To anybody who knows the team at Imagine, Inc., the marketing firm’s nomination for the Northern Virginia Chamber 2017 Outstanding Corporate Citizen Awards does not come as a surprise. “Our philosophy is simple. If you can help, you do. Giving back is core to who we are,” said Imagine Founder & CEO Patrick King. “These awards shine a spotlight on business leaders across Northern Virginia who are actively involved in improving our communities. It is an honor to be recognized alongside our peers in this way.”
Presented across seven categories, the awards honor extraordinary business leadership and above-and-beyond corporate social responsibility (CSR). Nominees will be honored, and winners announced, during the Northern Virginia Chamber Chair’s Luncheon, June 14 at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in McLean, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.
King sits on a number of boards of directors for area nonprofits, including those of Court Appointed Special Advocates Children’s Intervention Services (CASA CIS), Manassas Education Foundation and Smart Beginnings of Greater Prince William. His wife, and Imagine President, Rebecca Vaughan-King, is the Chairman of the Manassas Business Council and serves on the board of Leadership Prince William, of which she, King and staff member Emily Guerrero are graduates.
“We have our all-hands-on-deck charitable projects, such as the We Fight Ugly contest, where we donate a brand new website to a deserving nonprofit that the community nominates, as well as supporting team members ability to support causes about which they are passionate,” said Vaughan-King. “For instance, our creative director, Jason Castillo, gives time to the Hero Initiative, which raises money for comic book creators in financial need.” She noted that supporting artists is a shared passion among the staff.
She said that twice a year, the Imagine team bands together to curate, promote and host “Canned Art,” an art show which doubles as a food drive for Northern Virginia Family Services. Imagine features work from up and coming local artists, and charges no gallery fees. “As a creative firm, encouraging the arts something we all feel strongly about,” said Vaughan-King.
Additionally, Imagine donates pro bono creative work to support community events and charitable fundraisers, has participated in three Comcast Cares Days and even directly raises funds for community members in need.
“Our ‘Blessings from Curses’ fundraiser was a fun twist on the office swear jar. We raised money to help a colleague who had been displaced by a fire, inviting clients to stop by and turn their bad into a great cause,” said King.
“One of the most impressive achievements of the Northern Virginia business community is the many ways in which our businesses and leaders give back to the community where they live, work, and play,” said Jim Corcoran, Northern Virginia Chamber President & CEO. “This year’s nominees have made an impact and created a stronger community – they are all truly outstanding corporate citizens.”
To learn more about Imagine, and the work it does in the community, visit www.ImagineDC.net.
