Echoes of Giving: Where Local Action Meets Global Impact
Washington, D.C. – November 15, 2024 – Trusted Echo, a new marketing agency, is teaming up with World Central Kitchen (WCK) and local organizations like Spur Local and Move Challenge Grow (MCG) to host "Echoes of Giving" on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, in Washington, D.C. This event aims to raise funds for WCK's vital mission of providing meals to those in need during times of crises.
This event tells a unique story: It starts locally, with a community coming together, and extends globally, supporting WCK's international efforts.
The day will begin with a free fitness class hosted by MCG, setting the tone for a day of giving back and celebrating community. The evening event at The Speakeasy at Capo Deli will feature delicious food and drinks, silent auctions featuring signed memorabilia from the Washington Capitals, Commanders, Wizards, and networking opportunities.
Preston Knowles, founder of Trusted Echo, stated, “Our mission is to foster a sense of community and connection, both locally and globally. We are fortunate to partner with local partners with global reach such as World Central Kitchen and those local partners right here in our DMW neighborhoods like Spur Local & MCG. We believe that everyone has the power to make a positive impact, no matter where they live or what their background is.”
Quotes From Partners:
"We are deeply grateful for partnerships like the one we have with Trusted Echo, which are crucial in amplifying the impact of our work,” said Matt Tripsas, Director of Community Fundraising at World Central Kitchen. “By coming together with like-minded organizations, we can extend our reach, raise critical funds, and continue providing nourishing meals to those in crisis around the world.”
“We see firsthand the difference that donating and volunteering with nonprofits makes over decades,” said Matt Gayer, Executive Director of Spur Local. “Generosity, like any other value, is a practice we strengthen over time. Whether it’s creating the space to learn about a local issue or engaging with people on-the-ground moving the needle on those issues, every step counts toward building a habit of generosity. And the ripple effect that comes from each of us taking action is what makes change possible.”
“At MCG, we believe in the power of movement and the local community to transform lives,” says Christie Horan, Founder of MCG and Head Coach, NFL Washington Commanders' Command Force. “Our high-energy classes, like Barre Sculpt, are designed to help you feel strong, confident, and empowered. We’re excited to partner with ‘Echoes of Giving’ to support World Central Kitchen. All proceeds from our class on December 3rd at FLEX will go directly to this incredible organization, helping to provide meals to those in need.”
About Trusted Echo
Trusted Echo is a brand that tells stories with its audience. The company is committed to creating high-quality content that is both informative and engaging. Trusted Echo believes in the power of storytelling to connect with people on a deeper level.
The company’s offerings include advertising, social media, market research, measurement & analytics, content, media, brand strategy, and name, image, and likeness promotion & measurement.
About World Central Kitchen
Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises. Applying its model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 400 million nourishing meals around the world. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, or emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need. Learn more at wck.org.
About Christie Horan
Christie Horan is an NFL dance coach, choreographer, and entrepreneur based in Washington, DC. Christie excels in hip hop, jazz, and pom, or as she likes to call it, the Pro-Dance Style. Christie is the Head Coach for the NFL Washington Commanders’ Command Force. She danced for 6 years as an NBA Dancer for the Washington Wizards (2014-2020), leading the team as a Captain and Co-Captain for 3 years. During her time with the Wizards Dancers, she coached the Wiz Kids Dance Team (2015-2020), performed internationally in Brazil, England, and China, and choreographed three routines for the team. Christie graduated from the University of Kentucky with a business degree. She danced on the University of Kentucky Dance Team for four years, competed with the team at UDA College Nationals (2011-2014), and led the team as captain her senior year. In addition to coaching Command Force, Christie is a fitness entrepreneur and community builder. Christie's mission is to help women feel strong, confident, and empowered through movement.
About Spur Local
At Spur Local, strengthening communities is our life’s work. As the region’s only locally-focused guide to civic engagement, we believe in the power of small nonprofits to spark big change together.
In 2003, we were founded by philanthropist Barbara Harman as the Catalogue for Philanthropy, an annual publication for donors to discover and support community-based nonprofits with limited capacity to tell their stories to a larger audience. Over the last 20 years, our organization has both raised nearly $60M for local nonprofits and grown to become the largest nonprofit capacity builder in the region, designing resources specifically for nonprofits operating with small teams and budgets.
Now, as Spur Local, we create a stronger, more resilient, and more equitable region by cultivating critical connections between residents and the nonprofits in their neighborhoods. We have raised more than $57 million for our network of 400+ small, local nonprofits, with 10,000+ donors giving through our portal. Knowing that sustainable organizations are key to facilitating change, we have trained over 25,000 nonprofit professionals, strengthening their skills in fundraising, marketing, leadership and management, and more.
Every year, we engage 150+ residents who live or work in the Greater Washington region to volunteer as part of our nonprofit review process, choosing nonprofits that are critical to our communities here, where we live. We then conduct site visits and financial reviews with the selected nonprofits trusted by our volunteer team before inducting 80+ nonprofits annually into a four-year partnership with us, all at completely no cost to them.
Our work is rooted in equity, collaboration, resiliency, empowerment, and community. We promote visibility, stimulate discussions and, together—as a sector, as a region, as neighbors—we are a catalyst for good.