Delta Dental of Massachusetts joined Groundwork Somerville employees during Mission Month to tackle projects such as painting, preparing a vegetation bed for the next harvest, vegetable picking and installing a rainwater irrigation system.

Over 300 employees donated 900 hours of volunteer service during fifth annual Mission Month

 Delta Dental of Massachusetts, the largest provider of dental benefits in the state, held its fifth annual Mission Month, a period of service for employees to give back to the company’s home state of Massachusetts. Throughout the month, volunteers engaged with seven organizations that are spearheading change through education efforts, community support, nature preservation and more.

“We are honored to join such impactful organizations within our very own state of Massachusetts,” said Dennis Leonard, president of Delta Dental of Massachusetts. “This year’s Mission Month theme of ‘Beautifying the Community’ came to life as we volunteered in the neighborhoods that we not only work in, but reside in as well. We take immense pride in assisting these programs that in turn support our friends, families, neighbors and co-workers.”

During Mission Month, Delta Dental of Massachusetts employees volunteered at the local Charlestown Lacrosse & Learning Center by building picnic tables and planter boxes for the urban garden. Altogether, more than 300 employees donated more than 900 hours during this year’s initiative.

Throughout Mission Month, 315 employees volunteered 910 hours in Massachusetts. Activities included beautifying the Mystic River, its tributaries and the watershed lands; rejuvenating community gardens at local elementary schools; and writing letters and cards to U.S. troops stationed around the world, among other projects.

The fifth annual Mission Month adds to the thousands of employee volunteer hours provided since the initiative began in 2012 as a day of service.

For more information on activities and photos from Mission Month 2016, explore the hashtag #MissionMonth2016 and visit Delta Dental of Massachusetts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DeltaDentalMA, Instagram @deltadentalofma and Twitter @DeltaDentalofMA.