On Saturday, for the third year in a row, the ever-awesome Go Design Unit rallied a bunch of graphic designers, stuck them in their office with web developer Adam Chlan and copy writers Chet Williamson and me, and put us to work making cutting-edge marketing materials for deserving nonprofits.
Though I’ve only participated twice now, the annual Design-O-Rama-Thon has become one of my favorite Lancaster institutions. Last year Chet and I wrote brochure text and donor letters for House of His Creation in Gap. Other nonprofits that benefited were the American Cancer Society, HOPE Global Investment Fund, The Janus School, the Susquehanna Foundation for the Blind, and Team PA Foundation.
This year, I worked with Lancaster freelance designer Donna Lindsey, Harrisburg graphic designer Kristin Sabadish, and Moxie House’s Megan Caruso on print advertisements and posters for the North Museum’s spring Science and Engineering Fair. The research, made possible by Russell Frost’s photographs at the most recent fair, was fun and full of surprises.
Other organizations that got great marketing work at no cost this year included Clare House, the Threshold Foundation, Junior Achievement of Central PA, Lancaster Young Professionals, and American Home Life International.
I’d like to add my thanks to Kitchen Kettle Village, Isaac’s, Lancaster Brewing Company, and Samantha Seifried for keeping me and the rest of the DORTers fed and refreshed!
Had a great time, Daniel — wish we’d gotten the chance to work together more, but there’s always next year (and CWL!).
Great to read this. It’s great PR for you guys and speaks to your energy, enthusiasm and compassion. It’s also asking for more knocks on the door. Keep up the great work and never get overwhelmed with the “need”! One design at a time…
Thanks, Daniel!
Shout out to Tim @infantree. He was the man with the plan. I very much enjoyed getting to be a part of this, and working with some of the most talented people in Lancaster.
The North Museum is sincerely thankful for all the donated time, talent and brain power the DORT volunteers gave for our project. We can’t wait to see the results!
Thanks for volunteering again, Daniel!
Chet – Yep, I’m sure you’ll get your fill of me working on the CWL. 🙂 I enjoyed working with you last year.
Chris – “One design at a time” is a likely motto for the annual DORT. It’s great thinking of the ripple effect of these marketing projects.
Donna, Adam, and Nida, it was fun working together.
Amanda – I’m excited for you to see the results. We had fun with the project. I’d love to meet you in real life sometime.
Daniel I always love to hear how you reach out to the community. It is even better when I read about many people doing the same thing. we need more news and information out there like this. It brings people together.