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All engineering firms are invested in the appearance of their neighborhood, but the people at MacKay & Sposito Inc. are also committed to building the philanthropic spirit that makes communities thrive. Since 2008, the employees of the firm, their families and hundreds of volunteers have teamed up to build a nature park, plant almost 20,000 trees, and clean up 32 tons of garbage.

When Donald MacKay and Richard Sposito established the firm 37 years ago, they ensured that a commitment to service would be among the firm’s core values. That charitable spirit was recently reawakened by Make a Difference Day.

Since USA Weekend magazine sponsored the first Make a Difference Day in 1990, the event has grown into a national tradition. On the fourth Saturday of October, companies, organizations and individuals around the country take part in projects to improve their communities.

In 2008, MacKay & Sposito teamed up with Vancouver general contractor Nutter Corporation and the Vancouver Watersheds Council on their first, relatively small clean-up project at a local school. Due to the trio’s genuine commitment to making a difference in Vancouver, the effort has kept growing in the community.

“It’s easier to write a check and not be as connected to how you’re giving back,” Lisa Schauer, vice-president of MacKay & Sposito, said. “But it’s truly exciting to see the level of commitment from our owner group, leading by example, and then to have so many employees getting involved and giving back.”

Damon Webster is one such leader. As an owner of MacKay & Sposito as well as chairman of the Vancouver Watersheds Council, Webster provides a unique link between the two organizations.

“Damon has taken real ownership from both sides,” Schauer said. “We’re seeing a different level of commitment from our owner group…and we feel really good about leading the effort to make these projects happen.”

MacKay & Sposito’s effort is inspiring because the spirit really does seem to impact everyone involved in the firm.

“Everybody gets closer after you spend a day out in the mud planting trees,” said Schauer. “Something funny occurs that can only be shared by those who participated. We’re a multidisciplinary firm, so when people from different backgrounds come together to volunteer a lot of bridges are built, which makes for a better community back in the office.”

The firm is currently in the early stages of planning projects for the 2011 Make a Difference Day, and the tradition doesn’t show signs of ending anytime soon.

“Probably my best moment was having the partners and leadership embrace Make a Difference Day and allow us to keep doing it,” Schauer said. “Now we’re three years into it, it’s been a highly successful community project, and if we weren’t doing it, our community would suffer. The results have been incredible.

What was the biggest challenge your firm has come up against during the recent recession?

“There were many challenges we have encountered: securing stable revenue, evolving our services to meet our clients’ needs today and tomorrow, retaining and finding talent, keeping employees motivated and committed. I am not sure there was just one challenge.”

How did the firm manage to not just survive, but thrive?

“Staying true to our core mission, continuing to invest in our community. We knew giving back to our community gives back to our firm and our people.”

What piece of advice would you give engineering firms just starting up?

“I heard this great quote that has stuck with me … what will you do today that will matter tomorrow? Give generously not to win work but because it’s the right thing to do.”