• by Larissa Faw , August 7, 2014

Starcom USA is the largest media agency in Chicago, and on Thursday, August 7, the Publicis-owned agency is giving back to its community as part of its Starcom Serves annual community service day.

"Starcom is a company with a rich heritage in Chicago and it’s great when we have the opportunity to give back to the community, especially when it comes in the form of fostering today’s youth and working to create a better environment for them to learn and thrive in,” said Starcom USA CEO Lisa Donohue.

Nearly 500 out of the office's 900 employees are participating on projects benefiting Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the YMCA of Metro Chicago.

Half of the volunteers are partnering with three Chicago Public Schools: Thomas A. Hendricks Elementary Community Academy, Ellen Mitchell Elementary School and Jacob Beidler Elementary School. Projects involve gardening, building book shelves, and painting murals, classrooms, hallways and outdoor fences.

Additional volunteers from Starcom are working at several YMCA of Metro Chicago locations: McCormick Tribune YMCA, Irving Park YMCA, South Side YMCA, North Lawndale YMCA, Rauner YMCA and High Ridge YMCA. Starcom employees are helping campers with science experiments, literacy and art projects, and group games.

This is the second year Starcom has partnered with CPS and the YMCA. Starcom, YMCA and CPS thought that last year’s event was such a success, which is why Starcom wanted to partner again this year. And this level of community engagement is not unique to the Windy City. This summer, Starcom's sister offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and Detroit are also participating in similar community service events centered on improving youth education.

Starcom USA employs more than 1,200 employees who handle assignments for companies including Allstate, Bank of America, Kellogg Company, Procter & Gamble, and Samsung.