Last week marked a special occasion at Onni Creative - Volunteer Week!!! At the heart of our company values lies a commitment to making a positive impact in our communities. Last week, our team came together to contribute their time and dedication to various volunteer activities.
Onni Creative recognizes the importance of being active in local communities and this volunteer week was a tribute to our ongoing efforts to be a socially responsible and community-focused organization. Let’s take a closer look at some key moments and experiences:
GEONNI, Founder
Geonni had the opportunity to help the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles. The Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) envisions Los Angeles with every woman housed and on a path to personal stability. Its mission is to end homelessness for women in greater Los Angeles through housing, wellness, employment, and advocacy.
The DWC has many volunteer opportunities, including donating goods and constructing help-from-home kits. Geonni opted to assemble toiletry kits, which consisted of toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wipes, socks, shower gel, and more. For a special touch, she printed motivational and inspirational quotes to add to the kits.
DEANNA - Director, Creative + Concessions
Deanna’s volunteer week involved some furry friends. She was at the KC Pet Project, which strives to create a safer community for pets and people through progressive, lifesaving programs and services, community resources, and educational opportunities. KC Pet Project also offers pet adoption and foster programs.
Deanna spent the first half of her volunteer shift greeting guests and answering questions at the front desk. Then, it was snack time! Deanna had the opportunity to hand out treats to the pups. Treats consisted of a classic favorite – peanut butter. She had a great time getting to know the current animals up for adoption and learning about the history of the KC Pet Project.
KIM - Manager, Marketing + Publicity
Kim spent her time volunteering at the Cleveland Kids Book Bank. Their mission is to foster literacy by distributing free books to children in need. The book bank has installed 22 outdoor book collection bins throughout Greater Cleveland. Many of the donated books come from companies, schools, and individuals around surrounding communities.
During her shift at the book bank, Kim sorted and boxed the various books. Each book was first sanitized with a wipe and then flipped through to make sure the pages were intact and legible. She then sorted each book into bins by their genre (Early Readers, Picture Books, Short Stories, etc). Kim had a wonderful time volunteering and re-discovered some of her favorite childhood books.
NEKISHA - Manager, Digital Media
Nekisha chose to volunteer at the South Coast Botanic Garden, a beautiful oasis and a masterpiece of land reclamation. Located in Southern California, this garden is one of the world’s first botanical gardens to be built over a sanitary landfill. Since 1961, this 87-acre garden has occupied over 3,000 different plant species.
This holiday season, the garden is hosting various activities and classes for visitors. Among them is the wreath making workshop, where participants and fellow crafters will learn how to select and arrange an array of botanical elements, exploring different colors, textures and shapes. During her volunteering, Nekisha helped to collect and harvest plant material from the garden for the handcrafted wreaths. Some materials picked were Rosemary, Olive Leaf, Juniper, and PepperCorn. She is excited to be aiding the workshop and to create wreaths with her harvest.
When thinking about supporting our local communities and supporting a more sustainable world, Onni Creative actively works to address environmental concerns within the industry. We’ve implemented a series of sustainability pledges that extend across various aspects of our operations to ensure that we’re doing our part in the fight against climate change.
In the entertainment industry, where material consumption is often high, OC is committed to reducing waste and minimizing its carbon footprint. An essential part of our sustainability initiatives involves sourcing eco-conscious vendors, such as Packaging Concepts,Quest Graphics & Packaging, and Visstun, who offer recyclable concession and packaging solutions. Our recent offerings for Migration and Trolls Band Together include plastic cups, tubs, and trays all made from recyclable materials. Choosing suppliers who prioritize recyclability are imperative for a greener industry.
Our commitment to sustainability also extends to our art production processes. Our first eco-conscious pillar centers around renting and reusing. Entertainment productions often generate significant waste through discarded materials, builds, and furniture. Our team seeks resources such as Eco Sets and Recycled Sets, which implement zero waste practices by repurposing and recirculating production goods. In addition, we explore opportunities to donate our set decorations once production is complete.
Our second pledge when it comes to production design is the use of eco-friendly materials in constructing our sets. Mindful of the harmful impacts of plastics and styrofoam, we make efforts to avoid these materials whenever possible. This includes avoiding aerosols and choosing plant-based cleaners.
According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, a single film set has the potential of producing over 300 tons of waste per production. Among this waste includes plastic cups, plates, utensils, wrappers, cloths, etc. Recognizing the industry’s substantial contribution to global waste, we prioritize collaborations with productions that have dedicated green and recycling teams. In the absence of such initiatives, we take proactive steps, like bringing reusable water bottles to set, to minimize single-use plastics.
Whether you are a theater owner, set designer, production manager, or just an entertainment enthusiast, we invite you to become part of our collective endeavor. Here are a few ways you can make a difference:
Share Your Experience: Share you own volunteer experiences and inspire others to participate
Volunteer Opportunities: Highlight local volunteer opportunities and encourage your business or peers to get involved
Implement A Pledge: Encourage your team to adopt sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact
Eco-Friendly Practices for Individuals: Recycle, Conserve Energy (Turn off lights when not in use), Mindful Shopping (Support local brands, Opt for products with minimal packaging, Bring reusable bags when shopping), Mindful Disposal (Dispose of hazardous e-waste responsibly), etc.
Our volunteer week is not just a week of service, it’s a slice of our collective commitment to a greener world. By combining our efforts in volunteering and implementing sustainable business practices, we strive to make changes in both our local communities, the broader industry, and the world. As we reflect on the significance of this week, we urge individuals, teams, and businesses alike to join in on the cause! Happy Volunteer Week!
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