Good Grows: VML Day Of Service Turns Global Action Into Local Impact

Johannesburg (23 Sept. 2026) Today, VML South Africa joins the VML network around the world in celebrating the 22nd annual Worldwide Foundation Day, its flagship global day of service, where employees lend their time, talent and resources to local communities. 

More than 26 000 employees across 55+ markets will take part in volunteer projects supporting non-profits and community organisations focused on environmental conservation, food security, education, health and youth development.   

VML’s collective effort has demonstrated measurable scale. In 2025, employees contributed more than 9 000 volunteer hours across nearly 300 projects benefiting 150+ non-profit organisations worldwide. This year, VMLers are once again coming together to turn a single day of service into momentum that extends well beyond.  

Formalised in 2005, VML Worldwide Foundation Day builds on a tradition of employee-led volunteer teams at the local level. The annual event connects VMLers around a shared purpose while allowing teams to respond to the needs of the communities where they live and work. 

This year's theme, "Good Grows," reflects the idea that acts of service take root, grow and create lasting impact – both for the causes VML supports and for its people. As the industry's largest synchronised charitable corporate impact day, the program underscores the importance of supporting the communities that help sustain businesses.  

"Every year, I'm inspired by joining more than 26 000 VMLers around the world to step up for the communities we call home,” said Jon Cook, Global CEO, VML and WPP Creative. “It's a powerful reminder that our impact isn't limited to the work we do for clients – it's in the lives we touch and the causes we champion together.”  

VML Worldwide Foundation Day is a signature feature of the agency's community outreach programme and an expression of the agency’s Human First philosophy. In addition to VML's dedication to Impact & Inclusion, career growth and development, and employee well-being, the VML Foundation is a powerful investment in its employees and the charitable causes they champion. 

Here in South Africa, Cape Town teams will be supporting The Under Dog Project, Help a Rural Child, Matla a Bana and Starling Primary. Johannesburg teams will support One Small Act of Kindness, Tomorrow Trust, Ladles of Love, Earthly Touch Foundation, Johannesburg Children’s Home, Kindness Like Confetti and Golang Outreach.

"One day of service creates momentum that carries through the other 364,” said Lauren Ziegler, Executive Director, VML Foundation. “It's a reminder that giving back isn't separate from our culture. It's part of how we work together. The best days of service don't end when employees head home; they shape how people lead, collaborate and show up for one another and our communities all year long.” 

To learn more, visit vml.com/foundation and follow VML's Foundation Day activities via #WeAreVML. 

CONTACT
Cheryl Hunter
[email protected]

 ABOUT VML 

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.  

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.  

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

This year, VML employees will donate their time and talents to hundreds of non-profit and community organisations. 

 APAC 

• Auckland, New Zealand – Project details are being finalised. 
• Brisbane, Australia – Project details are being finalised. 
• China – Employees will recognise delivery workers by distributing practical care packages that support them in their daily work while celebrating the "Good Grows" spirit of giving back. 
• Hong Kong – Teams will support four nonprofit organisations through meal packing, logistics assistance, Ronald McDonald House housekeeping, and animal care volunteering. 
• India (Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore & Chennai) – Employees will introduce young people to careers in advertising, mentor creative challenges, and prepare educational materials through WPP India Foundation. 
• Noida, India – VML Enterprise Solutions will host an AI for Future Skills workshop to help young people build practical AI literacy. 
• Indonesia – Volunteers will support an animal welfare organisation through a "Paws & Care Day" of service. 
• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Project details are being finalised. 
• Melbourne, Australia – Volunteers will support the Fight Cancer Foundation through house volunteering, a blood donation drive, and a pro bono marketing challenge. 
• Perth, Australia (Sept. 25) – Teams will volunteer with Foodbank to sort, pack, and distribute food for community partners. 
• Philippines – Project details are being finalised. 
• Singapore – Employees will prepare and deliver meals through Willing Hearts and celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with beneficiaries through arts and crafts activities. 
• Sydney, Australia (Sept. 28) – Teams will support Foodbank, participate in a blood donation drive, and provide pro bono marketing support for the Choir of Hard Knocks. 
• Taiwan – Employees will participate in a community clean-up to create greener, more sustainable neighbourhoods. 
• Thailand – Teams will provide educational supplies to students in underserved communities. 
• Vietnam (Sept. 25) – Volunteers will provide books and essential supplies to children at an orphanage while supporting a local blood hospital. 
• Wellington, New Zealand – Volunteers will cultivate community gardens at Innermost Gardens. 

EMEA 

• Athens, Greece – Teams will build modular sensory gardens for local kindergartens. 
• Berlin, Germany – Employees will strengthen a youth and cultural centre through hands-on improvements and strategic communications support. 
• Budapest, Hungary (Sept. 25) – Volunteers will complete a rowing-based lake clean-up to support environmental conservation. 
• Cairo, Egypt (Sept. 23) – Employees will pack school bags and food parcels for children and families in need. 
• Casablanca, Morocco – Teams will prepare and distribute meals to people experiencing homelessness in partnership with Jood. 
• Dubai, UAE – Employees will pack and deliver meals through Companies for Good. 
• Düsseldorf, Germany – Volunteers will renovate and brighten a local kindergarten. 
• Frankfurt, Germany – Teams will improve outdoor play spaces at a local kindergarten. 
• Istanbul, Türkiye – Employees will distribute meals to people experiencing homelessness while collecting pet food donations for local animal organisations. 
• Italy (Milan & Rome) – Volunteers will support at-risk youth and paediatric health, in addition to leading a pro bono project for a local organisation benefiting autistic children and their families. 
• Jordan (Amman) – Volunteers will spend the day with children at Mar Mansour Charitable Society through games, activities, and shared meals. 
• Lebanon – Teams will partner with SWIM Initiative to restore Lebanon's coastline through a community beach clean-up. 
• Luxembourg – Employees will spend the day protecting local forests through hands-on conservation work with Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur. 
• Munich, Germany – Volunteers will support a community street play event for children. 
• Paris, France – Project details are being finalised. 
• Prague, Czechia – Employees will walk, run, or cycle to raise charitable funding through movement. 
• Saudi Arabia (Week of Sept. 13–17) – Employees will collect clothing and essential items for families across the Kingdom. 
• South Africa (Cape Town, Durban & Johannesburg Sept. 23rd) – Offices will support local community organisations focused on children, animal welfare, and food insecurity. 
• Spain – Volunteers will support a local animal shelter. 
• United Kingdom – Teams will complete a sponsored charity walk, organise food and gift donations, and participate in additional community service projects.