Community outreach

The Heart Walk

One relationship which we are particularly proud of is our special bond with the American Heart Association (“AHA”).

After the passing of their patriarch, Jack I. Bender, in 1966 due to heart disease, Blake and the Bender family have generously raised and donated millions of dollars to the American Heart Association in support of their research, education, and community health projects in the DC region.

From 1981 to 1989 Blake sponsored the “Annual Blake Heart Run for Life”. Since then, Blake and the Bender family have continuously been one of the top annual fundraisers for what is now known as the AHA’s Greater Washington Region Heart Walk on the National Mall.

Every year we also look forward to sporting our brightest reds for National Wear Red Day (for women’s heart health awareness) and getting our steps in on National Walking Day (to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living).

Volunteering

Every year, Blake employees join the hard-working volunteers on the Apartment and Office Building Association’s (AOBA) Community Service Committee, in support of Washington area schools and nonprofits. Some of these charitable events include:

• Cleanup and Challenge Days at the James E. Duckworth School in Prince George’s County, a school for children with disabilities. At Clean-Up Day, volunteers work to clean, landscape, and enhance the school’s grounds and interior spaces. At Challenge Day, volunteers cheer on students as they participate in Special Olympics activities.
• The Potomac River Watershed Cleanup, where volunteers pick up all kinds of trash along the banks of the Potomac before it can make its way into the river.
• AOBA Sleep Out, where volunteers give up their beds and spend a night out on the streets as a way to raise funds and awareness for youth experiencing homelessness in our region. The Sleep Out raises critical funds to help charities like the Covenant House provide 24/7 shelter, sanctuary, and support to the DMV’s struggling youth.