Day of Service
In last week’s column, I wrote about the Marcum Foundation and our Firm’s commitment to supporting the communities in which we do business – community being one of Marcum’s nine core values (see all core values here). As we look ahead to Thanksgiving and all of the holiday festivities that will follow, it gives me great pleasure to use this week’s column to announce the first annual Marcum Day of Service.
On Wednesday, November 25 – the day before Thanksgiving – all 19 of Marcum’s U.S. offices will be closed for business, and all partners and staff will spend the day volunteering at a local charity organization. Everyone will be paid as if they were coming to work as usual. But instead, Marcum teams will report to local nonprofits selected by each office and roll up their sleeves to sort food, deliver meals, write holiday cards, help repair damaged homes, or participate in any number of other service activities.
As much as we love our clients – and we do! – Marcum’s commitment to serve with excellence will be channeled in a different direction on November 25. The phones will not get answered, and email will be unopened. Working on a Marcum community service team will be our Firm-wide priority for that one day. It’s a small, but hopefully meaningful, expression of the true spirit of Thanksgiving; an opportunity for us to set aside the business of business for a single day and give ourselves, instead, to helping those less fortunate.
I am extremely proud of the entire Marcum organization for embracing this core value of our corporate culture, and I hope and trust that you, our clients and friends, will support us in this effort. I can’t think of a better way to embark on the season of giving.
###
I’d be remiss if I didn’t somehow address the tragedy that unfolded last Friday night in Paris. Over 500 innocent people were randomly killed or injured in a heinous, cowardly act by fanatics whose sole purpose was to take innocent lives. Those actions could have unfolded anywhere, and it was Paris’ misfortune this time. Let us hope our U.S. intelligence agencies and Homeland Security people are steps ahead of those who may be looking to do something like that here. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured and our condolences to the loved ones of those murdered.
###
News Flash: Thirty minutes before this column posted today, another exciting development in the continuing evolution of our Firm was announced. Effective December 1, Marcum will be merging with Smart, Devine & Company, LLC, a full-service accounting and consulting firm headquartered in Philadelphia. Smart Devine will bring approximately 75 partners and staff to Marcum, with a special capability in advisory services. We are delighted to welcome them to the Firm and hope those of you in Philadelphia will take the opportunity to learn more about our expanded capabilities from your Marcum service professional. Look for more exciting Marcum expansion news early next week.
###
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. In the Weiner household, it’s a day for family, food and football. On behalf of my family, partners and the entire Marcum team, I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. We’re off for the long holiday weekend next Friday, so my next posting will be on December 4.
