The Race to Any Place is one of the marquee fundraising events for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).  The event raises money for research and patient services through the annual stationary bike race that takes place in the U.S. Steel Tower in Pittsburgh.  Local businesses and clubs donate to the LLS to secure a bike for their team, then rotate in fifteen minute shifts during the six hour event in an attempt to accumulate the most miles for their team.  Racers eagerly await their chance to compete, while party music, snacks, and prizes keep the teams pumped up for the cause. 

Team BKG, comprised of BKG employees and friends, has been a Gold Sponsor for the Race to Any Place since 2005.  The Team anticipates the Race in the preceding weeks, and arranges the day’s schedule to maximize BKG’s mileage total.  As each rider participates, other members of Team BKG are on hand to cheer each other on. 

Team BKG met its goal of biking over 100 miles, a goal that has been met since BKG’s participation in the Race to Any Place.   Team BKG is already anticipating next year’s event and the opportunity to help a wonderful cause.

In years past, BKG’s annual Christmas party consisted of a staff meeting and luncheon that focused on catching up with co-workers, reflecting on the year that had passed, and anticipating the year ahead. The Christmas party on December 16th, 2011, however, added a competitive edge to the celebrations when a pool tournament was introduced as the main attraction.

Along with news about the firm and updates about various employees’ activities shared during the morning’s staff meeting, challenges and friendly wagers for the tournament were thrown on the table for all to hear. Adding to the competitive atmosphere, a prize for the winner of the tournament was announced. After the meeting, all of BKG gathered in the Billiard Room of the Duquesne Club for the tournament. Key matchups for the first round were designated by head game keeper Tom based on skill level and previous pool experience (Tom himself went straight to the loser bracket).

The tournament progressed quickly, but a lunch break at a downtown Pittsburgh restaurant proved to be a great distraction from the impending semi-final matchups. The exciting conclusion of the tournament placed Tom against Ed, but Tom prevailed in an intense final game.

The competitive edge to BKG’s annual Christmas party was a great kick-off to the Holiday Season!

For the second year in a row, BKG participated in the Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ Holiday Project.  The Holiday Project, which collects donations to distribute to those who are in the Allegheny County Children, Youth, and Families network, seemed like another great way for BKG to continue its active support for charitable works that contribute to the greater good of the community where we live and work.

Instead of simply making a financial donation, this year BKG wanted to add a personal touch to the Project.  After the generous BKG contributions were tallied, BKG received a list of 30 children with specific wish lists.  BKG then took the role of Santa’s elves and split into small groups to get all of the shopping accomplished.  Over the next few weeks, the staff recounted stories of trips to local stores to select the perfect games, Steeler shirts, and accessories for the children.  As the gifts accumulated in the office, the staff couldn’t resist peeking in on all the wonderful gifts before they were picked up by the Holiday Project staff for distribution.

BKG was thrilled to be a part of the Holiday Project and to share their “gifts” of the Christmas spirit with those in the community who are most in need.

Members of the firm have been reaching out to local colleges for their best accounting students in search of an intern for the Summer of 2012.  During the fall of 2011, BKG will participate in job fairs at Duquesne University and Robert Morris University and in interview days at Saint Vincent College and the Accounting Consortium.  BKG enjoys participating in these events because they afford opportunities to interact with the up-and-coming accounting students and to help them with their goals.    

Interns at BKG are given challenging projects and significant responsibilities.  BKG hires interns with the expectation that they will function in the same manner as a full time staff accountant.  By doing so, BKG gives each intern the opportunity to participate in audit and consulting engagements and interact with clients under the supervision of the BKG engagement team.  Most important, however, interns get to participate in fun activities with other BKG employees during the course of the summer!

Good luck to all accounting students interviewing this fall!

Team BKG’s games are played on weeknights at a local softball field against other teams of Pittsburgh professionals.  The 2011 season had its fair share of rainouts due to several large summer storms and field lighting issues, but the Team did not get distracted.  In fact, Team BKG surpassed last season’s winning record and ended the season 11-1!

The season came down to a “two-part” championship game against Team Rand in a re-match of 2010’s championship game.  The first part of the game started out as a competitive contest against Rand, but the game had to be suspended due to more field lighting trouble.  When the game resumed, Team BKG pulled together to win the game, securing its status as “back-to-back” champions!

To celebrate the repeat as champions, Tom hosted a picnic at his home.  Team BKG’s fans and family members joined in congratulating the team on a great year with lots of food and an extremely competitive wiffle ball tournament. 

Congratulations to Team BKG on its second softball championship!

Celebration Day, August 19^th, turned out to be a day of perfect picnic weather.  BKG and friends took to the winding (and thankfully flat!) trails of Ohiopyle and had the opportunity to take in the sights of the Youghiogheny River on a nearly 17 mile bike ride.  Following the bike trail, everyone returned to a nearby pavilion for a cookout featuring many delicious dishes, several of which were prepared by “Master Chef” Brian.  Before everyone could get too relaxed, BKG was introduced to the invigorating world of Obscure Games.  Obscure Games is a local organization that creates games to challenge organizations to work together, be creative, and most importantly, have fun!  BKG’s competitive spirit showed through with games like Circle Football and Beat the Heat which not only got everyone running around but also kept the excitement going throughout the afternoon. 

BKG was pleased with another successful Anniversary Celebration that gave everyone the chance to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate another great year!

BKG hired two interns, Melissa and Nick, to help out with engagements and projects during the summer months.  Intern Day was declared to salute the interns for their diligent work with the firm.

One of the main activities for Intern Day, which was organized by BKG’s Office Manager, Karen, was a Scavenger Hunt for candy throughout the office.  With everyone in the office invited to participate with the interns, the race was on to see who could collect the most candy hidden in offices, conference rooms, and the kitchen area.  The competition was intense, especially because prizes were being awarded to those who found the most sweet treats located throughout the office!

The rest of the afternoon was bittersweet as everyone enjoyed their candy but said goodbye to the interns as they prepared to head back to school for the fall semester. 

Many thanks to Melissa and Nick for their help this summer!  Also, thanks to Karen for a fun-filled Friday activity!

Like other Pittsburghers, BKG was thrilled by the early summer successes of the 2011 Pirate team.  The Pirates were above “.500” at the All-Star break for the first time since 1992.  Even more remarkably, the Pirates were in first place in the NL Central in late July.

A group of enthusiastic BKG fans attended the Pirates game against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, August 1^st.  The BKG fans were more than optimistic for a Pirates victory, and joined the other PNC Park patrons in starting the “wave” and using noise makers.  Unfortunately, the cheers did not help to lift the Pirates who fell to the Cubs, 5 to 3.

Although the Pirates have struggled as the summer wanes, BKG fans and other Pittsburghers believe that their Buccos are on the road to bigger and better things in the future!

Let’s Go Bucs!

The Pittsburgh Marathon has become an incredibly popular event for the city since the race was reorganized with new sponsors in 2009.  Race directors strive to showcase Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and landmarks throughout the various marathon, half-marathon, and relay courses.  The half-marathon course conquered by Team BKG Speed consisted of a number of notable Pittsburgh neighborhoods, including the North Shore, the West End, and the South Side, and took the Team over four of Pittsburgh’s many bridges.  Another element of excitement on the course was the numerous Pittsburgh bands and music groups that played on the sidelines during the race.  The bands were meant to entertain the crowds and encourage the runners during their challenge.

Team BKG Speed was very pleased with their finish times; each of the four runners ran the 13.1 miles under the two hour and twenty minute mark.  A near photo finish between Ed and Tom generated some office debate (official times show Ed as the winner!), but also offered some encouragement for Team BKG Speed’s next race!

Congratulations to Team BKG Speed and their successful completion of the 2011 Half-Marathon!

Recently, the Commissioners and Human Services Lead of one of BKG’s PA County clients invited BKG to make a contribution to St. Baldrick’s Foundation.  St. Baldrick’s was founded in 2000 as a small fundraiser to benefit children with cancer.  The fundraiser quickly became a world-wide program and has raised to date over $110 million.  The accumulated funds are distributed as grants to research centers working tirelessly to find cures for childhood cancer.  Through these efforts, St. Baldrick’s strives to be a symbol of hope for infants, children, and young adults fighting cancer.

A well known tradition of donating to St. Baldrick’s is to shave your head in support of the children who lose their hair during cancer treatments.  Tom and Mike pledged to shave their heads if BKG came together to make a donation to St. Baldrick’s.  The BKG staff made a sizeable donation which was later generously matched by both Brian and Tom. 

As a result, on April 1, 2011, all of BKG watched as Tom and Mike had their heads shaved in support of St. Baldrick’s.  Although everyone enjoyed the opportunity to make fun of Tom and Mike over the next few days, BKG greatly appreciated the chance help children that deserve a cure for childhood cancer.

For more information on St. Baldrick’s Foundation, please see http://www.stbaldricks.org/.