Giving Back

Valassis leaders dig in and build a
much-needed community park

In January 2011, Valassis took on a community service project — one that would give kids a safe place to ride their bikes and play. The land had been donated by the Weaver Land Company, but the project was at a standstill due to lack of funding. That’s where Valassis came in. We committed $25,000 — and time — from about 80 of our leaders. During a semi-annual off-site meeting (the location determined by the project itself), the Valassis team took a hands-on approach, installing park equipment, spreading gravel and readying the park for area youngsters. The park includes swings, a wave slide, spring riders, a walking track and benches. Since then, the park has been adopted by the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa, where the Valassis business meeting was held.

Livonia Client Services Team Hosts
‘Sculpting Around the World’ for Local Food Bank

The Multicultural Event Committee at the Livonia Client Services building recently hosted a "Sculpting Around the World" event for the Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. Over 2,800 pieces (4,300 pounds) of assorted food was donated to Gleaners, providing approximately 3,310 meals to neighbors in need in Southeastern Michigan.

For more than 30 years, Gleaners Community Food Bank has been nourishing communities by feeding hungry people. Last year, Gleaners distributed more than 36 million pounds of emergency food to over 484 partner soup kitchens, shelters and pantries in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties in Michigan.

Valassis Team Spruces up Livonia Historical Park
in Time for Spring

Greenmead Historical Park, located down the street from our corporate headquarters in Livonia, Michigan, received a spring clean up by volunteers from Strategic Sourcing. About 70 associates took part in the project as part of their "Give Back to the Community" event.

In just a few short hours, the group was able to help uncover the beds filled with perennials. Team members worked side by side transplanting, pruning, raking, blowing and weeding in an effort to spruce up the grounds for the Livonia community to enjoy now that the weather is warming up. About 50,000 people visit the grounds each year at Livonia's historic park. Valassis associate Robin Faron heard about co-worker and Livonia resident, Cheryl Spence and another co-worker, Vikki Toth, who volunteer on their lunch hour at Greenmead to weed and tend some of the gardens. A quick phone call to Greenmead confirmed their need for a group of volunteers for a spring clean up, and the event grew from there.

"Our entire division pulled together to make this happen, and I think they all enjoyed the experience. I hope that it becomes an annual event for our group, and that it helps to build some excitement and community awareness for Greenmead as well," said Bill Blackmer, Valassis Senior Vice President, Strategic Sourcing.