, approximately 200 supporters — including several from DeanHouston — attended a “virtual fundraiser.” The event leveraged Zoom video conferencing to bring guests together from the safety and comfort of their homes. It featured networking rooms, silent auctions, live auctions and videos (see below), and raised more than $150,000.

During a recent lunchtime conversation, the topic of discussion ranged from a new type of desk chair for the office to fugitives running loose in the ‘burbs.

For a brief moment, everything was back to normal for DeanHouston Chicago.

As the DeanHouston Chicago office continues to work remotely due to the shelter-in-place order in Illinois, team members have found creative ways to keep the camaraderie alive. Small-group “lunch hangouts” is a recent example.

Like many other healthy work environments prior to the pandemic, members of DeanHouston Chicago would regularly go out for lunch together. The organization has adapted in so many other pivotal ways amid COVID-19, so why not lunch, too? And so “lunch hangouts” became a thing. Here’s what we’ve learned from our digital lunches:

Hydro Systems wants to show its gratitude to all the janitors, custodians, building service contractors and other facility cleaning professionals who are working tirelessly to limit the spread of COVID-19.

From now until June 30, the Hydro Frontline Heroes contest is seeking stories about incredible facility workers going above and beyond expectations during this difficult time.

Each week, Hydro Systems will select and feature a new Hydro Hero to win a JBL® Wireless Bluetooth Speaker.  At the end of the contest period, Hydro Systems will select one overall winner and donate $2,500 to the food bank of their choice.