In addition to our global “Change minds, change lives” volunteerism program, hundreds of MS&L staff work on programs and initiatives throughout the year that support our local communities. Some examples are the “Winter Wishes” program in New York, which donates toys and clothes to underprivileged children; regular food drives; marketing and communications support to non-profit organizations, and many, many more. The following are just a few examples of MS&L’s pro bono work around the world:

• Capital MS&L, our financial communications arm in London, New York and Dubai is working on a variety of initiatives around the world in conjunction with The CarbonNeutral Company. In Jamaica, the agency is working on promoting energy efficiency by distributing compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) to inner city neighborhoods. CFLs use one quarter of the electricity of traditional incandescent bulbs and last ten times longer. This is an essential contribution on an island faced with insufficient electricity generating capacity and a heavy reliance on oil-fired power stations.

• Capital MS&L is also working on reforestation in Mexico. Situated in Chiapas, the Tzeltal and Tojolobal zones are two of the poorest regions in Mexico, where families live in poverty without the vital nutrition, living conditions and education required to survive and prosper. However, this area holds some of the world's most important rainforests inhabiting a huge range of rare species. Capital MS&L is helping this community by providing a sustainable income to future generations. Investing in this project enables farmers to plant fruit and nut tree orchards on their land, restoring it to its original forested state. Using the Plan Vivo carbon management system, this pioneering forestry project has a huge impact on the local communities and farmers and their families are provided with the security of a certified income stream for the long term.

• MS&L Atlanta recently completed its two-year, $100,000 George Goodwin Grant program with Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts, which provided the non-profit with marketing communications guidance, planning and programs. MS&L was able to gain much needed visibility for the Center, securing a four-column placement The New York Times’ Arts Section on the organization’s feature play and helping to substantiate the Center’s artistic credentials with board members and donors. The office awarded their 2007-2008 grant to Samaritan House of Atlanta, a non-profit organization that helps homeless men and women gain self-sufficiency through personalized employment readiness and life-stabilization programs.

• MS&L Boston recently completed its two-year Agnew Carter McCarthy Grant, which similarly provides $100,000 of in-kind services over a two-year period. The grant was awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, which provided PR support and media relations services to the Club to help increase its standing in the community and develop its popular youth programs. The office awarded their 2007-2008 grant to The Esplanade Association, a non-profit organization that is working to restore the Charles River Esplanade in Boston.