Firms giving back: Berdon LLP joins NY Mets for STEM program

Berdon LLP Accountants and Advisors recently partnered with the New York Mets and Learn Fresh, a local nonprofit that "leverages students’ passions for sports and entertainment to make learning fun."

Learn Fresh initially partnered with the Mets to launch a program called Math Hits, which incorporates students’ interest in baseball to further their math and STEM-related skills.

As the sole corporate sponsor of the Math Hits program, Berdon is supporting the Mets and Learn Fresh this summer through a STEM-focused program titled Personal Branding and Career Preparedness, which took place July 21 at Citi Field, and follows a similar format as Math Hits.

The program mixes a fantasy baseball tournament with important math principles to further students’ interest and knowledge in STEM skills.

“Working with Learn Fresh and the NY Mets to help engage and inspire students is something we are very passionate about,” said Rebecca Goodman-Stephens, Berdon's chief operating officer, in a statement. “The Math Hits program encompasses all of Berdon’s core values — including camaraderie and teamwork; continuous education; trust and integrity; respect for others; commitment to excellence; and diversity, equity and inclusion. We are excited about being involved with this program and teaming up with the Mets and Learn Fresh to help motivate and educate New York City students.”

“We developed the add-on Personal Branding and Career Preparedness program for Math Hits not only to offer students an opportunity to better understand the STEM-related careers available to them, but also to help ensure that they understand the importance of their personal brand and its impact on their professional and financial well-being,” said Frank Vitale, Berdon's chief marketing officer, in a statement. “By focusing on topics such as proper social media etiquette, tips on how to develop a resume and nail an interview, and the basics of understanding credit, we hope to arm the participating students with knowledge and skills that help pave the way for their future success.”

Eide Bailly's Sioux Falls, South Dakota, office held its annual Community Day, helping to clear overgrowth at the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum, per Keloland News.

“I sit down at a desk all day and am out with clients and everything, so it’s fun to be outside and do all this kind of stuff,” said Eide Bailly accountant Dylan Hanson.

Approximately 100 staff members participated in the park clean-up.

“It’s a huge deal for us, because we can’t do everything on our own and having a volunteer group like this come out and spend the day, just says a lot about their support of the arboretum and their interest in being outside,” said Mike Cooper, interim director of the arboretum.

Top 100 Firm Sikich announced an interactive partnership with Innovation DuPage, a small business incubator in DuPage County, Illinois. Sikich will provide mentorship, resources and financial support to startup founders and small business owners alike.

Innovation DuPage is a nonprofit organization that works with entrepreneurs to help them grow. The organization looks to boost economic development and attract new talent to DuPage County through its support of startups and business ventures.

“Much like Sikich aims to support all facets of our clients’ businesses, Innovation DuPage is doing meaningful work to help entrepreneurs develop all areas of their businesses,” said Antony Nettleton, a partner at Sikich and market leader of the firm’s northern Illinois presence, in a statement. “I am confident this will be a two-way partnership that will inspire Sikich, providing us with unique solutions and creative ideas to bring to our clients. And I look forward to providing resources, education and varying perspectives to help these local business owners succeed."

“With Sikich’s help, we can not only offer entrepreneurs space from which to run their startup companies, but also mentorship and resources to grow their business,” said Jim Bell, director of operations at Innovation DuPage, in a statement. “We look forward to partnering with Sikich to provide guidance and solutions that help our members flourish.”

More information on Sikich’s partnership is available on Sikich's site here.