COMMUNITY GIVING
The 1% Program of Public Architecture
As a member firm of The 1% Program of Public Architecture, ORB Architects has committed to spend 1% of our time providing pro bono services. For our current project, we are working with the City of Enumclaw to build a new stadium. The facility will have a new community play field, 2,000-seat grandstand with concessions, restrooms, locker rooms, and press box. ORB Architects created conceptual designs of the facility and has supported fund-raising efforts to finance the new stadium.
The Big Climb for Leukemia and Lymphoma
For the second consecutive year, ORB Architects has sponsored "The Retreads," a team of staff and friends of ORB, to participate in "The Big Climb for Leukemia and Lymphoma." Team members climb 69 flights of stairs at Columbia Center in Seattle to raise money to fight blood cancers. Then we celebrate our achievement with beer and burgers! In the past two years, we have raised $4,405.
Annual Christmas Family Sponsorship
Each year at Christmas-time, ORB Architects selects a family in need to adopt as part of our holiday celebration. Our staff buys clothing, toys, food, and gift cards for the family and personally delivers the gift-wrapped goodies.
Carving for a Cause
ORB Architects participated in a pumpkin-carving benefit co-sponsored by AIA Seattle, Seattle Architecture Foundation, and Design Within Reach, to raise money for Architects Without Borders, Firms were invited to submit their entries for consideration in five categories: Traditional, Starchitecture, Freestyle, Judges' Choice, and People's Choice. ORB Architects submitted one pumpkin featuring mice winding their way through holes called "Ball of Cheese," and another representing a friendly ghost from the classic video game Pac-Man.
National Day of Service
Each year, the Corporation for National and Community Service honors Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy by asking Americans to make the King Holiday a national day of service. Our firm hosted a coat drive and publicized it with other service opportunities at the event website. Community members and staff members alike contributed to the drive, and the results exceeded our expectations.
Financial Contributions
Following are some of the causes we believe in and to which we provide financial support:
- Neighbors for Parks — Keeping neighborhood parks clean, green, and safe, and ensuring accessible recreation programs for children and families throughout Tacoma
- 555 Able Soldier and Family Fund — Goods and services for the families of soldiers killed in action, the soldiers wounded in action and their families as they recover in hospitals, and the deployed soldiers and their families
- FISH Food Banks of Pierce County — Food for individuals in need through seven food bank locations
- Architects Without Borders — Ecologically sensitive and culturally appropriate design assistance to communities in need
- YMCA of Tacoma-Pierce County Strong Kids Program — Financial support for children, teens and families who are unable to afford the full cost of participation in a YMCA program or activity
- YMCA of Grays Harbor — Financial support for children, teens and families who are unable to afford the full cost of participation in a YMCA program or activity
