Women's crisis center receives a sprucing up by workers at Grant Thorton LLP

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland office of Grant Thornton designated Friday, June 8, as the office's first "Make a Difference Day."

Grant Thornton employees assisted the City Mission with a "spruce-up" project at Laura's Home on Puritias Avenue; Guidestone in Berea, with an activity for the children living at the residential treatment program; and the West Creek Preservation Committee received "pocket park" on Lakeshore Boulevard in Cleveland.

"Grant Thornton's mission is to make a difference to our colleagues, our clients, our profession and our communities," said Dan Zittnan, Cleveland office managing partner. "We believe very strongly in giving back to the community; and have participated in many community activities over the years. We view this as a special opportunity where all of our people can 'make a difference' at once."

Laura’s Home provided 56,379 meals and 38,082 nights of shelter to 532 women and 374 children in crisis in 2012. It helped 160 women and 109 children as they worked through their 180-day long-term program.

Guidstone serves more than 13,000 children and families annually throughout the state of Ohio. Their experience and expertise in finding comprehensive solutions for families has helped them evolve into a leading organization dedicated to preserving family relationships and helping make children, families and communities stronger.

WCPC coordinates efforts on land and water resource restoration, trail development, stormwater abatement, historical rehabilitation, policy implementation, urban agriculture and an array of other sustainable and best management practices.

The City Mission is grateful for all of this volunteer help. It explained that it would not have the success they are having without the gracious services provided by the company and employees of of Grant Thornton, and countless others in our community who give unselfishly to their organization.

"We wouldn't be able to do what we do without the help of all the volunteers and the support that we get in the community," Joshua Foote of Lauras House told NewsChannel5. "Its vital to our communities to continue to grow."

Rick O'Callaghan with Grant Thornton said he believes that he and other employees are making a difference in the community by lending a hand in helping with the painting Friday.

"We believe in the mission of the City Mission and we wanted to be here to support them and show that by painting," said O'Callaghan.

Many companies are organizing community help days like this one and volunteers such as these from Grant Thornton are always welcome.