Supporting a local organization that transforms the lives of children and families
UG2 has made it a priority to support local charities and organizations with philanthropic missions since day one. Our charitable involvement is part of our long-term commitment to give back to the communities in which we operate.
With our corporate headquarters based in Boston, MA, an institution we have deep ties to is Boston Children’s Hospital. We sat down with Lauren Lanzillo, Associate Vice President of Culture & Community to discuss UG2’s history with the organization as well as the annual fundraising event, Corporate Cup, which UG2 will be participating in.
Beginning in 2016, Corporate Cup is a fundraiser consisting of field day events promoting friendly competition between businesses in the Boston area. Teams compete in games like tug of war, soccer kicks, a football toss, and an obstacle course to win points and raise money for Boston Children’s Hospital. The winner of the event is awarded the “corporate cup” and individuals are recognized for their personal fundraising accomplishments.
Contributions go toward:
- Providing specialized and critical care to patients.
- Supporting patient families with crisis-related needs like housing, clothing, and food as well as four outpatient psychiatry clinics.
- Advancing the research of complex diseases and treatments.
Lauren, what is UG2’s history with Boston Children’s Hospital?
“Lou Lanzillo, UG2 Chief Executive Officer, and the Lanzillo family are long-time supporters of Boston Children’s Hospital. As a child, I spent a month in Children’s Hospital battling a severe infection, which was the result of a ruptured appendix. I experienced first-hand the distress that comes with being hospitalized and how receiving proper care from an organization you can trust makes all the difference.
As a result, my parents developed a deep-rooted respect for Boston Children’s Hospital and their unparalleled approach to patient and family care. We will forever be grateful for the incredible teams of staff that supported us in our time of need.”
How long has UG2 been involved with Corporate Cup?
“We’ve been involved for two years, but we’ve actually had an interest in participating in Corporate Cup for some time. Understandably, during the pandemic, the event was suspended. But, the moment it was re-instated, we jumped at the opportunity to put together a team and participate!”
How are team members raising money for the cause?
“UG2 team members are spreading the word to family, friends, and their personal networks! They are engaging in personal outreach as well as posting opportunities to support the ‘UG2 Crew’ on social media. We are also promoting the fundraising event through our UG2 social media pages.”
Why is it important that team UG2 participates in events like Corporate Cup?
“UG2 is an incredibly family-oriented organization that believes in community. We also believe in giving back to the community—and bolstering organizations whose values align so closely with our own. Everyone’s lives can get busy, so making it a priority to step back and take time to support causes like this that give children hope and make their future brighter is so important.“
What were the highlights of last year’s event?
“Last year was a hot one! Despite the record-high temperature, UG2 team members rose to the challenge and were fierce competitors. Seeing the team come together to cheer one another on was such a highlight and encouraged us to push through the heat.
The best part was that it created the opportunity for many of us who don’t get to interact with each other on a daily basis to better get to know each other. This camaraderie wasn’t left out on the field that day, it followed us back to the office which strengthened our bonds and overall team environment.
Last but not least, we had the opportunity to hear firsthand from patients about the care they received from Boston Children’s Hospital. Learning about the difference the hospital made in their lives was so touching. We experienced a sense of purpose by participating in an event that is integral to such an important cause.”
How did the team work together last year?
“Believe it or not, we really had to fine-tune our communication skills! Being vocal and communicative during certain activities made such a difference in our team’s performance — especially during the Hula Hoop and Tug-O-War activities. There were more than a couple of team members that stood out for their extreme competitive streaks!”
Do you have any strategies for this year’s game day events?
“We learned the importance of playing to each team member’s personal strengths. However, not all events require the participation of the whole team. Making sure we allocate the right resources to the right activities will make a major difference in our performance.“
What are you looking forward to in particular this year?
“We have some new additions to the team this time around, so I’m really excited to see everyone support each other and work together. It’s always inspiring hearing from the hospital’s team and former/current patients. There is no better feeling than learning about how the support of the event makes a difference in real people’s lives.”
What do you hope the team gains from this experience?
“First and foremost—to have fun! We had so many laughs last year. No one took themselves too seriously and I think it’s fair to say, we all left feeling really good about supporting a phenomenal cause. This event is always a great reminder to not let life get too serious and to channel energy into causes that mean something to you and have the ability to transform the lives of others.”
Do you have any other comments you would like to share?
“For those considering participating in this event—don’t be intimidated by the events or level of athleticism involved. I’ll be the first to say—I’m no athlete! This is such a great day to see so many companies show up for an organization that shows up for so many children and families.”
The 2023 Corporate Cup took place on July 13th, 2023. Consider donating to Boston Children’s Hospital to bring hope to kids and families in need.
Source: https://secure.childrenshospital.org/site/TR?fr_id=2310&pg=entry