National Volunteer Week: Celebrating Volunteerism and Community Service
This year marks the 50th anniversary of National Volunteer Week, which has helped recognize and amplify the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to build stronger communities, tackle society’s greatest challenges, and transform the world.
At Public Consulting Group (PCG), we empower our employees to volunteer their time and efforts to support the communities we serve. Through the PCG Cares program, employees can dedicate up to 32 hours of paid volunteer time each year toward causes and organizations that matter to them.
To celebrate the last 50 years of community service impact, PCG is shining a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve. As an organization dedicated to creating solutions that matter, we recognize and thank the employees who continuously lend their time and voice to make a difference in their communities. Read their stories below.
Brandy Dickman
Quality Assurance Team, Health
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Highlighted Organization: Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio
Ronald McDonald Houses provide families with a home-like place to stay as their child receives medical care. Located directly across from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio helps facilitate family-centered care that fosters health and wellbeing for the whole family. PCG’s Quality Assurance team in Ohio has volunteered with Ronald McDonald House twice, the first time by making lunch for residents and most recently by making welcome blankets. In 2024, the team made 11 blankets, which welcomed new families and provided comfort to their children.
“While our team has fortunately never had to use the services of Ronald McDonald House, we have witnessed how this organization provides families with stability amidst unthinkable circumstances. Volunteering has helped us develop empathy, patience, and stronger communication skills. Being part of a team dedicated to making a difference has taught me the value of collaboration and service.”
Brenna Kiniry
Senior Consultant, Technology Consulting
Location: Sacramento, CA
Highlighted Organization: Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services
PCG’s Sacramento office has focused their volunteer activities on reducing food insecurity in Sacramento County, where over 448,000 people are living 200 percent below the Federal Poverty Level and more than 25 percent are at risk of food insecurity. The team began volunteering with the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services in 2019, preparing and packing food for the homeless and hosting food drives.
“It is a privilege to help the community, and I am very proud to work for a company that supports such work. PCG Cares provides such wonderful opportunities to meet like-minded PCG colleagues and spend an afternoon away from the computer while still working together to deliver something tangibly positive to the community. I always end a PCG Cares event with a full heart and appreciation for those that fully dedicate themselves to this type of work.”
Pam Knight
Director of PCG Cares
Location: Portland, ME
Highlighted Organization: Pine Street Inn
One of the first places Pam volunteered after relocating from Charlotte to Boston was Shattuck Shelter, later known as hopeFound, which eventually merged with Pine Street Inn, the largest provider of homeless services in New England. Pam and other PCG employees became regular volunteers at hopeFound’s employment center, helping individuals with career preparation. The time Pam spent working with people experiencing homelessness changed both her life and career. In 2017, Pam launched PCG Cares, a program created to allow employees the opportunity to support their communities and connect with colleagues from across the firm. Since its inception, PCG employees have volunteered over 25,000 hours.
“A great majority of the work we do at PCG is helping government agencies better serve the public. When we volunteer, many of the people we serve benefit from the work we do every day. When we can see and interact with the people who are directly impacted by the work we do for our clients, it gives new meaning to everything we do. Volunteering in the community where you live, helping your neighbors, and setting an example of caring for everyone around you makes the world a better place.”
Richard Roberts
Senior Business Process Specialist, Enterprise Solutions
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Highlighted Organization: American Red Cross
The American Red Cross provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the US. Richard’s volunteer journey with the American Red Cross began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, which threatened blood supplies throughout the country. Having witnessed the life-saving impact of blood donations in emergency medical situations, Richard decided to serve as a Blood Donor Ambassador, alleviating administrative burdens for medical staff so that they could focus on collecting donations more efficiently.
“I have had the opportunity to meet incredible people and learn valuable life-saving skills. The organization’s commitment to volunteerism and community service is truly commendable, and I am proud to be a part of it. Volunteering has not only allowed me to give back to my community but also enriched my life in countless ways.”
Rob Niblock
Operations Supervisor, Education
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Highlighted Organization: The Salvation Army
For many years, PCG’s Phoenix team has volunteered with The Salvation Army Laura Danieli Activities Center, which provides year-round programs to support low-income communities. For Robert, the holiday meal shifts, which provide a full-service dining experience for seniors during the holiday season, have been particularly memorable and meaningful. The seniors they serve often have limited incomes with few loved ones nearby, and many are veterans who dedicated their lives to serving others.
“I’ve always believed that at some point, everyone faces hardship. I’ve been fortunate to have support from family and friends during my tough times, but I recognize that many people don’t have that safety net. That’s why I give back whenever I can—because one day, I might need someone to do the same for me. Being able to do this through PCG, an organization that values and supports community engagement, makes me proud to be part of the team.”
Tarlease Jones
Case Management Associate, Human Services
Location: San Diego, CA
Highlighted Organization: Leap to Success
Leap to Success is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring women overcoming adversity to ignite their confidence and reclaim their voice to transform their lives and communities. Having battled housing insecurity herself, Tarlease understands the struggles that many of these women face and has dedicated her time to giving back to that community. Through PCG Cares, she has been able to build relationships with community partners to support families of marginalized communities and provide them with a sense of belonging.
“Being able to interact within our communities enhances our ability to remember our reason “why”— why we show up, why we work so hard—and the value we bring to the diverse perspectives of those we serve. I'm thankful to be a part of the PCG Cares team and continuously provide solutions that matter. These transformative experiences have fostered my understanding of the need for overall wellbeing.”