Firms giving back: Jackson Thornton pledges '100 Acts of Service'

Top 100 Firm Aprio partnered with the NFL during Super Bowl Week for its “Gridiron Giveback” program - the only CPA firm to do so. This year, the event recognized the families of Georgia’s National Guard members deployed to Afghanistan.

Aprio contributed 2,200 thank you cards for the National Guard families, while also donating gift bags for children and a nursery makeover for one particular family expecting twins.

For a video of the event, head to the NFL's site here.

Montgomery, Ala. firm Jackson Thornton will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a new corporate brand identity and a new charitable initiative, dubbed "100 Years, 100 Acts of Service."

The firm's nonprofit initiative kicked off in January with more than 200 of its professionals packing approximately 34,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger. More large-scale charity projects are planned for the rest of the year.

“As we begin our second century, we wanted a way to show our appreciation to the communities who have been so welcoming of us,” stated Ned Sheffield, president and managing principal of Jackson Thornton. “We thought what better way to say thank you than to donate our time, talents and gifts to worthy organizations across our service areas.”

The firm also revealed a new tagline (“Set the Bar Higher"), a new corporate website, and an ad campaign featuring client success stories.

For a video announcement of the 100 Years, 100 Services initiative, head to the firm's site here.

Top 10 Firm RSM US announced that nine of its staff members across the country are the latest recipients of its Pursue Your Passion program. Each professional will receive $10,000 and nine paid-time-off days to "fulfill their dreams" and pursue various nonprofit endeavors of their choice.

The program debuted in 2016, in conjunction with the firm's 90th anniversary.

“Our Pursue Your Passion program provides opportunities for our employees to fulfill their personal and professional aspirations,” stated Doug Opheim, chief financial officer and chairman of the RSM US Foundation. “We’re humbled to see the projects that this year’s winners have selected and the stewardship that our colleagues continue to exemplify. We’re excited to hear our winners’ stories as they complete their projects throughout the year.”

RSM US's 2019 Pursue Your Passion winners and their projects are as follows:

• Barbara Adler (tax manager, Dallas, Texas) – Make improvements to her small town’s food pantry and enhance the area’s farmers market.
• Nick Crombie (senior associate, Raleigh, N.C.) – Expand his knowledge on augmented reality and create apps to teach kids about self-confidence, teamwork and caring for others.
• Alissa Hatch (manager, San Antonio, Texas) – Take training courses to further develop leadership skills and create stronger bonds among members of her Cub Scout pack.
• Kelly Hughes (finance manger, Davenport, Iowa) – Keep a promise to her son to attend his football games, even when he travels with his college team to play in Ireland.
• Lucrecia Gray (manager, San Antonio, Texas) – Create and donate quilts to Quilts of Valor and offer sewing classes to keep quilting relevant with a new generation.
• Celeste McGahan (project management senior associate, Boston, Mass.) – Take yoga teacher lessons and volunteer to provide classes to help herself and others afflicted with scoliosis.
• Brittney Posdal (associate, Schaumburg, Ill.) – Establish a fund to help her nephew who was born without a left forearm and help pay prosthetics bills for other children.
• Mary Theo (Alliance talent leader, Boston, Mass.) – Publish and distribute a children’s book featuring her grandson and his favorite stuffed animal that will provide joy to sick children.
• Eileen Turkot (international manager, Chicago, Ill.) – Transform a spare room at her family’s home into a welcoming bedroom for foster children.

For more on the Pursue Your Passions program, head to the RSM US site here.