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Employees of Blue Vase Marketing at the Cummings Center wanted to do something for the victims of the earthquake disaster in Japan. Even though no one in the company had a direct connection to the people affected by the earthquake, everyone felt the need to take action. Michael Alden, President of Blue Vase Marketing, was impressed by the action philosophy of the employees and allowed a “Jeans for Japan” day, which became a weeklong event. Any employee who donated $5 to the cause was allowed to wear jeans to work; for $20, jeans were allowed for the week.

To date, the event has raised $1,020. According to Alden, “We know that $1000 won’t make a huge difference to the people in Japan, but if every company did something similar, we could really make an impact.”

Blue Vase Marketing derived its name from the 1921 book by Peter B. Kyne called “The Go-Getter.” In the book, Bill Peck was challenged by The Degree of the Blue Vase by his boss, Cappy Ricks. Alden went on to say, “Right now, the people of Japan need the determination of a Bill Peck, and they also need our financial support.”

Blue Vase Marketing and its employees have also supported the Beverly Bootstraps Best Chef event, their essentials drive, and adopt-a-family program during the Christmas season. They also hope to be out in force for this spring’s Good Friday Walk.

All donations for their “Jeans for Japan” event will be given to the American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts. If your company is interested in running a similar program, please contact Human Resources Manager, John Maihos at 978-299-9000, ext 5158