Firms giving back: Hantzmon Wiebel helps animal shelter during tax season

On April 25, more than 250 children joined Top 15 Firm Baker Tilly Virchow Krause's offices across the country for various Take Your Child to Work Day activities.

Staff members' children participated in a “Create a New Logo Contest,” with the winner’s design to be used as an event logo next year. To honor Earth Day, children learned about the environment and conservation from staff members. Additionally, Baker Tilly associates taught children about the everyday activities of their parents as well as some financial literacy and basic money concepts.

Students from West Hartford Hall High School, Conard High School, Kingswood Oxford School and Newington High School will join blumshapiro's sixth annual Junior Achievement Career Walk in West Hartford Center, Connecticut, on May 3.

Launched in 2014 by blumshapiro, PBI Financial Group and Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, the JA Career Walk introduces students to potential career paths by providing information on job opportunities within their local community.

“Our annual JA Career Walk provides students the knowledge and insights necessary to help them confidently plan their future course of study and job readiness paths,” stated Joseph Kask, chief executive officer of blumshapiro. “This unique opportunity to meet professionals in an active, real-life business environment opens their eyes to career possibilities they may not have even considered.”

The Career Walk will begin and end at blumshapiro's office located at 29 South Main Street in West Hartford. Students will first participate in an orientation session hosted by Tom DeVitto, blumshapiro's chief marketing officer and co-founder of the JA Career Walk. The orientation will also feature West Hartford mayor Shari Cantor and West Hartford Chamber of Commerce executive director Christopher Conway.

Students will then visit West Hartford Center businesses including Bridgewater Chocolates, Charles Schwab, Fathom, Iris Photgraphy, and Lux Bond & Green, with each business providing an overview and tour of their offices.

Hantzmon Wiebel, based in Charlottesville, Virginia, utilized the 2019 tax season to donate to Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA — a local no-kill animal shelter — with a multi-week food and toy drive.

Divided into two teams for friendly competition, staff members ultimately donated 1,606 cans of cat food, 1,607 cans of dog food, 24 large kong toys, 30 slow feeder and puzzle feeder bowls and 45 leashes to the shelter.

“Tax time can be very busy and stressful for our team with long hours and focused attention on detailed work," stated Jennifer Lehman, partner and CEO at Hantzmon Wiebel. "We know that if we can build in activities that provide a little friendly competition and fun while befitting the community, we create a better overall work environment for our team and a win-win situation for everyone. Last year, this same friendly competition resulted in a donation of more than 5,000 pounds of food to the Charlottesville Emergency Food Network."