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website, Helping Hand Partners’ mission is to effect change in
the lives of individuals and the business practices of companies
through corporate social responsibility.
Helping Hand Partners works with more than 17 social
enterprise and fair trade organizations, both stateside and
globally, that make and sell products dedicated to
social sustainability. “Our partners help individuals
overcome barriers to employment and self-suffi-
ciency by providing job opportunities and
valuable social programming for those
who are disadvantaged, hard-to-hire, and
developmentally and physically chal-
lenged,” says Dena Hirschberg, vice
president of marketing and sales.
“While each partner organization has
its own purpose, all of our partners
are dedicated to helping people
improve their lives.”
Hirschberg says the company has
given its mission the name Green+™
and offers opportunities for compa-
nies to practice not only environ-
mental sustainability but social sus-
tainability, too. “At the same time, we
provide mentoring to our partners and help them be better at
business.”
The organization is thriving. Hirschberg
says it experienced a 75-percent growth rate
last year over the previous year. “It was a con-
fluence of things: drive and will, and a lot of
time spent on educating people. Business has
grown. Companies are hearing and under-
standing. It is a consumer-driven trend,” she
says. “Corporate social responsibility has
become a top driver—and consumers are will-
ing to be more supportive of a brand because
of it.”
Hirschberg explains that Helping Hands
is developing this market within the promo-
tional products industry. “This helps compa-
nies get their name out there. Companies care
about presenting themselves as socially
responsible. Their web page shows their
commitment to being green, being socially
responsible or donating to charities,” she says.
“Utilizing eco-friendly and Green+ to pro-
mote your company is very new. Companies
that are forward thinking, grab on to it. It is
part of their DNA,” Hirschberg says. “The
concept of sustainability goes beyond
products
―
it helps communities and people in need. It’s about
the people.”
Hirschberg says some of the challenges the company faces
are at both ends of the spectrum. Some
clients care about social responsibility,
and they seek out his company. Others
care only about the quality, and then
they, too, find some of the products
offered by Helping Hand Partners.
Most of the products are eco-friendly:
recyclable products, reclaimed wood,
and barware and glassware made from
repurposed wine bottles.
“Once I talk to the client and tell
them about the social responsibility
aspect, it is a tipping point. What’s better
than social responsibility? It sets a brand
apart from others.”
Pamela Fields Webb is a writer and public rela-
tions and marketing consultant. Green is her favorite
color. She consistently fills her recycle bin to the brim with
used newspapers and magazines. She contributes to various publi-
cations in the promotional products industry and is former editor of
PPAI’s
Promotional Consultant
digital magazine and
Promotional Consultant Today
e-newsletter.
“Corporate social
responsibility has
become a top driver—
and consumers are
willing to be more
supportive of a brand
because of it.”
—Dena Hirschberg
Dena Hirschberg
APRIL 2015 •
PPB
• 33
SEEING
GREEN