Atlanta-based VenueQuest Global Meetings & Travel has announced a large-scale volunteer effort taking place the week of Jan. 1, 2009. Known as "Karma Kick-Off 2009," the effort consists of an entire week of volunteerism by VenueQuest employees, as well as individuals at participating companies nationwide.

"Karma Kick-Off is about making immediate and positive impacts in the lives of those we will touch," VenueQuest President Dan Gennari said in a statement last month. "There are no galas, no black-ties and no tax incentives. It is about the goodness and compassion that is within us all."

VenueQuest developed the idea for Karma Kick-Off earlier this year when employees tried to coordinate on their company discussion board a group volunteer outing. When they were unable to agree on a single activity or date in 2008, they took a cue from VenueQuest owners—who have a long-standing tradition of delivering breakfast to homeless men and women on New Year's Day—and decided to host a company-wide volunteer week during the first week of January 2009.

During that week, which VenueQuest has dubbed a "no work" week, each VenueQuest associate, manager and executive may choose an individual or team volunteer activity that's of personal importance to them, with the goal of performing random acts of kindness for an entire week.

"The Karma Kick-Off event has come to fruition very naturally for VenueQuest," said VenueQuest Environmental Sustainability Officer Jen Harpaz. "We have an abundant team of individuals, each with depth of character and strong values. They carry a true desire to contribute to the well-being of their communities, environment and others' lives. This will be a triumphant experience that will blossom into even more fruitful social efforts by VenueQuest."

Karma Kick-Off 2009 has been so popular among VenueQuest employees that they've recruited friends, family, vendors and clients to participate in volunteer efforts as well. That in turn has generated even more interest, which has inspired VenueQuest to create a Karma Kick-Off Web site—as well as Karma Kick-Off pages on MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn—where interested volunteers nationwide can learn about volunteer activities in their area and register to participate in them. In fact, the company plans to recognize with an award the person or team who makes the largest positive impact during Karma Kick-Off week.

For more information about Karma Kick-Off week 2009, or to register for an activity in your area, visit www.karmakickoff.com. This page is protected by Copyright laws. Do Not Copy