Deloitte employees left behind their computers, conference calls and e-mails to make an impact on primary schools Elliot Primary School and Heron Bay Primary.

A total of 74 employees from the professional services firm split into groups to work at the schools. Tasks included cleaning out storage rooms, organising closets and cupboards, painting murals and signs, rebuilding wooden coverage over eating areas, planting around the school grounds, repainting walls, games areas, verandas and bus stops, decorating teaching areas, and joining in arts, crafts and projects with the children.

Deloitte said its employees offered 296 volunteer hours during the day — the equivalent of 37 eight-hour working days.

Kimberly Creighton, principal of Elliot Primary School, said: “On behalf of the Elliot Primary School family I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Deloitte who came to our school and gave of their time and talents to assist with completing various projects around our school.

“We have been promoting community service at the school and our students participate in three community service activities during the school year. Our students were excited to see the staff of Deloitte coming to our school to perform various community service activities. It was a wonderful for our students to see adults giving back to the community.”

The day of community service formed part of Deloitte’s global initiative known as “IMPACT Day”, a celebration of Deloitte’s year-round commitment to community investment. This commitment is driven by the idea that a healthy community and a healthy business environment go hand in hand.

John Johnston, chief executive officer of Deloitte in the Caribbean and Bermuda region, stated: “As Deloitte team members, we challenge ourselves to do what matters most and to make an impact — not just for our clients and our people, but for society as well.”

He added: “Our global figure for societal contribution — that’s the monetary value of the support Deloitte gives towards community activities, pro-bono work and volunteer hours around the world — was $212 million for the 2015 financial year. And this figure increased by 11 per cent from the previous year.”

For more information, go to http://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/global-report-2015.html