DDB Canada, a marketing communications agency, is again hosting its annual employee-driven charitable initiative Share DDB, with its employees donating a "unique, personalized" auction item with proceeds benefiting local charities.

“We all have a sense of responsibility to support our communities and to adopt a give-back philosophy. Doing so in a creative fashion provides an opportunity for our staff to exercise their talent and to make it more personal,” said David Leonard, national president and chief operating officer, DDB Canada.

Share DDB, which began at DDB Canada’s Vancouver office in 2006, launched in Toronto and Edmonton last year, resulting in over $36,000 raised for local charities. This year, proceeds will benefit four charities as chosen by DDB Canada staff including the James Lee Foundation, a scholarship fund created in memory of a DDB family member; Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, which provides a home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at a nearby hospital; The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, dedicated to providing food and assistance to those in need throughout Vancouver; and The Hope Mission, a non-profit organization that cares for those who are impoverished and homeless in Edmonton and surrounding areas.

The response this year has "been overwhelming", with Share DDB’s Vancouver event taking place on November 21 and raising more than $18,000 for charity, according to DDB (the events are invite-only). Its Toronto office will host Share DDB for its second year on Thursday, November 29, with Edmonton, also in its second year, closing the festivities on Friday, December 7.

To offset costs of the evening and maximize funds raised, DDB Canada connects with its clients and select vendors to sponsor each event and either donate their services or an item for auction. Some of the donated items have been profiled on the Share DDB Facebook page here.